Parinirvana Day (Nirvana Day) 2023: Date, History, Importance, Facts about Buddhism

Parinirvana Day, also referred to as Nirvana Day, is observed annually on February 15 to commemorate the Buddha’s death when he attained complete nirvana or parinirvana. Can you believe Buddhism has existed for more than 2,600 years? Buddhism is a religion founded on the teachings of the Hindu Gautama Buddha, who lived between the fifth and fourth centuries BCE. Parinirvana Day, commemorating Buddha’s physical death, is observed in some East Asian countries on February 8, and in Bhutan on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar. To attain Parinirvana, according to Buddhism, one must comprehend the Four Noble Truths.

HISTORY OF PARINIRVANA DAY (NIRVANA DAY)

Parinirvana Day’s history begins with the birth of Siddhartha Gautama. Buddha was born in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, in the 5th century BCE. Buddhism texts indicate that he was born to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. However, many scholars argue that he was born in the Shakya community, which was governed by a council in the style of a republic, and that he must be a member of one of the ruling families.

Gautama renounced his title and inheritance after being moved by the pain of life and death and its endless repetition due to rebirth. He set out on a journey in search of Nirvana, or freedom from suffering. Gautama adopted the sramana ascetic lifestyle and went to study under two meditation teachers. In the presence of Arada Kamala, also known as Alara Kamala, he attained nothingness. However, this did not end his suffering. Under the tutelage of his second teacher, Udraka Ramaputra, he attained the state of “neither perception nor non-perception.” However, this did not assist him in solving the issue of suffering.

Gautama determined to submit himself to the strictest ascetic disciplines, such as strict fasting and breath control. That did not address the issue of suffering either. He abandoned asceticism and embraced dhyana, a form of meditation. According to legend, he travelled to Bodh Gaya, where he sat beneath the Bodhi Tree and vowed to remain in the state of meditation until he realised the meaning of suffering-free living. In this state of profound meditation, Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, the enlightened one.

When he became the Buddha, Gautama began to teach his doctrine, Dharma, initiated monks into his Sangha order, and educated nuns. He permitted his disciples to disseminate his teaching throughout India using the local language or dialects.

Gautama died at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, attaining the final nirvana — parinirvana. His passing has been commemorated annually since then.

5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BUDDHISM

• In the 1830s, Western scholars coined the term “Buddhism.”
• Although the Buddha first taught Buddhism in India, only one percent of Indians identify as Buddhists.
• According to the 2010 Pew Research Center, half of the world’s Buddhists live in China.
• Buddhists adhere to the Dhamma, which emphasises meditation and mindfulness without mentioning a supreme being or creator god.
• Buddhism is the fourth-largest religion in the world, with more than 520 million followers.

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WHY PARINIRVANA DAY (NIRVANA DAY) IS IMPORTANT

It commemorates the Buddha’s passing.

Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha, was the founder of Buddhism, and his death marked the beginning of the Parinirvana festival. As Christians commemorate the death of Jesus on Easter, Buddhists commemorate the death of the person whose teachings they follow on Parinirvana Day.

It’s a time to contemplate life and death.

Buddhism teaches that everything is temporary and death is a normal part of life since everything must end. Through reflection, you will come to understand that and accept the deaths of loved ones and your future death.

Parinirvana marks the end of the cycle of death and rebirth

Buddhists believe that our attachment to transient phenomena generates karma, which binds us to the cycle of death and rebirth. We achieve nirvana and end rebirth by letting go. The Buddha attained nirvana prior to beginning his teachings, and he attained Parinirvana upon his death.

PARINIRVANA DAY (NIRVANA DAY) DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	February 15	Wednesday
2024	February 15	Thursday
2025	February 15	Saturday
2026	February 15	Sunday
2027	February 15	Monday