Our Parinirvana celebration marks the final passing away of the Buddha. His death came when he was eighty years old and had spent some forty years teaching after his Enlightenment. What is more, the notion that all things are impermanent is central to Buddhist teaching and, for Buddhists, loss and impermanence are things to be accepted rather than causes of pain and grief.
The Parinibbana Sutta gives a moving and dignified account of the Buddha's last days and passages from it are sometimes read on Parinirvana Day. Another popular Buddhist Story around the inescapability of death and the process of letting go is of Kisa Gotami, a young Indian woman whose only son died quite young.
Traditionally celebrated on the 15th of February, this day is used as an opportunity to reflect on the fact of one's own future death and on people whom one has known who have recently died. Meditations are done with the recently deceased in mind to help with the process of grieving, learning to letting go, and gaining a greater insight into impermanence.
Dana/Koha
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I've been actively involved with the Triratna Buddhist community since 1992 while still at University. As with many other people, my personal journey…