What is Higan?
Higan is a Buddhist term in Japan that refers to a period of spiritual reflection and practice observed twice a year during the spring and autumn equinoxes. The word “Higan” literally means “the other shore,” symbolizing the crossing from the “shore of suffering” (this worldly existence) to the “shore of enlightenment” (nirvana).
This period is conceptually similar to the Obon holiday in Japan. However, it is celebrated at different times. Additionally, while the general population celebrates Obon, more devout Buddhists practice Higan.
The equinoxes are characterized by the time of day and night being of equal length. The dates of Higan vary each year. This year, the first higan period was from March 17th to March 23rd. The second Higan period is from September 19th to September 25th.During these days, the sun rises from the “true east” and sets in the “true west”. In Buddhism, the True West is believed to be in the direction where Amitabha’s Pure Land is.
Higan Iri (彼岸入り), literally meaning “entering Higan,” marks the beginning of a traditional Buddhist observance in Japan known as Higan (彼岸). This period occurs twice a year, during the spring and autumn equinoxes, and spans seven days—three days before and three days after the equinox itself. Higan Iri refers specifically to the first day of this week-long period.
Higan (彼岸, lit. "distant shore") is a Buddhist holiday exclusively celebrated by Japanese sects for seven days; three days before and after both the Spring equinox (shunbun) and Autumnal equinox (shūbun). It is observed by nearly every Buddhist school in Japan. The tradition extends from mild weather that occurs during the time of equinoxes, though the origin of the holiday dates from Emperor Shōmu in the 8th century. People who normally worked in the fields had more leisure time to evaluate their own practices, and to make a renewed effort to follow Buddhism. The seasons beginning to change is a symbol that Buddhists should change their lives in order to reach enlightenment.Today, special services are usually observed in Japanese Buddhist temples, and Japanese temples abroad, based on the particular Buddhist tradition or sect.
It is said that “heat and cold last until the equinox” (Atsusa samusa-mo higan-made).
This week has been quite chilly, but hopefully, spring will start to feel closer soon.
“Higan (彼岸)” means another world. It originally meant spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism.
Today, it is a time when people visit their ancestors’ graves and offer botamochi at the family altar.
Origin of Higan
Higan is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit term for "the Other Shore". The cycle of death and rebirth (saṃsāra) is "this shore", and in Buddhism, crossing to the other shore is used to refer to the attainment of nirvana.
In Pure Land Buddhism, the Pure Land of Amida Buddha, is seen as being located in the west, and the length of day and night are the same twice a year at the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, when the sun rises due east and sets due west. The sun rises in the true East and sets in the true West during the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, when the length of day and night are the same twice a year, so practitioners would revere the sun setting in the West and ponder the far-off Pure Land. It has been said that the gate to the other world opens during the equinoxes, when day and night, East and West, are parallel. Nowadays, Higan is often explained as a Buddhist event in this way. Eventually, the purpose of the event changed to that of an ancestor memorial service, and it became firmly established.
However, since Higan is uniquely Japanese and not found in Indian or Chinese Buddhism, folklorists estimate that it may have originally originated in ancient Japanese folk beliefs in the sun and ancestral spirits. Shigeru Gorai states that the word Higan, a word from the sun worship to pray to the sun for a good harvest, was later combined with Buddhism. He points out that the combination of folk customs, the name of Higan, and its timing became a Buddhist event, and became a major part of daily life as a seasonal custom.
History of Higan
In the 25th year of the Enryaku era (806), the first Buddhist Higan-e ceremony was held in Japan. In the February entry of the Nihon Shoki, it is written that "every year, for seven days around the spring and autumn equinoxes, the 'Kongo Hannya Paramita Sutra' was recited for Prince Sawara to appease his grudge. On March 17, the Grand Council of State) of the Imperial Court issued an order to have monks of the provincial temples in the "Five Kinai and Seven Provinces" recite the Kongo Hannya Paramita Sutra for seven days around the spring and autumn equinoxes . The document that issued this order made it a regular event, which later became the Higan-e ceremony. In the first year of the Bun'o era (1260), Emperor Kameyama banned killing on the six austerity days and during the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes
What is Higanbana in japanese?
