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Today, February 15, is Parinirvana Day in the Buddhist world, marking the anniversary of the Buddha’s death or Parinirvana. It’s a time to reflect on the truths of change, instability, and impermanence (anicca). On this day, it’s common to read scriptures regarding the Buddha’s death, especially the Mahaparinibbana Sutta. Traditionally, people visit temples for meditation and to reflect on the finite nature of life. Parinirvana Day is also a time to honor friends and family who have passed away by placing their images at the foot of an altar.
For me, this blog often serves as a kind of memento mori, reminding me of death. To my knowledge, five contributors to this blog have passed away: two I knew personally, and the others I only communicated with via email. I want to take this opportunity on Parinirvana Day to remember them and encourage you to read their articles.
First, there is Suvarnaprabha, which means “Golden Radiance.” She preferred to be called “Suvanna,” finding her full Sanskrit name cumbersome. Suvanna had a vibrant personality filled with humor, though she could be serious. I remember seeing Robin Williams perform in San Francisco with her, where we laughed until we had tears running down our faces. On the Wildmind blog, she wrote a humorous advice column called “Ask Auntie Suvanna.” Over time, the queries became increasingly somber, but her responses remained kind, wise, and often hilarious. You might enjoy her pieces on dealing with excess body hair and eating vegetarian monkey brains, or her article about teaching meditation in prison. Suvanna also documented her cancer journey in two blogs, one detailing her initial diagnosis and treatment, and the other, “Crap, I’ve Got Cancer,” covering the return of her illness.
Next is Saddhamala, meaning “She who is garlanded with faith.” We first connected via email around 1998, when I was at the Rocky Mountain Buddhist Center in Montana, and she was at the Aryaloka Buddhist Center in Newmarket, still known by her birth name, Nancy Nicolazzo. She worked as a chaplain and volunteer coordinator at a hospice where she eventually passed away. Saddhamala chose not to seek treatment for her metastatic cancer, knowing death was inevitable. She was also a consultant, once helping me improve my office space, with great results. Saddhamala wrote many insightful articles for Wildmind, often providing lists of practical tips for practice and occasionally sharing personal stories, like her family background.
Then there was Marcus, whom I only knew through social media. A therapist in California, Marcus was heavily tattooed, with many of his tattoos bearing Buddhist themes. He practiced at the San Francisco Zen Center and wrote an account of his spiritual journey for the Wildmind blog, titled “Bodhi art: reclaiming the body with Buddhist tattoos.” Marcus passed away in 2013; I never learned the details, but he was reportedly ill.
Another contributor I never met in person was Hazel Colditz, a talented photographer, documentary maker, and sculptor who lived in the Arizona desert. We connected on social media when she offered to review books for me. Hazel wrote three reviews for Wildmind and her perspectives were always engaging and enjoyable. She passed away in January 2012 after battling aggressive cancer.
Lastly, Navachitta was part of the Auckland, New Zealand sangha of the Triratna Buddhist Community and was ordained in 1990. Though we never met, we corresponded via email over the years. Navachitta was a therapist and active in the recovery community. She shared an amusing anecdote about a misunderstanding at a builder’s merchant in Britain, highlighting her sense of humor. She contributed three articles to Wildmind, discussing issues such as addiction to drama and the connection between novelty-seeking and addiction. Navachitta passed away in London at the age of 62 from a severe bacterial and viral infection.
These stories remind us that life is fleeting. While we often make assumptions about our longevity, none of us knows when our time will come. The Buddha encouraged awareness of death to inspire us to make the most of our lives. As we remember those who have passed, let their lives motivate us to live fully and with purpose.
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Hope you enjoyed learning about these incredible individuals and their contributions. Let’s cherish our lives and strive to live them to the fullest.