Buddhist: Celebrating Buddha’s transition in Parinirvana

February 15, 2013 by

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15: In a religion that embraces the impermanence of life, a leader’s death is celebrated with great joy: Today, Mahayana Buddhists remember the death of Buddha, on Parinirvana Day. (Though some marked Parinirvana on February 8, most will honor it today.)

Following four decades of teaching, texts describe the 80-year-old Buddha’s last days as full of intense meditation. Close to his death, the Buddha readied for the transition from living nirvana—that state achieved after Enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree—to Parinirvana, or “completed nirvana,” which can only occur after physical death. (View a scroll depiction of Buddha’s death, dated from 14th century Japan, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.)

As the final hour drew near, Buddha talked to his disciples about four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, Enlightenment, first sermon, and death. Finally, he warned them not to “hinder” themselves with his remains, but to focus instead on their own states of liberation.

Ancient texts detail Buddha’s final days on earth, as he traveled with disciples through the villages of India. When he reached Kusinara, or the present-day town of Kushinagar, he knew the end was near. Buddha instructed his disciple of 20 years, Ananada, to make a bed for him with the head turned “toward the north between two Sal trees.” Ananda did as he was asked, and the Buddha released his final breaths on the prepared bed. (Details are at Buddhanet.) Today, an enormous sculpture carved from a single block of red sandstone depicts Buddha on this bed, with his head to the north. The sculpture, rests in an Indian temple; it is flanked by three other scultpures, depicting the three disciples who were with Buddha when he died.

Today, Mahayana Buddhists across East Asia and the world read Buddha’s final words on Parinirvana, reflecting on their own journeys toward nirvana (release from the cycle of death and rebirth). Many devotees also bring gifts of food, money and household items to local temples and monasteries. (Listen to an online Parinirvana Dharmabyte Podcast, free via iTunes, courtesy of The Buddhist Centre.)

New Years: Buddhists and Jews restart calendars

January 23, 2013 by

SUNSET FRIDAY, JANUARY 25: Jews celebrate the New Year of the Trees, also known as Tu Bishvat.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27: Buddhists in the main Mahayana movement mark their new year on the first full moon day of January. The Interfaith Observer website explains the holiday this way: This celebration falls on the first full moon day in January for Buddhists who practice in the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) stream. By contrast, in Theravadin countries (Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Laos) the new year is celebrated in April, while Tibetan Buddhists generally celebrate it in March.

“The world’s secular calendar resets on January 1, but there are many other calendars that Americans commonly use: the school calendar, the tax calendar, sports calendars and others. So, we already are familiar with the idea that the world has many different calendars all running and restarting around us,” explains Joe Lewis, the founder of the Singlish Publication Society and the author of books that help people enjoy Jewish holidays even if they are not familiar with Hebrew. “In Judaism, there is more than one calendar and more than one new year’s day, as well. Tu Bishvat is the new year for fruit trees.”

Ancient associations with Tu Bishvat are more complex. (Learn more from Judaism 101.) Most Jews today seize Tu Bishvat (literally “Fifteenth of Shevat”) as a Jewish Arbor Day and celebration of ecological awareness. European Jews feast on dried fruits and nuts, while others eat fruits of the land of Israel, including wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. (Aish.com offers tempting recipes, such as Almond Milk Pudding with Pomegranates.) The Jewish National Fund now schedules massive tree-planting events every Tu Bishvat.

EFFORTS TO REPLANT CARMEL FOREST ON TU BISHVAT

When a fire ravaged 6,000 acres of Israel’s Carmel Forest in December 2010, fear loomed that the forest would never reclaim its past glory. Yet even as the trees regenerate naturally and fire prevention awareness spreads, a large-scale effort provided future hope. (Read more at the JTA News Service.) On Jan. 18—just ahead of Tu Bishvat—Israelites came from far and wide to participate in tree planting. The effort was the first of its kind since the fire.

