Parinirvana

(also: Buddha's Parinirvana Day) Parinirvana means literally “fully blowing out” and refers to the physical death and final liberation of a Buddha or arhat. In the Theravada tradition, the parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha is observed in the month of May, on the same day that his birthday and enlightenment are also celebrated. Mahayana Buddhists observe the three events on separate dates.