The Big Island Buddhist Federation will host a Bodhi Day Service in celebration of the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha, the awakened one, formally known as Prince Siddharta Gautama.
The Big Island Buddhist Federation will host a Bodhi Day Service in celebration of the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha, the awakened one, formally known as Prince Siddharta Gautama.
The service is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Hilo Higashi Hongwanji Mission at 216 Mohouli St.. Folks from all denominations are welcome to attend this free and enlightening service.
For more information, contact the Rev. Marcos Sawada or David Kohara, president, at 935-8968.
Siddharta (meaning “Every Wish Fulfilled”) was the son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya. According to the sacred texts describing the birth, he took seven steps, pointing to heaven and earth and proclaimed, “In the heavens above and on the earth below, I alone am the World Honored One. All that exists in the Three Worlds is suffering, but I shall bring its relief.”
Occasionally, Siddharta would exit the sheltered and protective palace encountering the real world of old age, sickness and death. These traumatic events heightened the prince’s awareness of the unresolved cycle of birth and death all must endure.
At the age of 29, Siddharta gave up his princely status, abandoned his beloved family and sought spiritual awakening among the “forest ascetics.”
For six arduous years of severe practice, Siddharta’s mind and body weakened so much that he was near death. He pulled back from death, realizing he could not attain awakening pursuing such an extreme course.
Eventually, Siddharta regained his health and courage to continue his quest. Sitting under a bodhi tree on the outskirts of Gaya, he vowed not to rise until he realized awakening, and he entered into a deep meditative state.
As awakening neared, Siddharta overcame the threat of death and internal seduction of base passions.
On the eighth day of the 12th month at age 35, Siddharta found spiritual release from the agony of old age, illness and death. He became the Awakened One, the Buddha.
He is honored by all humankind as the founder of historical Buddhism, having awakened the Dharma of great wisdom and compassion to share with the world.