Bob Schwartz

December includes three notable religious holidays.

Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus. It is a major holiday, one of the two most important Christian holidays, and one that has become a secular celebration, especially in America.

Hanukkah, commemorating the retaking and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Religiously, it is a minor holiday, not even included in the Hebrew Bible. Traditionally, it has become a cultural and social counterbalance to Christmas, especially in America.

Bodhi Day isn’t about the birth of a significant person or about the military victory over a religious oppressor. It is about a man who sat under a tree and ultimately woke up, or, as it is usually put, attained enlightenment.

I never rely on AI to do my writing, but I have given my friend Claude a chance to concisely explain Bodhi Day observances:

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Bodhi Day (also known as Rohatsu in Japanese tradition) commemorates the day when Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. It’s typically observed on December 8th in the Mahayana tradition, though some traditions follow different calendars.

Here’s how Bodhi Day is observed in different parts of the world:

Japan (Rohatsu):

• The day marks the end of a weeklong sesshin (intensive meditation retreat) in Zen monasteries
• Practitioners often meditate through the night, mirroring the Buddha’s enlightenment experience
• Traditional decorations include strings of colored lights, representing the stars the Buddha saw upon enlightenment

Southeast Asian Countries:

• In countries like Thailand and Sri Lanka, the enlightenment is actually celebrated as part of Vesak Day in May
• Temples are decorated with flowers and lights
• Devotees participate in meditation sessions and listen to dharma talks
• Food offerings are made to monks and sharing meals with the community is common

United States and Western Countries:

• Buddhist temples and centers often hold special meditation sessions
• Some practitioners decorate small ficus trees (similar to the Bodhi tree) with lights
• Educational programs about the Buddha’s enlightenment are organized
• Many observe the day with a traditional breakfast of milk and rice, recalling the offering made to the Buddha by Sujata

China and Taiwan:

• Known as Laba Festival (腊八节)
• Traditionally celebrated with Laba congee, a special porridge made with various grains and dried fruits
• Temples hold ceremonies and offer free congee to visitors
• Many people visit temples to make offerings and pray for blessings

Modern Observances:

• Some Buddhists maintain a more contemplative practice, spending the day in meditation
• Many practitioners dedicate themselves to acts of kindness and compassion
• Some observe the day by reading Buddhist texts or sutras
• Virtual meditation sessions and teachings have become common, especially in recent years

The focus across all these observances remains on the core meaning of the Buddha’s enlightenment – the realization that freedom from suffering is possible through understanding and practicing the dharma.

Claude

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Each year I wonder what to say about Bodhi Day, the Buddha, and Buddhism. With a day to go, I still don’t know.

But tomorrow I will.