Nirvana Day

Nirvana Day is the celebration of Buddha's death at the age of 80, at around 487 BCE. It's celebrated in East Asia on February 15th, or on February 8th by some people.

Buddhists celebrate death because it's when the soul is released from the body to experience Nirvana. The word Nirvana means "to extinguish", but it's really more of a transformation to a new kind of existence. Nirvana is usually described as a state of bliss or peace, and a release from all physical suffering. The Buddha taught that Nirvana was beyond human imagination, and so speculation about what Nirvana is like is considered by some to be foolish.

Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha's teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats. People visit and bring gifts of money and household goods to support monks and nuns.

Agenda Today:

1. Open to Uncertainty:
Buddha's last words were, "Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Strive for your liberation with diligence." 

So Buddha says we are all marked by impermanence- all life is fleeting and changeable. I am not in control! I know this, of course, but emotionally I resist it every day. I cling to my past happiness and resist the pain of today.

Nirvana Day is a reminder to try again to accept the uncertainty of everything.

2. Read:
Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha's teachings. On this day, people often read passages from the Nirvana Sutra, describing the Buddha’s last days of life. 

I read instead from my favorite Buddhist author, Pema Chodrin. She has a book that's entirely about the impermanence of life called Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion. She says-

“Our habitual patterns are, of course, well established, seductive, and comforting. Just wishing for them to be ventilated isn’t enough. Mindfulness and awareness are key. 

Do we see the stories that we’re telling ourselves and question their validity? 
When we are distracted by a strong emotion, do we remember that it is part of our path? 
Can we feel the emotion and breathe it into our hearts for ourselves and everyone else? 

If we can remember to experiment like this even occasionally, we are training as a warrior. And when we can’t practice when distracted but know that we can’t, we are still training well. Never underestimate the power of compassionately recognizing what’s going on.”

3. Bodhisattva Practices:

Pema Chodron talks about training to be a bodhisattva, a compassionate warrior who has generated enough love to reach nirvana, but remains alive to help others who suffer.
"Warrior-bodhisattvas enter challenging situations in order to alleviate suffering. They are willing to cut through personal reactivity and self-deception .... A warrior accepts that we can never know what will happen to us next. We can try to control the uncontrollable by looking for security and predictability, always hoping to be comfortable and safe. But the truth is that we can never avoid uncertainty. This not-knowing is part of the adventure."

So, how does one train to be a bodhisattva? By cultivating the four limitless qualities of loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. (Equanimity vs. reactivity is my challange!)

"But bodhichitta training offers no promise of happy endings. Rather, this “I” who wants to find security—who wants something to hold on to—will finally learn to grow up. If we find ourselves in doubt that we’re up to being a warrior-in-training, we can contemplate this question: “Do I prefer to grow up and relate to life directly, or do I choose to live and die in fear?” 

First Bodhisattva Practices:
1. Slogan: Every morning this week say, “I accept that I can never know what will happen next. This is part of the adventure!”

2. Observe: As I face daily encounters with unpredictability, notice my feelings of fear, irritation, confusion, defensiveness, worry, or disappointment- these are flags that show me when I am holding back.

3. Break my pattern: Rather than holding back, perk up and lean in to the situation. Embrace the uncertainty of the moment. Step out of the safety zone! Accept the situation, accept my emotions, and accept the people involved.

4. Meditation: 
I will try to meditate for awhile each day for the next week. Meditation is one way to learn to be vulnerable. When a thought rises, breathe it gently away- let the emotion remain and experience it fully without the thought; be present in the moment and tender toward myself, others, and the world.