Nirvana Day is the commemoration of Buddha's death at the age of 80, when he reached the zenith of Nirvana.
Nirvana is believed to be the end of the cycle of death and rebirth. Buddhism teaches that Nirvana is reached when all want and suffering is gone.
Most Buddhists celebrate Nirvana Day on the 15 February. Others celebrate it on 8 February. It is also known as Parinirvana Day.
Siddhartha Gautama, Gautama Buddha, is a Hindu who lived between the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. He was born in Lumbini, present-day Nepal, to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. Many scholars argue that he was born in the Shakya community, which was ruled by a republic-like council, and he must be from one of the ruling families.
Being moved by the suffering of life and death and its endless repetition due to rebirth, Gautama renounced his title and inheritance. He embarked on a journey to find liberation from suffering – Nirvana. After several attempts at understanding the meaning of living without suffering, he finally attained "awakening" and became the Buddha — the enlightened one.
Gautama began teaching his doctrine, Dharma, initiated monks into his Sangha order, and trained nuns. Gautama died at the age of 80 in Kushinagar, India, attaining the final nirvana — parinirvana. His death has been celebrated every year since then.
The word Nirvana means "to extinguish," such as extinguishing the flame of a candle. People of ancient India considered fire to be a bit of atmosphere that had become trapped by fuel. This bit of atmosphere burns angrily and fitfully until it is released to become cool, peaceful air again.
Some schools of Buddhism explain Nirvana as a state of bliss or peace, and this state may be experienced in life, or it may be entered into at death. The Buddha taught that Nirvana was beyond human imagination, and so speculation about what Nirvana is like is foolish.
The Buddha attained Nirvana when he came to understand the Four Noble Truths.
Life involves suffering
Suffering is due to having desires
Suffering can be ended by overcoming desires
The way to end suffering is by following the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is often represented as a wheel, known as the Wheel of Dharma. 'Dharma' is an ancient Sanskrit word used to refer to the the Buddha's teachings.
See below for a description of the teachings.
Source: beasoulninja.com
Buddhists may celebrate Nirvana Day by meditating or by going to Buddhist temples or monasteries.
In monasteries, Nirvana Day is treated as a social occasion. Food is prepared and some people bring presents such as money, household goods or clothes.
On Nirvana Day, Buddhists think about their lives and how they can gain the perfect peace of Nirvana. They remember friends or relations who have recently died. They reflect on the fact that death is a part of life for everyone.
The idea that nothing stays the same is important to Buddhism. Buddhists believe that loss and change are things to be accepted rather than causes of sadness.
source: bbc.co.uk