AKI-NO HIGAN ( 秋の彼岸 )

O-HIGAN (お彼岸) is a Buddhist holiday that is celebrated both in spring and autumn during Equinox.

HIGAN means "the other bank of the Sanzu River," an expression commonly used in Buddhist literature to refer to enlightenment.  The name is associated with the Alagaddupama Sutta of the Pali Canon, where Buddha compares the path to Enlightenment with the crossing of the river. One goes from this shore of ignorance and suffering to the other shore of enlightenment and peace.

The focus of O-Higan is on“buildingthe raft and crossing the river of ignorance” through a renewed determinationto reach the enlightenment and teaching of the Six Perfections.  This teaching explains the six practices that provide the path to enlightenment: giving, precepts, perseverance, diligence, zazen, and wisdom.