In the Alagaddupama Sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha called Buddhist practice the raft that enables all people on "this shore" to cross the "sea of suffering" and reach the "other (or further) shore." “This shore” is called “Shigan” and refers to the world filled with suffering and the three poisons of anger, greed and ignorance. "Higan" translates as the "other shore" and refers to enlightenment, Buddahood and the cessation of suffering. We practice the Buddha's teachings in order to safely cross from this shore of illusion and attachment to the other shore of enlightenment. Higan Service is a memorial service for the departed and for our ancestors held during the time of the equinox in both March and September. Traditionally, it is said that when daytime is the same length as night time, a human beings' mind veers into a more spiritual state of mind. It is also thought that at equinox the spirits of the departed are closest to the world of the living. We take Higan service as an opportunity to send the merits of our practice to our departed ancestors, relatives, friends and acquaintances as we also reflect upon our own lives.
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