So both Buddha Poornima and Guru Poornima are celebrated on full moon days (that’s what “Poornima” literally means in Sanskrit — full moon), but they’re not the same thing, and here’s why:

🧘‍♂️ Buddha Poornima = Birthday Bash + Enlightenment Day
Buddha Poornima is like the ultimate triple event for Buddhists: it celebrates the Buddha’s birth, the day he achieved enlightenment, and the day he passed into Nirvana — all said to have happened on the same full moon day in the month of Vaishakha (usually in April/May). So it’s strictly a Buddha thing — it’s personal and sacred to his life.

🧙‍♂️ Guru Poornima = Teacher Appreciation Day, Ancient India edition
This one lands on a totally different full moon day in Ashadha month (usually July). It’s more about paying respect to all teachers or “gurus” — especially spiritual ones. The OG guru Vyasa (yep, the guy who compiled the Vedas and wrote the Mahabharata) is the main figure here. So this is more rooted in Hindu tradition.

So yeah — different people, different vibes, different months.

🗓️ Quick recap:

• Buddha Poornima = Buddhist holiday (Sanatan) (Vaishakha Purnima, April/May)

• Guru Poornima = Hindu/Vedic holiday (Ashadha Purnima, July)

Even though some people think of Buddha as a guru (and he 100% was), the days aren’t merged ’cause the traditions, timings, and reasons to celebrate are totally separate.