NEHAN-E (涅槃会)

Transmitted records say that Shakamuni Buddha died on the fifteenth day of the second lunar month, 483 BC. However, with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in Japan, Zen Buddhist communities adopted the commemoration of the Buddha's death on February 15th.

According to Buddhist doctrine, with the death of their physical body, enlightened beings attain Parinirvana in which all karmic ties are completely severed, and the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth is abandoned. Thus also the death of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha represents his final liberation, known more widely as Maha Parinirvana (or Nirvana Day).

In Japanese Soto Zen Buddhism, the Buddha's attainment of Parinirvana is celebrated with a ceremonial gathering called Nehan-e (涅槃会) which is one of the three major Buddhist celebrations (sandai hō-e 三大法会). The other two are the celebration of Buddha's birth (kanbutsu-e 灌仏会) on April 8th and the celebration of Buddha's enlightenment (jōdō-e成道会) on…