Nirvana day, or Parinirvana Day, is a holiday celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists. It is a celebration marking the day that the Buddha is said to have achieved complete Nirvana and left the physical world for the last time. The death of the Buddha is celebrated because it is believed that his enlightenment freed him from the pain and suffering of physical existence.
The word Nirvana means “to extinguish”. It is a state of bliss or peace that can be experienced in this life, or entered into upon physical death. When this state is reached through the process of enlightenment, suffering is completely eliminated.
On Nirvana day, passages are read from the Nirvana Sutra, that describe the details of the Buddha’s last days on Earth. Meditation rituals provide a time to reflect on one’s own future death and the passing of loved one’s. This process illustrates the Buddhist teachings of impermanence. This holiday is a solemn occasion, where Buddhists reflect on how they might attain the complete freedom and ultimate peace promised by entering the final state of Nirvana.
On this day, many visit Buddhist temples and monasteries, where meditation retreats are held. Gifts of money, food and household items are offered to the monks by the visitors. Commemoration ceremonies are often held to honor the life and teachings of the Buddha.
The Buddha left this world at age 80, surrounded by his monks. Knowing his life was at an end, he urged his monks to continue his teachings, which would help people throughout the coming ages. He assured his adherents that he had withheld no spiritual knowledge or teachings from them. He encouraged the monks to find their own liberation, and to give others the tools and wisdom to do the same. His last recorded words were “All conditioned things are subject to decay. Strive for liberation with diligence.”
In Buddhism, death is not a subject of fear to be avoided as many other cultures do. It is believed that to understand death, is to know the value of life. Life and death are seen as a continuous cycle and that we are born, die and are reborn again through reincarnation. Once enlightenment has been attained, the endless cycles of birth and death are overcome, and the soul returns to its source. Death is honored as the key to understanding life.
There are many items that can be used to enhance your meditation practice and to welcome the peace and love of nirvana into your home or sacred space. Praying monk statues can be placed in the home or garden to serve as a visual reminder of the path towards Nirvana. Tapestries depicting the Buddha in a serene, meditative state are also an excellent way to welcome peace and tranquility into the home.
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