Quick Facts Summary: Vassa is an annual three-month retreat undertaken by Buddhist monks, whilst Kathina is a festival of celebration that occurs immediately after it 2019 Date: 17th July – 13th October (Vassa); 14th October – 12th November (Kathina) Celebrated by: Theravada Buddhists Linked Holidays: Asalha Puja (Buddhism), Lent (Christianity) Background and Theological Significance Vassa […]
by Francesca D’Arcy Orga On all my school forms, under religion, my mum would tick Jewish, Muslim and Christian, and she never raised me to think of myself any differently. She came from a Jewish family, and was raised in a traditionally Jewish environment. She married a man who was half Turkish Muslim and half […]
Quick Facts Summary: A festival month in East Asia in which people leave food and offerings for ancestors and others who have are suffering in the afterlife. 2019 Date: August 15. The Seventh month of the East Asian Lunar Calendar. Celebrated by: Buddhists, Taoists, Chinese and East Asian societies. Linked Holidays: Sweeping Tomb Festival, Phi […]
Quick Facts Summary: a monthly Hindu festival that honours the deity Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva 2019 Date: 24th July, 23rd August, 22nd September, 21st October, 19th November (this is Bhairava Ashtami), 19th December Celebrated by: Hindus of the Shaivite tradition Linked Holidays: Bhairava Ashtami Background and Theological Significance Kalashtami is a Hindu festival that […]
Quick Facts Summary: a Theravada Buddhist festival commemorating the Buddha’s first sermon 2018 Date: 16th July Celebrated by: Theravada Buddhists, Thailand (as a National Holiday) Linked Holidays: Vesak Background and Theological Significance Asalha Puja, also known as Asanha Bucha or Dharma Day, is an annual Buddhist festival that celebrates the first sermon that Siddhartha Gautama, […]
Quick Facts Summary: a Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha 2019 Date: 19th May, but dates vary Celebrated by: Buddhists (predominantly Theravada), some countries as a National Holiday Linked Holidays: Buddha’s Birthday, Bodhi Day (Buddhism) Background and Theological Significance Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima or simply ‘Buddha […]
by Raymond Pagnuccio From sunrise to sunset the life of a Buddhist monk is fairly routine no matter where in the world they may be. For most monks in Myanmar, their daily routine is pretty mundane. A typical day unusually begins around 4:30 in the morning with prayers followed by chores, breakfast and more prayers. […]
by Andrew Hartsmith Ever since I was young, I’ve found myself fascinated by belief and the idea of unseen forces. I would read myths, fairy tales, and the Bible. Until a certain age I thought I wanted to go into the ministry. It made sense, my mother was a Methodist pastor for some time and […]
