Today, February 15, is observed as Parinirvana Day in many parts of the Buddhist world. It marks the anniversary of the Buddha’s death, also known as Parinirvana, and serves as a reminder of the essential truth of change, instability, and impermanence (anicca).
On Parinirvana Day, it’s customary to read scriptures on the Buddha’s death, like the Mahaparinibbana Sutta. People also visit temples to meditate and reflect on the limited nature of our lives. It’s a time to remember friends and family who have passed away, often by placing their photos at the foot of an altar.
For me, this blog acts as a reminder of mortality. To my knowledge, five contributors have passed away: two whom I knew personally and others I only communicated with via email. I wanted to take this Parinirvana Day to remember them and encourage readers to explore their articles.
The first is Suvarnaprabha, meaning “Golden Radiance.” She had a vibrant personality filled with humor and preferred to be called “Suvanna.” She could be deeply serious but often made people laugh. I have fond memories of seeing Robin Williams perform with her in San Francisco, laughing until tears streamed down our faces.
On Wildmind’s blog, she wrote an advice column called “Ask Auntie Suvanna.” Initially intended to be humorous, the column evolved as requests for help became more poignant. Suvanna’s responses were always kind and wise, often mixed with humor. Some standout pieces include her approach to excess body hair and vegetarian monkey brains. She also documented her battle with cancer in two blogs, detailing her initial diagnosis and treatment, and later, the story of the cancer’s return.
Next is Saddhamala, whose name means “She who is garlanded with faith.” We first connected in 1998 when I was at the Rocky Mountain Buddhist Center in Montana, and she was at Aryaloka Buddhist Center in Newmarket. We met in person when I later moved to Newmarket. Known as Nancy in her hospice work, she passed away in a hospice after deciding not to seek treatment for her metastasized cancer. Saddhamala was a skilled consultant who once helped me make my office more efficient. She wrote extensively for Wildmind, offering practical tips for practice and sometimes delving into personal stories.
Marcus was a therapist in California who practiced at the San Francisco Zen Center. Although we never met in person, we connected on social media. Marcus was notable for his many Buddhist-themed tattoos. He wrote an article for Wildmind’s blog about his journey and Buddhist tattoos, illustrated with photos. Marcus passed away in 2013, but the exact cause remains unknown.
Hazel Colditz was another contributor I never met in person. A talented photographer, documentarian, and sculptor, she lived in the Arizona desert. We met on social media when she reviewed books for me. She wrote three reviews, each thoughtful and enjoyable. Hazel passed away in January 2012 after battling aggressive cancer and undergoing multiple major surgeries.
Navachitta was part of the Auckland, New Zealand sangha of the Triratna Buddhist Community. Ordained in 1990, we corresponded via email for many years, and I appreciated her encouragement. A therapist active in the recovery community, she shared her insights in an interview with North West Buddhist Recovery. One funny story she shared involved a mix-up at a builder’s merchant in Britain where her New Zealand accent led to some confusion. She wrote three articles and reviews for Wildmind’s blog. Navachitta passed away at 62 in London due to a severe bacterial and viral infection.
I hope these stories encourage you to explore the work of these individuals. Their deaths remind us how unpredictable life can be and emphasize the importance of making the most of our time. The Buddha encouraged mindfulness of death not to instill fear, but to inspire us to live our best lives.
Let’s mourn our losses with an understanding of their inevitability, and use them as motivation to live fully. Life is brief, and recognizing its transient nature can inspire us to make the most of every moment.