Rohatsu

Seated Buddha (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York)

Rohatsu - the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month - is a time when Zen Buddhists commemorate Buddha's enlightement.  It starts on December 1st and ends on Rohatsu or Bodhi Day (December 8th).  In the seven days leading up to Rohatsu Day, Zen monks and lay practitioners spend their time in intensive silent meditation.  The Rinzai master, Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) exhorted his monks during Rohatsu to "sit this week with a daring spirit".  Be mindful. Sit hard. For all beings.