It is the day that Buddhist around the world remember the Buddha’s Parinirvana, sometimes referred to as the Buddha’s Full and Final Enlightenment. During Morning Service last Sunday we remembered the Buddha’s death by reciting the offertory traditionally used at the end of the full ceremony which is performed in our larger temples. See also a BBC News item on how the Parinirvana is celebrated in other traditions.
The Buddha’s Parinirvana.
A carving from Gandhara, 2-3rd century.
Image recently released intothe public domain.
When in the presence of somebody who has recently died, when the body has ceased to have physical life, there remains a sense of vibrant ‘life’ that is unmistakable. At once there is both sadness and a great sense of celebration. There seems to be some celebration going on in the above photograph. In images of the Buddha’s Parinirvana my Master would point out the person who is depicted crying. Reminding us that we have feelings and it is OK to be seen to grieve.
Go here if you want to read a translation of the Mahaparinivana Sutra, The Great Discourse on the Total Unbinding by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.