Parinirvana Day
Parinirvana Day is an annual festival, observed in some MahayanaTeachings that spread from India into Tibet, parts of Asia and the Far East, characterised by the Bodhisatta ideal and the teaching of ‘emptiness’. countries, that remembers the death of the BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one. when he reached the age of 80. Buddhism teaches that when the Buddha died, he entered a state called Parinirvana which means Nirvana (also spelt Nibbana)An indescribable state, held by Buddhists to be the ultimate goal of religious practice, involving breaking free from the cycle of samsara. without end.
The belief is that when a Buddhist achieves Nirvana, he or she will not be reborn again. The Buddhist has achieved a state of complete understanding, when no more suffering can be experienced. Mahayana Buddhism teaches that Nirvana can be achieved by anyone, when all desire and suffering is gone.
Buddhists may celebrate Parinirvana Day with meditationThinking quietly as a spiritual or religious exercise. Connection of the mind and soul with the Divine using breathing and other techniques. In Buddhism, using one of a set of techniques or exercises for calming the mind, developing positive emotions and understanding the way things are. or going to Buddhist templeA religious building. or monasteryThe building where monks live..
In monasteries, Parinirvana Day is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes.
Parinirvana Day is significant to Buddhists today as they think about their lives and how they can work towards gaining Nirvana. They remember friends or relations who have recently died and reflect on the fact that death is a part of life for everyone.