Buddha Purnima, also known as Buddha Jayanti, is celebrated on May 1 in India and Nepal, while it falls on May 19 in Southeast Asian countries. This festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama, who became known as the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. The term "Purnima" means "full moon" in Sanskrit, indicating that the celebration occurs on a full moon day. The festival is part of a larger celebration called Vesak, which honors key events in Buddha's life. Although Buddha's followers did not officially celebrate his birthday for many centuries, the formal recognition of Buddha Purnima took place in modern times during a conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Typical customs may include meditation, prayers, and acts of kindness, reflecting the Buddha's teachings on non-violence and respect for life.