Okla-homey
2/8/2006, 06:21 AM
Feb 8 -- Nirvana Day
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6387/buddhagoldensitting4cu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Today is Nirvana Day, celebrated by most of the planet's Buddhists. Nirvana Day is an annual Buddhist festival. It is also known as Parinirvana and is celebrated by some Buddhist sects on February 15th. Nirvana Day is one of many Buddhist festivals which also include Wesak and Uposatha days. Nirvana Day is the celebration of the Buddha's death when he reached total Nirvana, at the age of 80.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6130/bud450pxborobudurperfectbuddha.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Ancient Buddha statue in Indonesia
On Nirvana Day, Buddhists think about their lives and how they can work towards gaining the perfect peace of Nirvana. Nirvana is believed to be the end of rebirth and is the ultimate aim of Buddhism. It is reached when all want and suffering is gone.
Buddhists celebrate Nirvana by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries. Celebrations vary throughout the world. In monasteries Nirvana Day is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes. Some Buddhists will read passages from The Paranibbana Sutta which describes the last days of Buddha, while others may reflect on those who have recently passed away.
How do you reach "Nirvana?"
Nirvana is attained by meditating and following the guiding principles of Buddhism, in particular the Four Noble Truths which Buddha experienced whilst he meditated under the Bodhi tree:
I. All Life is suffering
II. Suffering is due to having desires
III. Suffering can be ended when overcoming desires
IV. The way to end suffering is through the Eightfold Path.
The four noble truths have multiple references as well and can be named differently, but they refer to the same thing.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6290/budsujatabuddha1dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Buddha under the Bodhi tree. Buddha was reputedly an Indian prince who eschewed his lavish birthright to pursue inner peace.
What is the "Eight-fold Path?"
1. Right view
2. Right thought
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right contemplation
Why is Nirvana Day celebrated on different days and why does it have different names?
Buddhists use the lunar calendar to define when dates of festivals should take place. Dates when there are a full moon are used often. The different names for Nirvana Day arose due to a split in Buddhist teaching in 100 AD which resulted in the two separate schools of thought, Hinayana and Mahayana. There are now even more, including, for example, Zen Buddhism. Nirvana Day is followed by Mahayana, or Theravada Buddhists, who tend to be people from China, Korea, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/673/buddha8pf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Ancient Buddha statue in Thailand
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/1206/insane7zo2es.jpg
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6387/buddhagoldensitting4cu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Today is Nirvana Day, celebrated by most of the planet's Buddhists. Nirvana Day is an annual Buddhist festival. It is also known as Parinirvana and is celebrated by some Buddhist sects on February 15th. Nirvana Day is one of many Buddhist festivals which also include Wesak and Uposatha days. Nirvana Day is the celebration of the Buddha's death when he reached total Nirvana, at the age of 80.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6130/bud450pxborobudurperfectbuddha.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Ancient Buddha statue in Indonesia
On Nirvana Day, Buddhists think about their lives and how they can work towards gaining the perfect peace of Nirvana. Nirvana is believed to be the end of rebirth and is the ultimate aim of Buddhism. It is reached when all want and suffering is gone.
Buddhists celebrate Nirvana by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries. Celebrations vary throughout the world. In monasteries Nirvana Day is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes. Some Buddhists will read passages from The Paranibbana Sutta which describes the last days of Buddha, while others may reflect on those who have recently passed away.
How do you reach "Nirvana?"
Nirvana is attained by meditating and following the guiding principles of Buddhism, in particular the Four Noble Truths which Buddha experienced whilst he meditated under the Bodhi tree:
I. All Life is suffering
II. Suffering is due to having desires
III. Suffering can be ended when overcoming desires
IV. The way to end suffering is through the Eightfold Path.
The four noble truths have multiple references as well and can be named differently, but they refer to the same thing.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/6290/budsujatabuddha1dt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Buddha under the Bodhi tree. Buddha was reputedly an Indian prince who eschewed his lavish birthright to pursue inner peace.
What is the "Eight-fold Path?"
1. Right view
2. Right thought
3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood
6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right contemplation
Why is Nirvana Day celebrated on different days and why does it have different names?
Buddhists use the lunar calendar to define when dates of festivals should take place. Dates when there are a full moon are used often. The different names for Nirvana Day arose due to a split in Buddhist teaching in 100 AD which resulted in the two separate schools of thought, Hinayana and Mahayana. There are now even more, including, for example, Zen Buddhism. Nirvana Day is followed by Mahayana, or Theravada Buddhists, who tend to be people from China, Korea, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/673/buddha8pf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Ancient Buddha statue in Thailand
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/1206/insane7zo2es.jpg