How much do you know about Parinirvana Day? Where will it be celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day, is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday, typically celebrated in East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Buddhism is a religion followed by millions of people across the world. Originating in the Indian subcontinent, it is now shared across a rich variety of cultures and countries. Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Auckland Buddhist Centre is one such place where Buddhism is shared. On Saturday 15th February, they will host their annual Parinirvana celebration at the Sudarshanaloka Retreat Centre in Thames. Please click on the link for further details: https://aucklandbuddhistcentre.org/event/stupa-anniversary-mitra-ceremony-feb-25.
It is the day when the Buddha is said to have achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. Nirvana is believed to be the end of the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddhism teaches that Nirvana is reached when all want and suffering is gone. It is the part of the Buddha's life (his death) that represents the impermanence of all conditioned things.
Passages from the recitations of Nibbana Sutta or Nirvana Sutra describing the Buddha's last days of life are often read on Parinirvana Day. Other observances include meditation and visits to Buddhist temples and monasteries. Also, the day is a time to think about one's own future death and on the deaths of loved ones, to reflect on the fact that death is a part of life for everyone. This thought process reflects the Buddhist teachings on impermanence - death being the most compelling example of this. The idea that nothing stays the same is important to Buddhism. Buddhists believe that loss and change are things to be accepted rather than causes of sadness.