The name “彼岸花” (higanbana) comes from Japanese, and it means “flower of the autumn equinox”. As the name suggests, these flowers bloom in autumn, from September to early October.
Why is Higan celebrated?
Celebrated during the equinoxes, Higan serves as a time for honoring ancestors, personal reflection, and spiritual growth. It reinforces core Buddhist virtues such as generosity, patience, and mindfulness. Observing Higan, people engage in rituals, bridging the gap between daily life and spiritual enlightenment.
Are there any notable higan symbols?
Red spider lilies are autumn flowers.
The appearance of red spider lilies signals the arrival of fall in Japan. These striking flowers commonly bloom near rice fields and along roadsides. Although they are beautiful individually, they are best enjoyed in large meadows outside major cities.
Cultural and Religious Practices
Higan is an important Buddhist holiday focusing on remembering ancestors and developing good qualities. During this time, people visit and clean their family graves, bring flowers, incense, and food for their loved ones who have passed away, and pray for their spirits. These activities help honor the memories of those who have died, encourage people to think about their lives, and promote kindness and compassion.
It’s also a time to think about six essential virtues from Mahāyāna Buddhism, each with a special Japanese name. Fuse means being generous and giving without expecting anything in return. Jikai stands for morality, which is about following good rules and behaving well in society.
Ninniku represents patience, encouraging people to endure tough times without complaining. Shojin means diligence, which is about staying dedicated and working hard over a long time rather than just for a short while. Zenjo is the practice of meditation, helping people calm their minds and develop other virtues. Finally, chie means wisdom, about seeing things as they are without letting personal feelings get in the way.
Higan originally meant the opposite side, and it derived from the world of enlightenment in Buddhism. People visit a grave to pray to go to the world of enlightenment because people who believe Pure Land sect of Buddhism will go to the world of enlightenment after death. Some temples held a Buddhist memorial service and festival this week.
Many Japanese accept young people visiting a grave this week, but that is only Japanese custom. Many Buddhists in other countries don't visit a grave this week. Japanese in the past praised nature and took care of animals tenderly on the middle day of this week called Shunbunnohi. They also respected their ancestors in the middle day of this week of autumn called Shuubunnohi. Visiting a grave in this week is influenced these Japanese culture
By the way, there is a custom to offer and eat Botamochi. Botamochi is a soft rice cake covered with sweetened bean paste. It is named from the spring flower Botan which is a paeony, mochi means rice cake in Japanese.On the other hand, Ohagi is eaten in the equinoctial week of autumn. It is named after the autumn flower Hagi which is Lespedeza(Japanese bush clovers).
- Ohagi
During Higan, people commonly made and offered ohagi to their ancestors. Ohagi is a rice dumpling made from glutinous and red bean paste. It’s usually the size of a tiny fist and are placed on the altars of their loved ones as offerings. Typically, ohagi is made at home, but nowadays, you can easily find it in most supermarkets.
- Botamochi
Many Japanese think it is the same, but some of them think Botamochi has smooth bean paste and Ohagi has bean paste containing beans intact. These are sold in grocery stores or convenience stores or Japanese-style confectionery stores, and are priced at around 100 yen(one dollar).
You can experience Japanese culture through Botamochi if you travel to Japan in March.
Summary:
Higan Iri (彼岸入り) marks the beginning of Higan, a traditional Japanese observance during the spring and autumn equinoxes. Higan is a time to honor ancestors, reflect on life and death, and connect with the changing seasons. The week-long observance is steeped in rituals, such as visiting family graves and offering food, flowers, and incense. This spiritual tradition symbolizes a balance between the physical world and the afterlife, offering a chance for inner peace and contemplation. Higan Iri, the start of this period, invites individuals to pause and reflect on their own spiritual journey and the importance of familial bonds.
Curious about the deeper meaning behind Higan Iri and the significance of the equinox in Japanese culture? Join the discussion and share your thoughts or experiences with seasonal traditions in the comments below!
