2002 Buddhist Holidays
Vajrayana, Mahayana & Hinayana Buddhism:
Tibetan/Tantric, Pure Land, Zen & Theravada dates
* 1/1: Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [World Peace Day; Universal Hour of Peace: 7:00-8:00 a.m. EST.]
* 1/4: Day ethnic discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1969); day to mourn all manifestations of racism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: signed/adopted 3/7/1966; entered into force 1/4/1969.][Text of Convention] [For more information, see Anti Racism Information Service website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 1/5: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful of the peace, joy, and beauty of the moment. Forms of Buddhism include Theravada, Tantra (Tibetan), and Mahayana (e.g., Zen and Pure Land).
* 1/13: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 1/20: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.
* 1/21: Day for meditation on Tantric Buddha Deities Amitayus and White Tara, who grant good health and long life. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are aspects of Adi-Buddha - the masculine and feminine, transcendent and immanent, omniscient and omnipotent, primordial and eternal Absolute. [White Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayu Punya Jnana Pushtim Kuru Svaha] [Amitayus Mantra: Om Amarani Jivan Tiye Svaha] [Medicine Buddha Mantra: Om Bhaisajye Bhaisajye Mahabhaisajye Bhaisajye Raja Samudgate Svaha] [a/k/a Amitayus Buddha Day, Tara Puja, Medicine Buddha Day] [8th Tibetan day]
* 1/28: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 2/2: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you, and all that is, are in the process of transformation.
* 2/4: Vigil for peace, religious tolerance, and equal rights for all in Sri Lanka. [Sri Lanka gained its independence on 2/4/1948; Sri Lanka's civil war arises out of the legal preference given to the Sinhala people, the Sinhalese language, and the Buddhist religion over the Tamil people, the Tamil language, and the Hindu religion. The Sri Lankan civil war has been ongoing since 1983. On 2/22/2002, the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers guerrilla organization signed a cease fire and, on 12/5/2002, an agreement was reached to develop a federal structure of government with regional autonomy.] [For a timeline on the conflict, see BBC News website. For information on the peace process, see Sri Lankan government peace process website; National Peace Council of Sri Lanka website. For information on the human rights situation, see Human Rights Watch report: Sri Lanka.]
* 2/11: Sojong Day--Tibetan Buddhist day of fasting, confession, and reparation for harm done. [Observed primarily by monks and nuns.] [a/k/a Sojong Chemno]
* 2/12: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 2/12 to 2/15: Hsih Nien/Suhl/Tet--Chinese and East Asian Lunar New Year (Year 4700 - Year of the Horse).
* 2/13 to 2/27: Losar/Tibetan Buddhist New Year (Year 2129) and Monlam Chenmo/Great Prayer Festival--Commemorates miracles performed by the Buddha; rituals, dances, and sculptures are offered to drive out evil spirits and to protect and benefit all sentient beings. [Ends on Chotrul Duchen.]
* 2/15: Nehan--Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's nirvana (483 BCE). [563-483 BCE: exact dates unknown]
* 2/19: Day the President ordered the internment of loyal Japanese Americans during World War II (1942); day to mourn Asian victims of internment and exclusion (past and present), make peace, and celebrate empowerment of Asian Americans. [Executive Order 9066 was signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt.]
* 2/20: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 2/27: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 3/1: Day the production and use of landmines was outlawed world-wide (1999); day to mourn their victims. [Protocol on Prohibition or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby-Traps, and Other Devices a/k/a Convention on Landmines a/k/a Mine Ban Treaty, amending the 1980 Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects: Treaty signed/adopted 10/10/1980; entered into force 12/2/1983; Protocol signed 12/3/1997; entered into force 3/1/1999.] [The U.S., China, South Korea, North Korea, Burma, Laos, and Vietnam have not ratified the Protocol.] [There are between 60 and 70 million landmines in the ground of 70+ countries. Landmines maim or kill approximately 26,000 civilians each year, including 8,000 to 10,000 children. In the name of the Buddha, and for love of the Buddha, Buddhists should renounce the production and use of landmines, and should demand removal and destruction of all existing landmines.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see International Campaign to Ban Landmines website; Adopt a Minefield website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 3/2: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you are connected to each and every sentient being that has ever existed.
