Current:Home > BackWhat is Bodhi Day? And when do Buddhists celebrate it?-InfoLens
What is Bodhi Day? And when do Buddhists celebrate it?
View Date:2024-12-25 00:04:29
Buddhists around the world are celebrating Bodhi Day.
Also called Buddha’s Enlightenment Day, it commemorates when Siddhartha Gautama attained awakening — or enlightenment — some 2,600 years ago, becoming the Buddha.
When is Bodhi Day celebrated?
Japan celebrates on Dec. 8, following the Western calendar.
It varies elsewhere in East Asia, but generally, the holiday falls between the winter solstice and the lunar new year, said Scott Mitchell, dean of students at Berkeley, California-based Institute of Buddhist Studies.
Southeast Asian and Tibetan Buddhists celebrate Buddha’s enlightenment in May and June respectively, said Judith Simmer-Brown, professor emeritus of contemplative and religious studies at Colorado’s Naropa University.
How did Siddhartha Gautama achieve enlightenment?
It happened after years of spiritual seeking and meditation, including gaining insights into the ultimate nature of existence: “In particular, the origins of human suffering, the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and the path to liberation (nirvana),” Manuel Lopez, a professor of Buddhist Studies and Religion at New College of Florida, said via email.
Buddhism is regarded as the world’s fourth-largest religion after Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Most Buddhists live in the Asia-Pacific region.
Which Buddhist traditions observe Bodhi Day?
Not all Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day. It is most common in East Asia’s Buddhist Mahayana traditions found in Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
In Japan’s Zen Buddhist schools, it is known as “Rohatsu,” meaning the 8th day of the 12th month, Mitchell said. In some other schools, it is called Jodo-e.
In Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and other majority Buddhist countries, it is celebrated as part of Vesak Day. Often in May, Vesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, Lopez said.
How is Bodhi Day celebrated?
Observances vary, but celebrants pray and read scriptures (sutras). Some decorate trees with colorful lights or candles, symbolizing Buddha’s enlightenment, and have special family meals. Others engage in acts of kindness and generosity (dana) to reflect on the Buddha’s teaching and improve their karma, Lopez said.
Some eat rice and milk — believed to be the sustenance that helped Buddha make his final push for enlightenment, Tricycle, a Buddhism-focused magazine, writes in its online “Buddhism for Beginners.”
What does Bodhi mean?
“Bodhi” comes from a verb in Sanskrit and Pali that means “to awaken” or “awakened.” In Buddhism, it’s generally understood to mean “enlightenment.”
Siddhartha Gautama spent years seeking the answer to the problem of suffering. Finally, he attained awakening and became the Buddha while meditating under a peepal tree in Bodh Gaya, a village in the northeastern Indian state of Bihar.
“He was determined not to arise until he had solved the problem. Seated at the base of the Bodhi tree, facing East, he began a meditation that was to last through the night,” said Philip Almond, emeritus professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities at Australia’s The University of Queensland.
That night, he said, “Gautama directly knew the true nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the way to its cessation.”
What is the Bodhi Tree?
The tree Gautama mediated under is called the “Bodhi Tree” or tree of awakening. As a result, the ficus leaf became a Buddhist symbol. Many Buddhists plant ficus trees.
Today, Bodh Gaya — and its Mahabodhi Temple Complex -- is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites. The giant Bodhi Tree near the main temple is believed to be a descendant of the original tree, according to UNESCO says.
__
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Wisconsin agency issues first round of permits for Enbridge Line 5 reroute around reservation
- Meet Thermonator, a flame-throwing robot dog with 30-foot range being sold by Ohio company
- Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.
- U.S. orders cow testing for bird flu after grocery milk tests positive
- Human head washes ashore on Florida beach, police investigating: reports
- Looking for cheaper Eras Tour tickets? See Taylor Swift at these 10 international cities.
- Tennessee GOP-led Senate spikes bill seeking to ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags in schools
- Key moments in the Supreme Court’s latest abortion case that could change how women get care
- Britney Spears Reunites With Son Jayden Federline After His Move to Hawaii
- Authorities confirm 2nd victim of ex-Washington officer was 17-year-old with whom he had a baby
Ranking
- Homes of Chiefs’ quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month
- FTC sends $5.6 million in refunds to Ring customers as part of video privacy settlement
- NFL draft order for all 257 picks: Who picks when for all 7 rounds of this year's draft
- Worst U.S. cities for air pollution ranked in new American Lung Association report
- Ryan Reynolds Clarifies Taylor Swift’s Role as Godmother to His Kids With Blake Lively
- Florida man gets 4 years in prison for laundering romance scam proceeds
- Alabama reigns supreme among schools with most NFL draft picks in first round over past 10 years
- Doctors perform first-ever combined heart pump and pig kidney transplant
Recommendation
-
Surprise bids revive hope for offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico after feds cancel lease sale
-
The Rolling Stones set to play New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024, opening Thursday
-
Tiffany Haddish opens up about sobriety, celibacy five months after arrest on suspicion of DUI
-
Groups urge Alabama to reverse course, join summer meal program for low-income kids
-
Pedro Pascal's Sister Lux Pascal Debuts Daring Slit on Red Carpet at Gladiator II Premiere
-
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Double Date With Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper
-
Chet Holmgren sets tone as Thunder roll Pelicans to take 2-0 series lead
-
US growth likely slowed last quarter but still pointed to a solid economy