What is [Higan]?
[Equinox] refers to the 3 days before and after the vernal equinox and autumnal equinox, for a total of 7 days, and is a period of self-reflection through visiting graves, caring for Buddhist altars, offering gratitude to the ancestors, and giving thanks. I am. The spring equinox is more familiar to people, but the autumn equinox is also known as the ``autumn equinox'' and the ``later equinox.''
In addition, the Vernal Equinox Day and Autumn Equinox Day are also designated as [national holidays].
●Vernal Equinox Day (Vernal Equinox Day)
A holiday to “honor nature and care for living things”
●Autumn equinox day (Autumn equinox day)
A holiday to honor our ancestors and remember those who have passed away
Originally, the equinox was a big event in the imperial court, and the vernal equinox day was valued as the ``Spring Imperial Spirit Festival,'' and the autumnal equinox day was valued as the ``Autumn Imperial Spirit Festival,'' so due to a change in the law, the names were changed to ``Vernal Equinox Day'' and ``Autumn Equinox Day.'' Even so, the customs have been inherited and it has been designated as a national holiday.
[Higan] is a Sanskrit word that means "world of enlightenment." The etymology comes from the Chinese translation of Paramitar, which means "To Higan". Paramita means "to complete" or "to come to fruition."
One might imagine that it originated in China or India, but in reality, there are no customs in these two countries. A custom unique to Japan is [Higan], which means "later Higan".
In Buddhism, it refers to the world of enlightenment without hesitation.
The world we live in now is called ``Shigan'' and is described as a world full of confusion and worldly desires.
In Japan, it was once believed that the Pure Land of Paradise was located in the west. The seven days before and after the vernal equinox, autumnal equinox, and autumnal equinox, when the sun sets due west, are the days when the day and night are the same length, and were considered to be the days when one could get closest to the Pure Land of Paradise. It is said that Buddhist services are held during these seasons because of this idea.