February 12, 2012. Nirvana Day and February Shotsuki service.
Nirvana Day is the observance of the passing of Shakyamuni Buddha.
When Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment at the age of 35, he was addressed as the Buddha, the Enlightened One, or Shakyamuni, a sage of the Shakya clan. The Nirvana which he attained at the age of 35, was called Nirvana with a physical body. He began his propagation of the Buddha Dharma at this time.
After forty five years of the propagation of the Buddha Dharma, Shakyamuni Buddha died at the age of 80 on February 15th according to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, and his death was called Nirvana without physical body. Nirvana after his death was called No-Abiding Nirvana, which means Nirvana everywhere.
Death (passing away physically) in Buddhism means the birth into the Pure Land of the Buddha. It is a beginning of the activities of the Buddha. Even without the physical presence of the deceased, we are always receiving the compassionate guidance of those who have passed away, in our daily lives.
As we observe Nirvana Day and February Shotsuki, the memorial for all our loved ones who passed away in the month of February, we reflect on the teachings of the Amida Buddha, and all those who have entered the pure land.
Namo Amida Butsu.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 3:00PM 
