Dear All,
A few years back, some of our Treeleaf Sangha members requested a day to remember those who had passed from this world among family and friends ...
February is a time of Memorial & Celebration for NEHAN-E (Parinirvana Gathering), the traditional day to mark the historical Buddha's death and passing from this visible world. This is also a day for each of us to remember in our homes those family and friends who have gone before. Although this holiday is marked specifically on February 15th in Japan, our Sangha and others will celebrate during the coming week.
We will begin this weekend with Zazenkai, to be netcast live next Friday-Saturday (depending on your location), joinable any time thereafter by "when you need" recording.
... which will include SPECIAL CHANTS & CEREMONY to recall our parents, grand-parents, siblings, our relatives near and distant, all our ancestors reaching back through the generations, and our dear friends and other cherished ones who have passed. Our Memorial is also in honor of Master Gudo Wafu Nishijima and Rempo Niwa Zenji, my Teacher and his Teacher. We also honor in our Zendo in Tsukuba the portraits of three Teachers who were very important to me in Japan and America, Doshin Cantor Roshi, Jiho Sargent Roshi and Azuma Ikuo Roshi.
Should you wish, there is also an "at home" ceremony for you to undertake with your loved ones in memory, details below. This tradition was also begun at the request of many of our Treeleaf Sangha members who asked for a family ritual at home to remember their friends and family who have passed.
First, what is NEHAN-E (BUDDHA'S PARINIRVANA DAY)?
This is the day that Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have died near the town of Kushinagara on the banks of the Hiranyavati River. A big scroll or statue depicting the Buddha entering Nirvana is displayed and a ceremony expressing our gratitude to the Buddha is performed. The Sanskrit term ‘Nirvana’ literally means ‘extinction, the extinction of the worldly illusions and passions.’ Wherever the extinction of illusions and passions is being achieved, there will be a calm and peaceful Nirvana, but the term which applies to this particular day means the death of the Buddha Shakyamuni.
It is said that at the time of his death the Buddha was sleeping on a bed that had been prepared between two sala trees; his head to the north, his face to the west, and his right hand for a pillow. At that time, white flowers bloomed on the sala trees and fell continuously. The story is related how many of his disciples, men and women of all ages, and even birds and animals gathered, sighing with sadness. The Buddha gave his last discourse, expounding the fundamental truth – even though the physical body dies, the Dharma is unbounded by time; in order to see the Buddha, it is simply necessary to see the Dharma. In this way, he taught his disciples the Precepts and the way they should maintain the practice of Buddha’s Way. This sermon is called the Yuikyogyo, the Last Teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha (or "Sutra of the Last Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha"). He passed away at the age of 80 and entered into "Mahaparinirvana", that which cannot be truly "entered" or "departed", the absolute free state of Enlightenment.
Though marking events of some 25 centuries ago and far away, the moment is truly beyond count or time, found here and all places.
And so, might we encounter our lost loved ones and friends as neither gone nor far away, beyond time ... found here and all places ...
It is said that at the time of his death the Buddha was sleeping on a bed that had been prepared between two sala trees; his head to the north, his face to the west, and his right hand for a pillow. At that time, white flowers bloomed on the sala trees and fell continuously. The story is related how many of his disciples, men and women of all ages, and even birds and animals gathered, sighing with sadness. The Buddha gave his last discourse, expounding the fundamental truth – even though the physical body dies, the Dharma is unbounded by time; in order to see the Buddha, it is simply necessary to see the Dharma. In this way, he taught his disciples the Precepts and the way they should maintain the practice of Buddha’s Way. This sermon is called the Yuikyogyo, the Last Teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha (or "Sutra of the Last Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha"). He passed away at the age of 80 and entered into "Mahaparinirvana", that which cannot be truly "entered" or "departed", the absolute free state of Enlightenment.
Though marking events of some 25 centuries ago and far away, the moment is truly beyond count or time, found here and all places.
And so, might we encounter our lost loved ones and friends as neither gone nor far away, beyond time ... found here and all places ...
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Parinirvana Ceremony
(At Home Portion)
(This Portion is to be conducted, should you wish, at each family's home on an evening of your choosing.)
(At Home Portion)
(This Portion is to be conducted, should you wish, at each family's home on an evening of your choosing.)
Please frame an image of the "Reclining Buddha" (Buddha on His Death Bed) ... There are many available in this thread and online ...
