Parinirvana Day

• Buddhists believe that when the Buddha attained enlightenment he also achieved nirvana, he saw life how it really is, gained perfect wisdom, seeing that all event are interrelated and nothing has independen existence
• The Buddha was able to stop his desires and cravings, and become free from suffering and enter the peace and joy of nirvana
• The Buddha’s nirvana was only temporary as he lived in a world of material things, when he died his nirvana was complete
• When the Buddha died he escaped desire, suffering and the cycle of Samsara
• The completion of his nirvana is called parinirvana
• Buddhists celebrate the Buddha’s parinirvana on parinirvana day
• It takes place on February 15th every year
• It is a day of celebration as it marks the time when the Buddha become free from suffering
• It is also a day of reflection
• Buddhists read the teachings Buddha gave as he lay dying and meditate of the impermanent nature of life and death
• Some Buddhists make a pilgrimage to Kushinagar where the Buddha died