Parinirvana – February 15, 2012 Meditation
On this day we commemorate the Parinirvana of the Buddha, his final extinction. The actual date of the death of the Buddha is not known and different traditions and countries commemorate this event on different days and with different ceremonies. Though there are differences of custom it isn’t a distinction of which is right or wrong or better, they are just differences.
“The time of my extinction is coming. Prepare me a comfortable couch! I shall enter into Parinirvana tonight.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XXIII)
There are two things we can reflect upon as we commemorate and meditate on this event and understand the significance in our seemingly ordinary lives some 3000 years hence. One is the fact that the Buddha is always present and appears through our faith and practice. The passing of the Buddha can serve as a motivator to us today to continually seek out the Buddha in the universe as well as our lives.
“When they see me seemingly pass away, And make offerings to my sariras, and adore me, admire me, and become devout, upright and gentle, and wish to see me with all their hearts at the cost of their lives, I reappear on Mt. Sacred Eagle with my Samgha, and say to them “I always live here. I shall never be extinct. I show my extinction to you expediently although I never pass away.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XIV)
This is difficult to keep in mind as we slog our way through life’s seemingly endless difficulties, yet it is these very same difficulties that enable us to become motivated to become Buddhas.
The other point of significance to making this day is to recall our mission, our promise as Bodhisattvas from beneath the ground to practice, and teach this Lotus Sutra in this age. Recalling our promise to reside in this Saha world of suffering and endure the same obstacles as those around us and attain enlightenment thereby setting the example for others to do the same and be released from their sufferings.
“Anyone who understands why the Buddhas expound many sutras, who knows the position of this sutra in the series of sutras, and who expounds it after my extinction
according to its true meaning, will be able to eliminate the darkness of the living beings of the world where he walks about, just as the light of the sun and the moon
Eliminates all darkness…” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XXI)“Therefore, the man of wisdom who hears the benefits of these merits and who keeps this sutra after my extinction, will be able to attain the enlightenment of the Buddha Definitely and doubtlessly.” (Lotus Sutra, Chapter XXI)
