How does one go about observing Bodhi Day?

SteadyBlue

Hi all,

I'm very new to the whole Buddhism thing, but I do know that Bodhi Day is tomorrow. What, if anything special, should I do in order to observe it properly?

Thanks, and with metta,

-SB

johnathan

Hey SteadyBlue... thanks for the reminder

This I copied from the Wikipedia:

Individuals may choose to commemorate the event through additional meditation, study of the Dharma, chanting of Buddhist texts (sutras), or performing kind acts towards other beings. Some Buddhists celebrate with a traditional meal of tea, cake, and readings.

from another site:

Bodhi Day, the day of enlightenment, can be celebrated in many ways. To the Buddhist, it is a day of remembrance and meditation, much like the Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus on December 25th.

To the layman, a good way of recognizing this important event in Buddhism is to dwell on its meaning and place reminders in the home of this event. Often, colored lights are strung about the home to recognize the day of enlightenment. They are multi-colored to symbolize the many pathways to enlightenment. The lights are turned on each evening beginning on December 8th and for 30 days thereafter. A candle is also lit for these thirty days to symbolize enlightenment.

In Buddhist homes, you will sometimes see a fiscus tree of the genus ficus religiousa. Beginning on Bodhi Day, these trees are decorated with multi-colored lights, strung with beads to symbolize the way all things are united, and hung with three shiny ornaments to represent the Three Jewels - The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

A meal of rice and milk is significant on this holiday. According to Buddhist legend, Sujata offered this to the Buddha upon his awakening to help him regain strength.

To get children involved in this holiday, make cookies in the shape of a tree to symbolize the Bodhi Tree, or make leaf shaped cookies. The leaves of the Bodhi tree are heart shaped, so a Valentine's Day cookie cutter would be appropriate.

hermitwin

What is that? Learn meditation.

SteadyBlue

Thanks Jonathan :-)

Engyo

SteadyBlue wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm very new to the whole Buddhism thing, but I do know that Bodhi Day is tomorrow. What, if anything special, should I do in order to observe it properly?

Thanks, and with metta,

-SB

Hi, SB -

That would probably differ depending on which tradition and school you practice with, if any.

We do a service that acknowledges the contribution made by Shakyamuni, as the original teacher, who originally awoke and chose to teach us. A statue of the buddha is placed under a representation of the bodhi tree. Each person taking part takes a small candle, lights it, and places it as an offering before the statue. This symbolizes our own light, added to the light of the Dharma, and our participation in the aspiration for bodhi ourselves.

genkaku

Just be the Buddha you are. That's probably enough.

sukhita

If you're looking for 'props' to make it a 'special' day, maybe you could place these items on the altar, if you have one, (and contemplate their significance):

• Candle - dispels the darkness of delusion and shines the light of wisdom.
• Incense - as fragrance fills the room, may the dharma fill the universe.
• Flower - brightly coloured and scented now, but like my body, will wither and die (impermanence).

But this is not necessary, as many on this forum will say...

Jeffrey

With music. A special song or CD? A sound of laughter? Water running? Kids ???ing. Who knows.

Or just a shell offered. Or something that makes a sound. Hey I don't know what to do either.

I'll sleep and I lit the fire tonight. Amen.