Rohatsu is a Zen festival that marks the day that Buddha reached enlightenment, as he gazed upon Venus and was awoken from meditation. That was the most wonderful moment, in which he realised the solution to the troubles of all humans.

During Rohatsu, Zen Buddhists attempt to emulate the state of mind of Buddha at the moment of his enlightenment. On December 8, many Zen Buddhists go to the rohatsu sesshin determined to experience the same as Buddha did on that day.