Diwali is short for Deepāvali, which means a row of lamps. The one who lights the lamp is Dipānkar (mas.) or Dipānkarā (fem.). The practice of lighting lamps is an invitation to live the present moment joyfully. Light signifies mindfulness. Lighting lamps on Diwali signifies that we are mindful and willing to share our joy with others.
Dipānkarā lights five diyas (lamps) of mindfulness on each of the five days of Diwali.
The first day is the day of protecting life. It is the day of Ayurveda, the health science. According to the Sankhya School, what we consume can be divided into three categories - sātvik, rājasik and tāmasik. Rājasik foods are those which likely foster worldly desires like meat, onions etc. Tāmasik foods like garlic foster laziness. Sātvik foods like spinach, fruits, rice, wheat etc. are good for health. Protecting life also means consuming only vegan food. We also feed animals on this day.
The second day symbolizes the end of exploitation. On this day we share what we have with others practicing true happiness. We buy things for the poor.
The third day is dedicated to mothers. Mothers practice true love. Their love for their children is unconditional. Children give gifts to their mothers on this day.
The fourth day is the day of the wives. Married men practice mindful communication by letting their wives know of their unwavering commitment. They also buy gifts for their wives.
The fifth day is the day of brotherhood and sisterhood. Men go to their sisters' homes and practice mindful consumption. Brothers get gifts for their sisters on this day.
In Nepal, the women feed the crows on the first day, dogs on the second day, cows on the third day, oxen on the fourth day and their brothers on the fifth day. It is very important to have a sister or you might end up without food on their fifth day of Diwali (Tihar, in Nepal).
While lighting the lamps, Dipānkarā is aware of the relative nature of reality and knows that she must live mindfully. She is aware that through mindfulness she can help manifest joy.
Once upon a time a young man was very keen on becoming a statesman. In his country the King had established a selection procedure to hire state officials. So he applied but unfortunately he was unsuccessful. Disappointed he began on his return journey from the capital to his home. His home was far away and after walking for a long time he became very tired and hungry. He stopped by a hermitage where an old hermit woman was preparing lentil soup. He told her that he was hungry. The old hermit woman told him that food would be ready soon and that he could rest for a while if he wanted to. The young man, tired as he was, fell asleep under a peepal tree.
He experienced a strange dream. He dreamt that he was selected to be a statesman. The King was very happy with the way he answered questions and conducted himself. He made the young man the Minister of Defense and also his son-in-law. This kingdom was not very powerful. The neighboring kingdom was aggressive and always looking to acquire their territory. The young man made mistakes and the neighboring kingdom capitalized on his mistakes by extending their territorial gains. The King became very upset and the young man lost his job. The King appointed a new Minister of Defense. The young man's personal life was also in disarray. He was sad and miserable.
Suddenly, he woke up. The food was ready but he was no longer hungry. He was asleep for barely fifteen minutes but it seemed like many years.
Time is relative and our experiences are just like the perceptions in a dream. Any material acquisitions in a dream are illusory, what remains when we wake up is the mind, the consciousness. The truly rich is not one who has more material resources but one who has fewer needs. He is more content. So we must think very carefully if we really want to chase material desire. Do we really want to marry a princess and become the Minister of Defense? We should think if money, sexual activity, fame, power etc. can truly make us happy.
Aware of this Dipānkarā trains her mind to live in the here and the now. She lights her lamps not as an offering to Gods or Buddhas but as a mindful activity. Like the mindfulness bell, lighting a lamp too can bring the mind and the body together.
We may spend a lot of money building temples and decorating altars but that is of no use because Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Gods and Goddesses are not to be found in temples. They are in us, waiting to manifest and will manifest if we create the right conditions. We can create the right conditions by practicing the five mindfulness trainings.
We can light the five lamps not just on Diwali but everyday - reverence for life, true happiness, true love, mindful communication and mindful consumption. Wish you a mindful Diwali!
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