Buddhist: String lights of Enlightenment on Bodhi Day

December 8, 2012 by

Photo courtesy of FotopediaSATURDAY, DECEMBER 8: Finding their own place in the bustling holiday season, many Buddhists enjoy singing “O Ficus Tree” and stringing multicolored lights around their homes—meditating on the enlightenment of the historical Buddha on Bodhi Day. For many Buddhists, spreading the season’s light means quiet meditation and charitable giving. Another traditional act of compassion is the release of an animal that has been held in captivity.

The Pali Canon describes the Enlightenment of Buddha as occurring in three stages: the viewing of past lives and the cycle of rebirth; the discovery of the Law of Karma and the importance of the Eightfold Path; and the Four Noble Truths, which led to Nirvana. In honor of these vital stages, some Buddhists today hang three jeweled bulbs from a potted ficus tree.

Though the paths to Enlightenment are many—as is symbolized by the various colors in strung lights—the end result is always the three stages of that fateful night in 596 BCE. Adherents use Bodhi Day and the 30 days following as a reminder that each person plays a vital part in the vast, interconnected universe.

Siddhartha Gautama Buddha’s story begins in luxury, as a Nepali with the best education and a promising set of capabilities. Though his parents had spent much time preparing him for the lucrative family business, Siddhartha had seen too much sickness and suffering during his travels to ignore the seeming emptiness of life. (Wikipedia has details.) The Buddha-to-be soon left his comfort zone, spending years in extreme ascetic practices and studying under a variety of known teachers of the era. He starved himself, trying one discipline after another, until he vowed to sit beneath a Bodhi tree until he had the answers he sought. Days of meditation ensued, until Siddhartha discovered the root of suffering. From that night on, he became known as Buddha—the Enlightened One. (Wonder what the Buddha might be like today? Check out a UK version of the story, set in modern times, that involves the Rockefellers, Deepak Chopra and Harvard.)

The story goes that Buddha was offered milk and rice to regain strength following Enlightenment, and some families engage in this same breakfast on Bodhi Day. For others, Bo tree cookies are distributed to family and friends. (Bodhi leaves are heart-shaped. Get more ideas from Family Dharma.)

While Buddhist holidays can vary by sect, Bodhi Day is observed in several Mahayana traditions, including Zen; and Bodhi Day rings in China, Korea, Japan and Vietnam (in Japan, Bodhi Day is known as Rohatsu).

BUDDHISM REBORN IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY

Six years of intense restoration has rebuilt the Zhong Zheng Dian in Beijing, a Buddhist architectural complex that had formerly lay in ruin for almost a century following a massive fire. The New York Times reported dozens of elite guests present to witness the opening of the Hall of Rectitude—the center of Tibetan Buddhism during China’s last imperial dynasty. Though relations between the Beijing government and Tibetans remain tense, the Palace Museum revealed approximately 20,000 Tibetan Buddha statues dating from the 7th through the 20th centuries, along with thousands of other Tibetan artifacts. Curators report that the pieces, all accompanied by detailed records, have never been seen by the “outside world.” The complex will open to the public in approximately two years.

BUDDHISM RISES IN INDIA

Indian developers also are hoping to see a rise in Buddhist tourism. The country’s tourism officials are announcing plans to restore Buddhist sites that were previously in ruins. (News Track India has the story.) While safety was previously an issue in some regions of India, current peaceful conditions have prompted the refurbishing of these sites.

Filed Under: Buddhist

Thanksgiving at Autumnal Equinox, Mabon, Higan

September 22, 2012 by

Welcome fall—on the autumnal equinox. Photo in public domain courtesy of geograph.org.ukSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: Leaves are turning crimson and orange, fragrant cider is pouring—it must be autumn! American Thanksgiving is still two months away, but there are ancient associations with thankfulness at this time of year—it’s also a major theme in the Jewish High Holy Days.

Today is the Autumnal Equinox, a day when the tilt of the Earth’ axis is parallel with the sun and day and night appear to be equal in length. Don’t be fooled by loose translations, though—the equinox is actually a moment in time when the subsolar point is on the Equator. In other words—the place on Earth where the center of the Sun can be seen directly overhead. (Wikipedia has details.) On the autumnal equinox, the subsolar point crosses the Equator while moving southward. For science enthusiasts: Ponder the enormous intensity and radiation that the sun emits on geostationary satellites during the days around an equinox. The emissions are so powerful that they degrade satellite circuits! Now that’s some major power.

