Celebration of the Renunciation Day of Shakyamuni Buddha

On the 8th day of the second lunar month is the Renunciation Day of Shakyamuni Buddha in Chinese Buddhism.

In 565 BCE, Prince Siddhartha was born in the ancient Indian kingdom of Kapilavastu. The prince was naturally intelligent, handsome, and skilled in both literature and martial arts. However, from a young age, he possessed a compassionate heart and a deep desire to seek the truth.

Having spent his life within the palace, one day he wished to venture outside the city for a tour. As he passed through the eastern, southern, western, and northern gates, he encountered a frail old man, a suffering sick person, a corpse covered in wounds and blood, and a solemn ascetic. These four encounters deeply shocked the prince, making him realize that all beings, including himself, were inevitably bound to the suffering of aging, illness, and death. Faced with such a tragic world and the contradictions of human existence, he pondered—how could one attain liberation?

On the eighth day of the second lunar month, at midnight, the moon shone brightly. Prince Siddhartha gazed at his sleeping wife and child, silently bidding them farewell. Resolutely, he left behind the luxurious palace his father had built for him. With only a charioteer and a horse, he departed from the royal palace, traveling a hundred miles through the night until he reached a forested area. There, he drew his sword and cut off his hair, donned the robe of an ascetic, and entered the forest where seekers practiced austere spiritual discipline. 

From that moment on, he embarked on a solitary path in search of the truth, vowing to find the ultimate liberation and freedom for all beings. He declared, "I do not seek peace and happiness for myself, but only wish that all beings may be freed from suffering." 

For six years, he endured extreme ascetic practices in the mountains. Eventually he gave up the ascetic practices and adopted the middle path. Finally, after meditating under the Bodhi tree, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha, realizing the profound truth: "All sentient beings inherently possess the wisdom and virtue of the Tathagata, yet they fail to realize it due to delusions and attachments." 

From then on, he devoted himself tirelessly to teaching and guiding others toward liberation, never ceasing in his mission to spread the Dharma for the benefit of all beings.

Renunciation is a transcendence of worldly life. It is a means to resolve the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death, to eliminate confusion, elevate one's state of being, perfect one's character, awaken to the truth of life, guide the masses, and benefit all sentient beings. 

In the endless cycle of rebirth, nothing is more precious than attaining a rare and fortunate human life, and even more so, having the opportunity to study and practice the Dharma. To renounce the world and dedicate oneself to the Dharma is an exceedingly rare and extraordinary opportunity. 

As stated in the Mahāratnakūṭa Sūtra (大宝积经): "Even if one were to fill worlds as numerous as the sands of the Ganges with treasures and offer them to the Buddha, it would not compare to renouncing the world and practicing tranquility for even a single day."

The merit of renunciation surpasses Mount Sumeru in height, is deeper than the ocean, and vaster than the boundless sky. Renunciation is an act of great courage—one that even kings, princes, and ministers may find difficult to undertake. 

To renounce the world is not to escape responsibility, but rather to become a guardian of the Dharma and a guide for both humans and celestial beings. The continuation of Buddhism throughout history has depended on generations of monks and nuns who, through great hardships and perseverance, have ensured its survival and transmission. 

Thus, the merit of renunciation is inconceivable, immeasurable, and boundless.

You can watch Jiawen’s series on the Life of the Buddha (8 episodes) -