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. 2020 Date: September 2nd. 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: Vassa is an annual three-month retreat undertaken by Buddhist monks, whilst Kathina is a festival of celebration that occurs immediately after it 2020 Date: 6th July – 1st October (Vassa); 2nd October – 20th September 2021 (Kathina) Celebrated by: Theravada Buddhists Linked Holidays: Asalha Puja (Buddhism), Lent (Christianity) Background and Theological Significance […]
Quick Facts Summary: a Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha 2020 Date: 7th 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 […]
Quick Facts and Stats Summary: Festival marking the death of Buddha, his achievement of Parinirvana, final enlightenment. 2020 Date: 15th February Celebrated by: Buddhists, particularly Mahayana Buddhists Linked Holidays: Vesak Background and Theological Significance Nirvana is the ultimate aim for a Buddhist. Buddha himself is seen as the first to have achieved it, at around […]
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, […]
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 […]
