In the Zen school, Rohatsu – the anniversary of the Buddha’s Enlightenment is traditionally celebrated in early December by meditating through the night to the dawn. It is said that the Buddha sat down beneath the Bodhi tree and made the great resolve, “Though only my bones and sinews remain and my skin and flesh wither away, I will not leave this place until I realise complete  enlightenment”. He practiced through the night.

In the Denkoroku (The Transmission of the Light) Zen Master Keizan picks up the story:

Shakyamuni Buddha realized enlightenment on seeing the morning star. He said, ” I and all beings on earth together realize enlightenment simultaneously.”

After this great realisation, he spent the forty years of the rest of his life helping others to find what he’d found. This is the essence of Zen – to find the happiness that doesn’t depend on external conditions and to be a useful person in the world.

At our training place, Yugagyo Dojo, Camberwell, London, we’re celebrating the anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment with all night zazen meditation, December 6th-7th, 9pm-8am. There will also be sanzen, private practice interviews. You are very welcome to join us. Places are limited so you can book on the zenyoga.org.uk website.

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