On the 15th day of the second lunar month, Buddha Parinirvana Day, many people come to the Than Hsiang Temple, either to offer lights and pay homage to the Buddha in the Great Compassion Hall, or to enjoy delicious vegetarian food in the canteen.

At approximately 10:45 am, everyone gathers in the Main Shrine Hall on the sixth floor to participate in the noon offering before the Buddha. The Sangha, dressed in solemn Dharma robes, leads everyone in chanting sutras together. In the Main Shrine Hall, the Buddha statues are compassionate and dignified, and everyone chants in unison, with each verse filled with sincere devotion. After the chanting, under the Sangha’s leading, everyone moves in an orderly manner to the “Yan Sheng Tan” in the Great Compassion Hall for the dedication and then to the “San Sheng Dian” for subsequent dedication ceremonies. Throughout the ceremonies, everyone chants attentively and with focus. As the dedication ceremonies conclude, the offering ceremony for Buddha Parinirvana Day officially ends.

Buddha Parinirvana Day commemorates the Buddha's Parinirvana. When the Buddha was eighty years old, knowing that he was about to enter Parinirvana, he and his disciples set off from Vaishali to Kushinagar. Along the way, although the Buddha suffered from illness, he maintained inner peace and compassion for all sentient beings. After arriving in Kushinagar, the Buddha lay down between two twin sal trees and gave his final teachings. The Buddha gathered his disciples and taught them to “take the precepts as their teacher and practice diligently.” After giving his final teachings, the Buddha entered Parinirvana.

The Buddha’s Parinirvana symbolizes the impermanence of the world; even the Buddha had to experience the impermanence of birth and death. Although the Buddha has entered Parinirvana, his teachings will continue to guide all the sentient beings towards enlightenment.

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More photos: https://thanhsiang.org/ch/node/6426
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