Members of the Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group in Fort Myers celebrated Bodhi Day on Sunday alongside Buddhists around the world. Bodhi Day is celebrated each year on Dec. 8 to commemorate the enlightenment of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.
Mary Tracy Siglin, the group's Dharma teacher, emphasized the importance of Bodhi Day celebrations:
Reminding myself, on Bodhi Day, that it is a celebration not only of the Buddha's enlightenment, but also of our enlightenment – and that our enlightenment is possible and that we must continue our practice of trying to help people know the Dharma and trying to make their lives happier, because that is really what we all want: to be happy. We all want to have joy in our lives and we all want to be able to live in harmony with each other. (WGCU)
The Bodhi Day celebrations marked a turning point for the Buddhist group as they search for a new place to practice.
“There are so many churches that are financially strapped. I mean, (Hurricane) Ian and COVID really did a number on a lot of congregations in Fort Myers,” Siglin said. “So yeah, unfortunately, we’re going to have to look for another space.” (WGCU)
Rissho Kosei-kai, which focuses primarily on lay or family Buddhist practice, was founded in Japan in 1938 by Nikkyo Niwano, with about thirty members at the beginning.
The Rissho Kosei-kai school teaches Ekayana (One Vehicle) Buddhism, encompassing the sravaka (listener), pratyekabuddha (solitary Buddha) and the bodhisattva paths. Their main practice is to chant the Lotus Sutrawhich they believe holds the true essence of Buddhadharma.
The focus of Bodhi Day is the realization of Siddhartha Gautama. More than 2 years ago, he left his father's palace, hoping to find a way to end all suffering. After years of study, he found himself meditating alone under a pipal tree in Bodh Gaya, in the present-day Indian state of Bihar.
Word "bodhi» means “to awaken” or “one who is awakened” in its most literal translation from Sanskrit and Pali. However, the term is generally understood to refer to “Enlightenment.”
Emeritus Professor Phillip Almond of the Institute for Advanced Study in the Humanities at the University of Queensland in Australia, described Siddhartha's journey:
He was determined not to get up until he had solved the problem. Sitting at the foot of the Bodhi tree, facing east, he began a meditation that was to last all night. That night Gautama knew directly the true nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to ending it. (Associated Press)
Traditionally, Buddhists around the world celebrate this holiday in different ways. Some hold week-long meditation retreats, others make offerings and chant sutras.
In Zen Buddhist schools in Japan, Bodhi Day is known as Rohatsu. In other Buddhist countries, such as Laos and Myanmar, the Buddha's enlightenment is celebrated as part of Vesak. During this period, Buddhists celebrate the Buddha's life and offer robes and food to monks.
For the Risho Kosei-kai Buddhist group in Fort Myers, flowers play an important role in the celebrations.
“We always put fresh flowers on the altar, so that the altar is even more beautiful on Bodhi Day,” Siglin said. “It’s out of gratitude – for all the food and sustenance that we receive daily without even asking for it. Our lives are sustained by this divine life force and we say thank you.” (WGCU)
See more
Bodhi Day Brings Hope to Fort Myers Lay Buddhist Community (WGCU)
What is Bodhi Day? And when do Buddhists celebrate it? (Associated Press)
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The article Buddhists Celebrate Bodhi Day in Fort Myers, Florida appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.
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