Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Thursday, December 8th. There are until the next observance.

Every year on December 8, Japan observes Bodhi Day. It is traditionally observed on the eighth day of the 12th month of the lunisolar calendar. The day is known as Rohatsu in Japan, and it was relocated to its current date when Emperor Meiji began westernizing Japan and introducing the Gregorian calendar. It is a spiritually uplifting day that will benefit many people.

📆 When is Bodhi Day?

This year, Bodhi Day is on December 8th. It is the 2nd Thursday in December; in 2023, it is on Friday.

→ Did you know: It is a very old sacred fig tree from the Ficus religiosa family.

You can also view all exciting things you didn’t know about and facts about December 8, 2022.

📜 History of Bodhi Day

He meditated in Bodh Gaya, a village in northeastern India, under a peepal tree (a kind of Banyan fig), now known as the Bodhi Tree, and decided to keep meditating until he attained “bodhi” (‘enlightenment’). After 49 days of constant meditation, he acquired bodhi at the age of 35. He was now able to perceive how everything and everyone was related, which led him to construct the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), Samudaya (arising), Nirodha (cessation), and Magga (way), in which the Eightfold Path is laid out.

Buddhists observe this day by meditating, studying the “dharma” (‘universal truth or law’), chanting sutras (Buddhist literature), and committing acts of kindness to other beings. Some individuals celebrate the day in a more traditional way by making tea and pastries. Bodhi tree plantings are held throughout the month and are frequently followed by tea rituals, while incense and multi-colored lights are shown in Tokyo and towns and villages around the country the following month.

However, Bodhi Day is not an official holiday in Japan; only Buddhists, who account for around 34% of the population, mark the day.

☑️ Bodhi Day facts

✅ It can grow anywhere
It came from Bodh Gaya and can now be found in many places around the world.

✅ It is religiously symbolic
Its leaves are nearly always depicted as heart-shaped in religious imagery.

✅ Nourished by constant water
It grows near the Falgu River’s banks in Gaya, India.

✨ Things to do on Bodhi Day

⚡ Make some decorations
To commemorate the day of his awakening, decorate the house with photographs or little figurines of the Buddha under a fig tree. To signify enlightenment, candles and other lights can be lit.

⚡ Join the prayers
During the night, Buddhists congregate and pray. Participating in these prayers will guarantee that you enjoy a spiritually rejuvenating experience.

⚡ Share the message of enlightenment
This is an excellent day to inform people about Bodhi’s lessons. Who knows how many others you’ll be assisting in becoming better versions of themselves?

📅 Bodhi Day Observances

Learn all December holidays, including Religious and other Buddhist holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and must-know facts about Bodhi Day. So be sure to check back soon.