Rohatsu is Japanese for "eighth day of the twelfth month." In Japanese Buddhism, December 8 is commemorated as the ENLIGHTENMENT of the historical Buddha, also called Bodhi-Day.
In Zen temples, this is a joyful celebration at the end of a seven-day sesshin. Today, we are observing the enlightenment experience of Shakyamuni Buddha, when he saw the morning star. We will honor our own awakening with bows, chanting, and circumambulation of the zendo with drum accompaniment, and rain of flowers.
