Parinirvana Day

열반재일

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Parinirvana Day, the 15^th day of the 2^nd lunar month, is the day the Buddha entered nirvana. The Buddha, who had healed the suffe​ring of all sentient beings for 45 years, entered into complete nirvana at the age of 80 on this day. To mark this day, some Buddhists read together a part from the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra (Pali: Mahāparinibbāna Sutta) which describes the Buddha’s giving his last instructions. In addition they also remind themselves of their own and their loved ones' inevitable deaths, as well as of the truth of impermanence. 

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​   Bhikkhus, I urge you to be always mindful:

​   All composite things are impermanent

​   Strive for your own liberation with vigilance

​   - Mahāparinibbāna Sutta

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​- excerpt from Buddhist English (Elementary 2) published in 2014 by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism​​