CLICK HERE FOR OTHER PARINIRANA PICTURES AVAILABLE ONLINE
At home, after dark, this framed picture should be placed on a table with incense (incense burner to be placed in front of the picture of the Buddha) and/or candles (to be placed in front of the picture of Buddha if without incense, to the sides of the incense if with), photographs or other reminders of the loved ones and friends to be remembered (to be placed to the right and left of the picture of the Buddha), all surrounded by fresh flowers and/or fruit (such as apples or oranges), and a small cup containing sweetened water or tea (representing an offering to quench all thirst). It is fine to place a small toy on the table for any children whose passing is being remembered. Family members will gather, dressed neatly. Family members can stand in Gassho or simply respectfully, as one adult representing the family lights the incense and/or candles, offers Three Standing Gassho Bows, and (holding the paper in the manner as shown) recites the following before the image of Buddha:
FOR FAMILIES SPECIFICALLY REMEMBERING THE PASSING OF A CHILD, BORN or UNBORN: Include on your Altar a picture such as the following of Jizo Bodhisattva, a protector of children. You may print out and frame either (or may hand draw the simple image yourself). We suggest that you place a little item or two for the child on the Altar, such as candy and a little child's toy (something very simple, such as a ball or little doll) or a simple piece of child's clothing. After the ceremony, eat the candy yourself, taking it into you, tasting the sweetness of life. You may keep the little toy or clothing, and store it away somewhere, to remember and to use again for any future remembrances.
This is the day of the Buddha’s Parinirvana, the time some 25 centuries ago when the Thus Come One entered Parinirvana, Final Nirvana, the day of the historical Buddha’s passing from this visible world. With each passing day, let us cherish life. Mindful of transiency, let us live this life and pursue our Path with diligence and care.
We remember our dear (say as applicable, and add their first names where possible) parents, grand-parents, siblings, our relatives near and distant, all our ancestors reaching back through the generations, and our dear friends and other cherished ones who have passed from this visible world. All in their way, by their lives, made our lives in this present moment possible and are the root of our being. They supported us, befriended and nurtured us, each in their way, both in ways clearly seen and ways sometimes obscured and hidden to our eyes. To each we express and offer our caring, boundless love, greetings, embrace, gratitude, mutual understanding and forgiveness, tolerance and hope for their peace and rest.
As was taught in the Sutra of the Last Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha, spoken by the Tathagata with regard to his own passing …
We remember our dear (say as applicable, and add their first names where possible) parents, grand-parents, siblings, our relatives near and distant, all our ancestors reaching back through the generations, and our dear friends and other cherished ones who have passed from this visible world. All in their way, by their lives, made our lives in this present moment possible and are the root of our being. They supported us, befriended and nurtured us, each in their way, both in ways clearly seen and ways sometimes obscured and hidden to our eyes. To each we express and offer our caring, boundless love, greetings, embrace, gratitude, mutual understanding and forgiveness, tolerance and hope for their peace and rest.
As was taught in the Sutra of the Last Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha, spoken by the Tathagata with regard to his own passing …
O good followers of the path! Do not grieve! Even if we were to live in the world for as long as great aeons of time, our coming together would someday have to end. There can be no coming together without parting. A life which benefited both self and others has reached completion. What has been said, has been said. What has been done, has been done. Even if we were to live longer, there would be nothing to add. …
Therefore, you should know that all things in the world are impermanent; coming together inevitably means parting. Do not be troubled, for this is the nature of life. Live and Practice diligently with right effort, find liberation immediately and, with the light of wisdom, remove the darkness of ignorance. Thus the Body of the Tathagata’s Dharma will be realized as timeless and indestructible. Yes, nothing is secure, and everything in this life is precarious. Yet, do not think that “The light has ceased.” It should not be seen like this. For what I have lit shall be your light, all living beings shall be the light, this bright world, and your very mind itself, shall be this same light continuing on.
Now, good followers of the way! You should always wholeheartedly seek the path of liberation. Yes, all things in the world, whether moving or seemingly non-moving, are characterized by disappearance and instability. Yet, be as lamps unto yourselves and pass on that light throughout generation after generation and to everyone in this world.
Stop now! Do not speak! Time is passing. I am about to cross over. This is my final teaching.
Therefore, you should know that all things in the world are impermanent; coming together inevitably means parting. Do not be troubled, for this is the nature of life. Live and Practice diligently with right effort, find liberation immediately and, with the light of wisdom, remove the darkness of ignorance. Thus the Body of the Tathagata’s Dharma will be realized as timeless and indestructible. Yes, nothing is secure, and everything in this life is precarious. Yet, do not think that “The light has ceased.” It should not be seen like this. For what I have lit shall be your light, all living beings shall be the light, this bright world, and your very mind itself, shall be this same light continuing on.
Now, good followers of the way! You should always wholeheartedly seek the path of liberation. Yes, all things in the world, whether moving or seemingly non-moving, are characterized by disappearance and instability. Yet, be as lamps unto yourselves and pass on that light throughout generation after generation and to everyone in this world.
Stop now! Do not speak! Time is passing. I am about to cross over. This is my final teaching.
The ceremony is closed with the words, “We will carry each of you in our hearts, and wish peace to you and peace to all who remain behind.” That is followed by Three Standing Gassho Bows, and the ceremony is over.
The altar at home should be kept until after sundown the next day. Candles should not be left burning after the ceremony in the interest of safety.
NOTE: If the person wishes in respect of the religious sensibilities of other members of the family, the images of Buddha and Incense need not be included, and the content of the Ceremony and references to the Buddha can be altered as felt appropriate.
I HOPE OUR SANGHA MEMBERS WILL JOIN US IN THIS MEMORIAL of PASSING and CELEBRATION of LIFE!
Gassho, J
SatTodayLAH
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