Nirvana Day

Today is Nirvana Day 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.

Buddhists celebrate the date of the death of the Buddha, because death is 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.

Agenda for today:

1. Read the Buddha's teachings

2. Read "Simple Living Manifesto"

3. Eat a Buddha bowl

1. Read the Buddha's teachings:
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 the monks and nuns.

Buddhists often read passages from the Nirvana Sutra today, describing the Buddha’s last days of life. The message of this sutra is that all beings possess a "Buddha nature", and have the ability to reach enlightenment. This lines up well with the Quaker belief that there is "that of God" in each person.

2. Read "Simple Living Manifesto":

One of my intentions for Lent this year are to dive into various web sites that offer information on simple living themes. Today I continued with more by Leo Babauta (Zen Habits) This Manifesto is a list of 72 ideas for simple living. 

Today I was attracted to this: 

"Limit your communications. Our lives these days are filled with a vast flow of communications ... It can take up your whole day if you let it. Instead, put a limit on your communications: only do email at certain times of the day, for a certain number of minutes (I recommend twice a day, but do what works for you). ... Set a schedule and stick to it."

3. Eat a Buddha Bowl:

A Buddha bowl is a complete vegetarian meal in a single-serving bowl. The name seems to be a fairly recent invention, but probably stems from the habit Buddhist monks had of carrying a bowl to ask for donations.

Buddha bowls are a combination of separate foods: A healthy grain, plus some plant proteins, and vegetables (raw and/or cooked) - all arranged with beauty, and usually served cold, sometimes with a sauce.

This year for Lent I'm fasting from meat and dairy at least a couple days a week, and I'm experimenting with some new protein options. I'm starting with this non-soy-based tempeh, made with fermented chickpeas. It kind of looks like someone smashed together a bunch of beans and then baked it into a cake. It has a firm texture and a mild taste and is supposed to do a good job of soaking up marinades.

I plan to make this Tempeh Buddha Bowl:

Ingredients:

• 1 c. brown rice
• ¼ c. + 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• ½ tsp. garlic chili sauce
• 8 ounces tempeh
• 1 broccoli crown, or 4 baby bok choys
• 4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• carrot

Serving: 2 bowls-

1. Cook the rice as usual.

2. In a shallow bowl, combine 1/4 c. soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and garlic chili sauce. Slice tempeh into strips, add to the marinade, and turn over to coat completely. Marinate 15-30 minutes, turning once.

3. Slice up the broccoli, or quarter the bok choy lengthwise, wash, and dry. Heat 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the veggies, cut side down in a single layer, and cook, undisturbed, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to medium. Add soy sauce and 1 tablespoon water. Cover and steam until bok choy is just fork-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, tossing frequently, until liquid is evaporated, about 30 seconds more. Remove the bok choy to a plate, and cover to keep warm.

5. Heat another 2 Tbsp. oil in the same pan, over medium heat. Add the marinated tempeh in a single layer, shaking off any excess marinade. (Reserve the marinade.) Cook 7-8 minutes, turning once, until the tempeh is golden brown.

6. Shred the carrot.

7. Toss the hot rice in bowl with the leftover marinade, then spoon into your individual serving bowls.

7. Add bok choy, and the tempeh, and sprinkle with the carrots.