Latest news with #Buddha'sBirthday
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Buddha Purnima 2025: Date, timings, history, significance and all you need to know about Buddha's Birthday
Buddha Purnima 2025: Buddha's Birthday, also called Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Day, is a major Buddhist festival observed across much of South, Southeast, and East Asia. The sacred occasion of Buddha Purnima commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who later attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, founding Buddhism. Celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaisakha (typically in April or May), the day is marked by deep devotion, with Buddhists taking part in a variety of spiritual rituals and religious observances. From date to timings, here's all you need to know. (Also read: Mother's Day wishes: 120+ images, greetings, WhatsApp and Facebook status to celebrate mom's infinite love ) This year, the 2587th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha will be celebrated on Monday, May 12. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious timings to observe the occasion are as follows: Purnima Tithi begins -08:01 PM on May 11, 2025 Purnima Tithi ends -10:25 PM on May 12, 2025 Though the exact dates of Buddha's birth and death remain uncertain, historians generally place his life between 563–483 BC. Born in Lumbini, Nepal, Gautam Buddha attained Nirvana at the age of 35. Buddha Purnima is a day dedicated to reflecting on Buddhism's core teachings: peace, compassion, and enlightenment. In certain regions of South and Southeast Asia, the day aligns with Vesak, which also commemorates Buddha's enlightenment and his passing into Nirvana. The festival serves as an opportunity to promote messages of harmony and inner peace. In Buddhism, the full moon holds deep spiritual significance, as three pivotal moments in Gautam Buddha's life are believed to have occurred on this day. The full moon in May is particularly sacred: first, it marks the birth of Prince Siddhartha at Lumbini Grove; second, it commemorates his enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya after six years of intense spiritual pursuit; and third, it signifies his passing into Nibbana (Nirvana) at Kusinara at the age of eighty, marking his release from the cycle of rebirth after 45 years of teaching.
Korea Herald
09-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul shares snap 3-day rise on profit hunting
South Korean stocks fell slightly to end a three-session winning streak Friday as investors hunted for profits by dumping battery and bank shares despite eased tariff woes on a US-Britain trade deal. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 2.21 points, or 0.09 percent, to close at 2,577.27. The index had risen for three consecutive sessions since Friday. The local financial market was closed Monday and Tuesday for the Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday holidays. Trade volume was moderate at 478.2 million shares worth 7.73 trillion won ($5.52 billion), with losers beating winners 535 to 353. Institutions sold a net 187 billion won to lead the daily drop, while foreigners and individuals bought a net 67.3 billion won and 63.1 billion won, respectively. Overnight, US stocks ended higher as a trade agreement between Washington and London boosted hopes for other countries' tariff negotiations. In Seoul, however, battery and bank shares were the lead decliners. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution fell 2.9 percent to 318,000 won, and Posco Future M sank 4.74 percent to 120,500 won. Major lender KB Financial Group lost 2.65 percent to 92,000 won, and Shinhan Financial Group shed 0.39 percent to 50,700 won. Major shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean declined 0.62 percent to 79,800 won, and flagship air carrier Korean Air retreated 2.22 percent to 22,050 won. However, tech giant Samsung Electronics rose 0.37 percent to 54,800 won, and top carmaker Hyundai Motor increased 1.5 percent to 189,900 won. Naver, the No. 1 online portal operator, added 1.22 percent to 191,000 won, and defense firm Korea Aerospace Industries jumped 5.44 percent to 93,100 won. The local currency was trading at 1,400 won against the dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 3.4 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
08-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul shares rise for 3rd day on battery, retail gains
South Korean stocks increased for the third consecutive session Thursday driven by gains in battery and retail shares. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 5.68 points, or 0.22 percent, to close at 2,579.48, rising for three straight sessions since Friday. The local financial market closed on Monday and Tuesday for the Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday holidays. Trade volume was moderate at 465.2 million shares worth 10.2 trillion won ($7.29 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 530 to 341. Foreign investors led the daily gain, purchasing a net 130 billion won, while institutions and individuals dumped a net 170 billion won and 20.6 billion won, respectively. Overnight, the US Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged, citing still higher inflation and unemployment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.7 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.27 percent. In Seoul, battery shares ended strong as industry leader LG Energy Solution increased 1.55 percent to 327,500 won and POSCO Future M went up 3.1 percent to 126,500 won. Leading retailer Shinsegae added 0.82 percent to 159,600 won and Hyundai Department Store jumped 5.08 percent to 62,100 won. Instant noodle giant Samyang Food rose 2.32 percent to 972,000 won, while Nongshim climbed 0.86 percent to 412,000 won. Defense firm LIG Nex1 vaulted 10.7 percent to 372,500 won on a strong first-quarter earnings report. However, semiconductors closed in mixed territory. Chip giant Samsung Electronics stayed unchanged at 54,600 won, but its rival SK hynix lost 0.26 percent to 190,300. The local currency was trading at 1,396.6 won against the dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 1.4 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
07-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul shares rise for 2nd day on US-China talks; won jumps to 5-month high
South Korean stocks rose for the second consecutive session Wednesday driven by hopes for US-China trade negotiations. The local currency rose to a five-month high against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 14.01 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 2,573.80, following a 0.12 percent gain on Friday. The local financial market closed on Monday and Tuesday for the Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday holidays. Trade volume was moderate at 538.5 million shares worth 8.79 trillion won ($6.29 billion), with gainers closely outnumbering decliners 460 to 415. Institutions bought a net 348.6 billion won worth of stocks and institutions scooped up a net 87.3 billion won, while individuals dumped a net 464.7 billion won. Investors were buoyed by the US-China trade talks scheduled for this weekend in Switzerland. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and China's Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead their respective negotiations teams. In Seoul, tech, shipbuilding, tourism and defense shares drove the daily increase. Tech giant Samsung Electronics rose 0.55 percent to 54,600 won, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix advanced 2.58 percent to 190,800 won. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering rose 0.9 percent to 280,000 won, and Hanwha Ocean went up 1.9 percent to 80,400 won. A stronger local currency pushed up stocks of air carriers and travel agencies. Flagship carrier Korean Air soared 7.86 percent to 22,650 won, and Hana Tour Service jumped 3.9 percent to 53,300 won. Top defense firm Hanwha Aerospace vaulted 8.8 percent to 890,000 won, and LIG Nex1 added 1.97 percent to 336,500 won. However, bio shares went south as leading pharma Celltrion dropped 1.29 percent to 160,300 won, and Samsung Biologics declined 4.06 percent to 1.04 million won. The local currency was trading at 1,398 won against the US dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 7.3 won from the previous session. It marked the highest level since Nov. 30, 2024, when the currency was quoted at 1,394.7 won. Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 2.9 basis points to 2.253 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds dropped 1.5 basis points to 2.379 percent. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Unionized Seoul bus drivers to resume 'work-to-rule' protest after long weekend
Unionized bus drivers in Seoul will resume their "work-to-rule" protest this week following a long holiday weekend, city officials said Tuesday. In a press release, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said the union will launch its collective action early Wednesday and the city will take "special steps" to minimize inconveniences to the public. With the work-to-rule protest, bus drivers adhere to driving safety measures, including not overtaking other vehicles and waiting for passengers to find their seats before departing stops. These moves are expected to slow down bus operations. After the wage talks between the union and the management side broke down last week, the unionized drivers staged a one-day work-to-rule protest on Wednesday. But they provided full services during the Saturday-Tuesday long weekend, which included Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday on Monday. The union has demanded an 8.2 percent increase in base pay and raising the retirement age from 63 to 65, while the management has called for lowering the standard wage by reforming the wage system. (Yonhap)
