Bodhi Day, traditionally December 8th, is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gotama, experienced enlightenment, also known as Bodhi in Sanskrit or Pali. According to tradition, Siddhartha had recently forsaken years of extreme ascetic practices and decided to sit under a Pipul tree and simply meditate until he found the root of suffering, and how to liberate one's self from it.

Traditions vary on what happened. Some say he made a great vow to Heaven and Earth to find the root of suffering, or die trying. In other traditions, while meditating he was harassed and tempted by the Hindu god Mara, Lord of Illusion. Other traditions simply state that he entered deeper and deeper states of meditation, confronting the nature of the self.

Regardless, all traditions agree that as the Morning Star rose in the sky in the early morning, Siddhartha finally found the answers he sought and became Enlightened, and experienced Nirvana. Having done so, Siddhartha now became a Buddha or "Awakened One".

In Buddhist Culture

Bodhi Day is not as popularly celebrated as Wesak Day, the Birth of the Buddha, however, it is still observed in many mainstream Mahayana traditions including Zen and Shin Buddhist schools. In Zen it is also known as Rohatsu.

Like many Buddhist holidays, traditions and observances surrounding Bodhi Day vary depending on the culture in question, but Bodhi is widely seen as a reminder to Buddhists that with the right effort and understanding any person can become Enlightened.

Rohatsu

The word Rohatsu (Rōhatsu) is Japanese and literally means 8th Day of the 12th Month. It is typical for Zen monks and laymen followers to stay up all evening in the night before Rohatsu practising meditation and the holiday is often preceded by an intensive sesshin.

Rohatsu is not celebrated by other Mahayana schools of Buddhism for whom Wesak is the most important festival.