This post is an adaptation of the lead article in the February 2021 Goji, newsletter of the Hawaii Betsuin.

February 15th marks the observance of Nirvana Day, when Shakyamuni Buddha (the historical Buddha) passed away. It is said that he was born as a prince of the Shakya clan about 2500 years ago, and he could have had a luxurious life. However, he realized that we all must get old, get sick, and someday must pass away even if we have everything we could wish for. So he left the castle to be a monk to seek true happiness. Six years later, he became a Buddha (awakened one) under the bodhi tree. After becoming the Awakened One, Shakyamuni Buddha traveled to many places to share his teachings. The Buddha passed away at the age of 80.

You may wonder what Shakyamuni Buddha taught. Shinran Shonin, the founder of Shin Buddhism told us that Shakyamuni appeared in this world to reveal Amida Buddha’s primal vow. Amida Buddha vowed to let all of us be born in the Pure Land and become awakened ones there. Needless to say, our lives will end someday. However, our death can be a transformation as we are born in the Pure Land. That is, Shakyamuni Buddha told us to take refuge in Amida Buddha.

On Nirvana day, let us extend our gratitude to Shakyamuni Buddha who revealed Amida Buddha’s Great Compassion.

Death of the Historical Buddha (Nehan-zu), NYC Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photo by Wally Gobetz (source). Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Shakyamuni Buddha asked Ananda, his disciple, to help him lay down. Ananda prepared a bed for him, and Buddha slowly lay down; facing west, his head was in the north direction, and his right arm hung down.

Lying down between twin Sala trees, he gave his final dharma talk, ending with this admonishment: ‘After I leave this world, make the Dharma your place of refuge. Make of yourself a light…all things in this world are impermanent. Follow the Dharma diligently.’ Those were his last words.

Shakyamuni Buddha passed away under the sala tree at the age of 80. Until the last moment of his life, he never stopped spreading the Dharma. The words he left, even 2500 years later, still vividly explain the truth of all life and all human nature to us. In this month of February, let us consider again what Buddha leaves for us.