Buddhist holidays
From strict dogmatic adherence to casual contemplation, this list of Buddhist holidays is derived from many souces. Since Buddhism developed over millenia in very diverse cultures it has some varitation in the practice and observance of the important milestones and historical dates followed by each group. Here we can contemplate the days on the most common celebration day, that is of the Full Moon. The moon is a constant reminder of time and change and it marks all great events. Only in this moderna ge where we have all but abandoned the lunar calendarSome of these will last for the entire month (from full moon
to full moon) or until the ‘new moon’ in some cases. These are all based on the
Sri Lankan calendar as they are Theravada (the vehicle of the elders) it is a more
orthodox teaching. There are many other
holidays that can overlap, and I have added notes on those. It is not important to celebrate strictly one
way or another but to keep the intention and essence of the teachings and
observe the basics of it as a form of community and personal development along
the centered path.
Duruthu: Full moon in
January This commemorates the first visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. It is celebrated with fasting and observance of
the extended precepts. Although it is
said that the Buddha travelled to Sri Lanka three times, this is the commemoration
of the first visit some three years after he attained enlightenment.
Bodhi Day: Magha:
This is the full moon of February, and it commemorates ‘Sangha Day’ or a day to
revere famous previous monks and nuns or to appreciate the local monks and
nuns. This is done by attending
teachings, merit-making activities and alms giving. On this day it is also customary to follow the
extended precepts. Think of it as Buddhist ‘All Saints Day’. It is
a day that historically is attributed to a time when 1,250 followers gathered
without being summoned. It is a day to practice patience, and non-doing of evil.
Vessantara: (Medin Poya) The fill moon of March is a day to
invoke protection from spirits, It is a time for relaxation and enjoyment, we
listen to stories or music Think of it as a kind of Halloween for Buddhists
without the costumes but with the treats. There is a transfer of merit for deceased
relatives. The recitation of the
Vessantara Jataka is common.
Bak: The full moon of April marks the second visit of the Buddha
to Sri Lanka, in his fifth year after enlightenment. It is a day that the
Buddha helped calm a feud between two groups of ‘Nagas’ (basically snake
beings). It is a day to practice calm
and non-hatred.
Vesak: The full moon
of the fifth month (May) is by far the biggest day on the calendar, think of it
as a Buddhist ‘Christmas’ where we celebrate the birth, awakening and Parinibbana
of Siddhartha Gautama. All of these
happened under a tree and so this day is a day to commemorate the Buddha as
well as appreciate nature and all it can give us as well as our interdependence
to it. The traditions are usually of
eating and bathing a baby Buddha statue who stands with lotuses with his right
forefinger pointing to the sky.
Poson: This full moon of June is celebrated in Sri Lanka as
the day that Buddhism first arrived at the island nation in the 3rd
century (BCE). The monk Mahinda Thero
introduced Buddhism to the island in 236BCE it is a time of following the
precepts and contemplating the teachings. In some traditions it is the Medicine Buddha
Puja which is a time to focus on health and healing and making offerings.
Asalha/Esala: It is the day celebrating the first turning of
the Dharma wheel to the Buddha’s first five disciples. On this full moon of July,
it is said the Buddha visited the ‘abode of the gods; here he taught them. It is a day to teach others, not by speaking necessarily
but by example. Also, this is when a
relic of the Buddha arrived in Kandy, a place where the “temple of the tooth”
is. It was brought to Sri Lanka by
Prince Danta and princess Hemamali from India the kingdom of Kalinga. So that they would get it and a sapling of
the Bodhi tree, princess Hemamali hid the tooth relic in her hair until they
arrived in Kandy.
Ulambana/Hungry ghost/Nikini: The full moon of August in this calendar is
celebrated by remembering the “first council” (Sanhayana) where the monks all
met to discuss the future of Buddhist teachings right after the Buddha’s
death. This was led by his devoted disciple
Ananda who had flawlessly remembered all the teachings. Most Chinese, Taoist and other Mahayana
groups hold remembrance days, like a Memorial Day for all those that have
passed. It is a time of reflection and
the realization of impermanence and change. ulambana means 'resucing those that are hanginig upside down' in sansckrit.
Binara: The full moon of September marks the day women were
to become ‘Bhikkhunis’ or the order of nuns.
This is a day to appreciate the contributions of women monastics and
learn from this as a time of empowerment and acceptance. Think of this as like a ‘Mother’s Day’ but to
appreciate nuns.
Kathina /Vap: This full moon of October is the day that
monks traditional get their new robes.
It is a donation ceremony to the monks and nuns to help take care of
them. In many countries it Is called ‘Kathina’.
Il: The full moon of
November marks the end of the rainy season in Southeast Asia, in Buddhism
Unduvap: This is the remembrance
of the sacred Bo tree (Bodhi tree) that was brought from India to Sri
Lanka. The day to celebrate trees,
nature and just sitting under them. This
is on the full moon of December.
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