"In the Presence of Nibbāna - Nibbānasantike” Meditation & Dhamma Talk with Ven. Tathālokā Therī

“Paṭipatti pūja” is a gesture of respect for our Kalyanamittas, our spiritual benefactors - honoring them with the highest and most beneficial kind of respect: the offering of our Dhamma practice: listening to and contemplating the Dhamma and training our minds through meditation.

On the recently past Māgha full moon on February 5th, we celebrated Magha Puja Sangha Day.

As this past Magha full moon remembers the announcement of the impending Parinibbana of the Buddha, so too it also commemorates another event: Mahapajapati Gotami, the foster mother of the Buddha as well as the founding mother of the Bhikkhuni Sangha, decided her own Parinibbana (final Nirvana) and commenced seven straight days of offering her final teachings [1,2]. A large number of her awakened bhikkhuni companions who had ordained together with her thirty years before decided they would follow her in going to final nirvana too. Then, on the Atthāmī Uposatha, the lunar eighth day, which is the half moon day following the Magha full moon – the great arahanti Mahā Gotamī Therī and the Courageous Founding 500 Great Arahat Bhikkhunis entered their great final nirvana (their Parinibbāna) together. The texts remember it as a very special day for the Sangha, with the Buddha himself offering Maha Gotami’s eulogy, her cremains held in his alms bowl in his hands, before their enshrinement in a stupa in Vaishali (Vesali).

In Pali, we call this special day:  Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī saddhiṃ Mahārahantī Pañcasatabhikkuṇīparivārehi Parinibbāṇaṃ Aṭṭhamī

In English translation of the Pali:  The Eighth Day Parinibbana Day of Mahapajapati Gotami together with her 500 Bhikkhuni Arahant Companions

This year, the half moon, the eighth day, is Sunday February 12th (or it may be on Feb 13th for those on the other side of the world). Ayya Tathaloka, with her great appreciation for their early bhikkhuni arahati disciples of the Buddha, it being winter retreat time, is welcoming all Venerable Bhikkhunis and Dhamma friends who would like to join her on the half moon Atthami Uposatha in offering Paṭipatti pūja, the gift of our practice, on the evening of Sunday February 12th.

The program will be Sunday evening from 7-9pm Pacific Standard Time. Please use a time zone converter for your local times. All of the events will be streamed on YouTube.com | Dhammadharini Monastery, so you can watch live or at your suitable time.

If you would like to learn more about the inspiring story of Mahapajapati Gotami’s Parinibbana, here are some resources:

• The Story of the Parinibbāna of Mahāpajāpati Gotamī Therī: Texts, Voice, Legacy - Ven. Tathaloka Theri’s presentation from the 2022 United Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha International (UTBSI) commemoration of this day (detailed presentation rich in information, 1 hour).
• Album of pictures commemorating Mahapajapati Gotami (5 mins).
• Going Forth & Going Out ~ the Parinibbana of Mahapajapati Gotami - written reflection from Ven. Tathaloka Theri (10 mins read).

All Dhamma programs offered by our Bhikkhuni Dhamma and Meditation teachers are freely offered as Dhamma Dana, in the way of the Buddha.  If you would like information on offering Dana of useful requisites or supplies to our Bhikkhunis’ community in honor of Mahapajapati Gotami Parinibbana Day, or on how to support our Dhammadharini teachers and their efforts, the Dhammadharini Support Foundation is the steward of our Bhikkhunis’ Sangha–welcome see their support page on dhammadharini.net.