Bodhi Day

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Bodhi Day or The Buddha's Enlightenment is celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists on 8th December each year, or on other dates in some parts of the world. Among Mahayana Buddhists, this holiday celebrates the Buddha's attainment of understanding of the truth of existence, freeing himself from all human suffering, and finding perfect happiness. The date, 8th December, is based on the Japanese Buddhist calendar but Buddhists elsewhere celebrate on differing days.

The prince, Siddhartha Gautama, left his home and family and all his possessions behind at the age of 29 to discover the meaning of life, particularly its hardships. After six years of rigorous discipline and ascetic lifestyles under the guidance of a number of spiritual teachers, he still hadn't found what he was looking for.

Whilst travelling with a small group of fellow seekers, he went off by himself, broke his fast, and sat down under a pipal tree and vowed not to rise until he understood. It is said that he sat through the week, day and night, and on the eighth morning he came to the realisation which became the founding principles of what the modern world calls Buddhism.

Bodhi Day, usually observed on 8th December or (primarily in the Western world or those cultures which follow its patterns) the preceding Sunday, is the date on which, according to Mahayana tradition, Siddhartha Gautama realised the Four Noble Truths.

From that point on, he was referred to by his followers as the Buddha, the Enlightened One. He is also referred to as Shakyamuni (the sage of the Shakya clan) Buddha, Gautama Buddha, Shakanyorai (in Japanese), and many other names to distinguish him from Amida Buddha. [The Amida Buddah, in the Mahayana Temple's interpretation, is not seen as a historical figure but the idealised "Buddha of unlimited wisdom and compassion" and is equated with all of life itself, and thus signifies all of humanity.]

Traditions vary on what happened. Some say he made a great vow to Heaven and Earth to find the root of suffering, or die trying. In other traditions, while meditating he was harassed and tempted by the Hindu god Mara, Lord of Illusion. Still other traditions simply state that he entered deeper and deeper states of meditation, confronting the nature of the self.

Regardless, all traditions agree that as the Morning Star rose in the sky Siddhartha finally found the answers he sought and became Enlightened, experiencing Nirvana. Having done so, Siddhartha became a Buddha or "Awakened One".

Bodhi Day is not as popularly celebrated as Wesak Day, the Birth of the Buddha, however, it is still observed in many mainstream Mahayana traditions including the Zen and Shin Buddhist schools, where it is known as Rohatsu.

Typical of many Buddhist holidays, traditions and observances surrounding Bodhi Day vary depending on the culture in question, but Bodhi is widely seen as a reminder to Buddhists that with the right effort and understanding any person can become Enlightened.