MABON: BORROWING FROM WELSH MYTH & KING ARTHUR

Now here’s something rare in our holidays column—a holiday tradition that dates from the 1970s. That’s when modern Pagan writer and activist Aidan Kelly began promoting the name Mabon for the equinox festival. Mabon is a legendary character in Welsh culture. Supposedly, he was a cousin of the great King Arthor, who plays a role in saving Mabon’s life at one point. Kelly went on to found the influential Pagan organization Covenant of the Goddess, which promotes civil rights for modern Wiccans among other things. Here is the Covenant of the Goddess website, where you can also find a summary of the current understanding of Mabon among Pagans and Wiccans. The site says, in part:

This day sees light and dark in balance again, before the descent to the dark times. A harvest festival is held, thanking the Goddess for giving us enough sustenance to feed us through the winter. Harvest festivals of many types still occur today in farming country, and Thanksgiving is an echo of these.

Typical practices include expressing thankfulness, while reflecting on the past year, plus feasting on nuts, apples and root vegetables.

Japanese Buddhists reflect on crossing to the “shore of Enlightenment” during Higan. Photo in public domain courtesy of jasondunn.comHIGAN FOR JAPANESE BUDDHISTS

Japanese Buddhists honor ancestors on Higan, an autumnal equinox holiday. For the living, this also involves an assessment of one’s own life today—and efforts to freshly make amends. The etymology of higan means “the other shore of Sanzu River,” referring to the shore of Enlightenment and peace that all humans strive to reach.

AN EQUINOX CAR … AND A HIGAN TREE

It appears that Chevrolet took a cue from Mother Nature when creating the Chevrolet Equinox, and this hot new car is continuing to gain momentum among consumers. Through August, the Equinox came up No. 2 on the Chevy bestseller list, landing only behind the Chevrolet Cruze compact car. (Read an article in the Detroit News.)

If gratitude is the name of the game this time of year, admire the beauty of the Autumn Flowering Higan Cherry tree! Robust and tolerant to cold, the Higan Cherry flowers during autumn. (Order this tree from ArborDay.org.)

Originally published at readthespirit.com, an online magazine covering religion and cultural diversity.

Buddhist: Light a candle for the three months of Vassa

August 2, 2012 by

Photo in public domainFRIDAY, AUGUST 3: An extravagant candle carving festival reaches culmination in Thailand today, meaning only one thing in many Theravada Buddhist countries: Vassa, the annual three-month rains retreat, has arrived.

In a tradition so old that it even predates Buddha, monks and nuns halt their travels for a period of three lunar months, in respect for the rainy season and the abundant new life that flourishes therein. So as not to harm emerging plants or scurrying insects, Buddhist monks remain indoors to focus on intensive meditation and sacred study. (Learn more at the Buddhist Channel.) For Buddhist laypeople, Vassa means something like the Christian Lent: a time to abstain from meats or vices, hoping to develop a better spiritual self. During Vassa, even laypeople attempt to mimic a more ascetic lifestyle.

Prior to Vassa, Buddhists swarm temples in droves, offering food and candles to the monks and nuns for the coming rains retreat. What used to be a simple tradition of candle donations has exploded into the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival, an event that draws upward of 100,000 tourists and international candle carvers alike. From July 20 to Aug. 5, world-renowned artists from Japan, Ukraine, Argentina and other countries will sharpen their wax knives and compete in a candle carving competition; others exhibit their work at the National Museum in Ubon Ratchathani. (The Nation has an article.) Wax demonstrations, parades and photo exhibitions entice tourists to further examine this ancient Buddhist ritual, although the formal day of candle donations is today. Buddhist devotees will present candles, robes and other necessities to nearby temples today, although you may see a few modern-minded laypersons donating energy-saving light bulbs instead of candles!

As not all Buddhist ascetics inhabit regions with a rainy season, Vassa is not observed worldwide. In countries that do note Vassa, monks express their number of years in the monastic life by citing the number of Vassas they have observed.

