Who’s Got The Nirvana?

•

by Robin Mitzcavitch, Director of Religious Exploration

What is Nirvana Day?  An easy glimpse before a more complicated narrative:  resources are adapted from BBC Bitesize

Nirvana Day is an annual Buddhist festival that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana at the age of 80.

Nirvana is believed to be the end of the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddhism teaches that Nirvana is reached when all want and suffering is gone.

Most Buddhists celebrate Nirvana Day on February 15th. Others celebrate it on February 8th. It is also known as Parinirvana Day.

The Buddha attained Nirvana when he came to understand the Four Noble Truths. These are:

  • Life involves suffering
  • Suffering is due to having desires
  • Suffering can be ended by overcoming desires
  • The way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path is often represented as a wheel, known as the Wheel of Dharma. ‘Dharma’ is an ancient Sanskrit word used to refer to the Buddha’s teachings.

Buddhists believe meditation is very important for well being. It is a way to clear the mind and encourage positive thinking.

To meditate you need to find a quiet area where you can concentrate. There are lots of different ways of meditating. Some people sit on a cushion with their legs crossed and focus on breathing deeply. Others attend classes and learn different techniques.

Buddhists may celebrate Nirvana Day by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries.

In monasteries, Nirvana Day is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes.

On Nirvana Day, Buddhists think about their lives and how they can gain the perfect peace of Nirvana. They remember friends and family who have recently died. They reflect on the fact that death is a part of life for everyone.

The idea that nothing stays the same is important to Buddhism. Buddhists believe that loss and change are things to be accepted rather than causes of sadness.

Now Stop. Breathe.

Let’s noodle this sentence: “On Nirvana Day, Buddhists think about their lives and how they can gain the perfect peace of Nirvana.”

As I read and understand it, to attain Nirvana, the bottom line is to end suffering. To end suffering, Buddhists practice the teachings found on the eigthfold path. This is where things get real for the rest of us. Nirvana sounds slightly achievable before you read these:

The Eightfold Path of Buddhism, also called the Middle Path or Middle Way, is the system of following these eight divisions of the path to achieve spiritual enlightenment and cease suffering:

  • Right understanding: Understanding that the Four Noble Truths are noble and true.
  • Right thought: Determining and resolving to practice Buddhist faith.
  • Right speech: Avoiding slander, gossip, lying, and all forms of untrue and abusive speech.
  • Right conduct: Adhering to the idea of nonviolence (ahimsa), as well as refraining from any form of stealing or sexual impropriety.
  • Right means of making a living: Not slaughtering animals or working at jobs that force you to violate others.
  • Right mental attitude or effort: Avoiding negative thoughts and emotions, such as anger and jealousy.
  • Right mindfulness: Having a clear sense of one’s mental state and bodily health and feelings.
  • Right concentration: Using meditation to reach the highest level of enlightenment.

Good practices, yes, but in the climate in which we live, they are a challenge.

I know that I have a challenging time avoiding negative thoughts, especially when I go to pay my bills, turn on the news, or go food shopping.

Then, having the time and where-with-all to slow down and meditate is rare. It’s a mega- challenge for me.  And we need to meditate in order to get that clear sense of what we’re all about and how we’re doing. Meditating is important so that you know yourself better, I hear. (And I certainly believe it .)

I’m writing this today to crowd source. I’m looking for a little bit of Nirvana seasoning to be thrown into the soup here. The “perfect peace of Nirvana” might be a big ask.  I think I’d like to  take the lower panic version of Nirvana. The “doing the best we can” Nirvana. Today, I want to know how we can support each other in that?

 How can we bring joy, empathy, solace, into our community while also not burying our heads in the sand, forgetting the causes of suffering that are swirling around us all.  There has to be a 2026 version of moving toward this “Nirvana” that we speak of. 

Let’s Crowd Source!   Tell me – are you on the path to enlightenment? How are you staying there?  How are you not sliding down those deep gullies on each side of that path?  How are you staying positive? What are your practices? How are you standing up against injustices and staying hopeful simultaneously.  Any tips?  Let’s share.  Send me an email.  I will compile all your thoughts and tips and concerns.  I will then put them back out to our church and community. We can be a wise collective.  And….we need to be.

In Truth,

Robin Mitzcavitch