Filed Under: Buddhist

Buddhist, Japanese: Millions honor ancestors at Obon

July 13, 2012 by

Reflect on ancestors with the Buddhists during Obon. Photo in public domainOBON WORDS OF WISDOM: “The weight of obligation we owe to our parents is as boundless as the heavens.” The most important sentiment of the human mind and heart is that which repays obligation. Japanese Sutra

FRIDAY, JULY 13: Eat sushi and circle ‘round for a Bon dance, because it’s that time of year again: Obon season! Across Japan, Hawaii and Japanese communities worldwide, the festival of Bon Odori is in full force. A Buddhist-Confucian custom, the Japanese have been visiting ancestors’ graves and honoring the spirits of deceased loved ones during Bon Odori for more than 500 years. (Wikipedia has details.)

When the Japanese lunar calendar was changed to the Gregorian calendar, the date of Obon spread out: “Shichigatsu Bon” became the modern observance, marked in Tokyo and eastern Japan in mid-July; “Hachigatsu Bon,” based on the lunar calendar, is celebrated in mid-August. Nonetheless, Japanese communities take this season to rejoice in their culture and share it with others. Obon festivals often span several days and include public Bon dances, tea ceremonies, fireworks and carnivals. (Cook up an authentic recipe and learn more about the tedious work of Obon food preparation in Monterey County Weekly. Or, learn how to make your own paper lantern from this PDF.)

On a more personal level, Obon means that families take time to freshly decorate household altars and reunite with family members at ancestral gravesites. (Make a summer-themed grave blanket for your loved one by adapting this easy winter blanket “How To”.)

The traditional story behind Obon begins with a disciple of Buddha. When this disciple used supernatural abilities to look upon his deceased mother, he saw that she was suffering in the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. (Obon is shortened from Ullambana, meaning “hanging upside down” and implying much suffering. Get a Buddhist perspective from the Shingon Buddhist International Institute.) The disciple mourned his mother’s state, and pleaded to Buddha for a way to free her. As Buddha instructed, the disciple made offerings to the Buddhist monks who had completed their summer retreat; the disciple saw his mother freed, and danced with joy—thus, the first “Bon dance.” Duly, the disciple saw the many sacrifices his mother had made for him and was exceptionally grateful.

Most every Bon festival ends with Toro Nagashi, or the floating of paper lanterns. At the culmination, hundreds and thousands of paper lanterns, illuminated by interior candles, can be seen floating down rivers and streams. The belief is that ancestors’ spirits are symbolically returned to the world of the dead.

Buddhist: Study the Dhamma on Asalha Puja Day

June 29, 2012 by

A Theravadin Buddhist. Photo in public domainTUESDAY, JULY 3: It’s the full moon of July, the beginning of the monsoon season and the anniversary of Buddha’s first teachings: Thus, for Buddhists, today is Asalha Puja Day.

One of the most significant festivals for Theravada Buddhists, Asalha Puja Day (also called Dhamma Day) marks the first preaching of Buddha at Deer Park in India; Buddha, in essence, “set into motion the wheel of the dhamma” and spoke of the four noble truths. All Buddhist schools of thought trace their roots back to the four noble truths: life means suffering; origin of suffering is attachment; cessation of suffering is attainable; the way to cessation is via the eightfold path.

After Enlightenment, Buddha began telling his friends what he had learned. Though he hadn’t planned to teach, his friends encouraged it and soon, Buddha was delivering his first public sermon. At Deer Park, Buddha preached the central teachings of Buddhism—teachings that he would elaborate upon in all future sermons. (Learn more about this and other Buddhist holidays at Buddhanet.) Upon hearing this sermon, one of Buddha’s friends asked to be made a disciple; Buddha’s order of monks had begun.

Today, Buddhists donate offerings at the temple on Asalha Puja, and listen to sermons—just as those first followers did at Deer Park. For those in monsoon regions, the three-month rainy season retreat begins tomorrow: Monks and nuns stay inside to reflect and meditate. Asalha Puja is a government holiday in Thailand.

Filed Under: Buddhist