* 3/14: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 3/21: Day Japanese Buddhists mark the time of change by meditating on the impermanence of death. [a/k/a Haru-no-Higan, Ohigan]
* 3/22: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 3/26: Day production and use of biological weapons was outlawed world-wide (1975); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction a/k/a Biological Weapons Convention: signed 4/10/1972; entered into force 3/26/1975.] [China is believed to currently possess biological weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. North Korea is believed to currently have a biological weapons research program in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. Both have ratified the Treaty.] [In the name of the Buddha, and for love of the Buddha, Buddhists should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of biological weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention website; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 3/28: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 3/31: Vigil to mourn China's annexation of Tibet (1959) and the killings, torture, and religious persecution of Tibetan Buddhists. [Day the Dalai Lama fled into exile following the Chinese invasion of Tibet.] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: China and Tibet.]
* 4/1: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Bodhisattva Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon; celebrates Her "birth." She declared women the spiritual equals of men. [2nd Chinese month, 19th day]
* 4/6: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that the joys and suffering of others are your joys and suffering.
* 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.]
* 4/8: Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's birth (563 BCE). [563-483 BCE: exact dates unknown]
* 4/12: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 4/17: Day Cambodia fell to the Khmer Rouge, who caused the deaths of more than a million civilians (1975); vigil for true peace, justice, and respect for the human rights of all in Asia. [For more information, see Yale Cambodian Genocide Study; Human Rights Watch report: Cambodia.]
* 4/20: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Deities Avalokitesvara and Green Tara, consciousness and empowerment of Compassion. Buddhists recognize the equality of all sentient beings. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [Avalokitesvara Mantra: Om Mani Padmi Hum] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.]
* 4/22: Day the world's nations guaranteed asylum to those persecuted in their homelands on account of their ethnicity, religion, or political opinion (1954). [Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: signed 7/28/1951; entered into force 4/22/1954.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 4/27: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 4/29: Day production and use of chemical weapons was outlawed world-wide (1997); day to mourn their victims. [Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons a/k/a Chemical Weapons Convention: signed 1/13/1993; entered into force 4/29/1997.] [North Korea, China, Taiwan, and Burma are believed to currently possess chemical weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. China has ratified the Treaty; North Korea, Taiwan, and Burma have not.] [In the name of the Buddha, and for love of the Buddha, Buddhists should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of chemical weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons webpage; Sipri Chemical and Biological Weapons Project: Chemical Weapons Convention Mainpage; Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Project website; Monterey Institute of International Studies Chemical and Biological Weapons Resource Page; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Chemical and Biological Arms Control Program website.] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 5/2: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state throughout the world. [Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. For text and information on the First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website. For domestic organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website and American Civil Liberty Union website. For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department's International Religious Freedom Report; Human Rights Watch website; and Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief website.]
* 5/4: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that everything you do, or fail to do, affects all sentient beings.
* 5/6: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok] [25th Tibetan day]
* 5/12: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 5/19: Mahayana Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of Fo Shihchiamouni (Buddha Shakyamuni/Siddhartha Gautama) (563-483 BCE). [a/k/a Buddha Day] [4th Chinese month, 8th day]
* 5/20: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 5/26 (Th B 5/26): Saga Dawa Duchen--Tibetan Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE). Buddhists study sacred texts, meditate, pray, chant mantras, and make devotional offerings to Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. [Theravadin Buddhist festival a/k/a Wesak, Vesak, Vesakha Puja, Visakha Puja, Budh Purnima, Buddha Jayanti] [Tibetan Buddhist: 4th Tibetan month, 15th day; Theravadin Buddhist: May UT Full Moon day]
* 5/26 : Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 6/1: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing the interdependence of all things at all times.
* 6/4: Day to mourn the massacre of the peaceful, pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China (1989); vigil for democracy and respect for the human rights of all in China. [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: China.]
* 6/10: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 6/18: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 6/24 : Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 7/1: Day the world's nations committed to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons (1968); vigil to protest the production and use of all nuclear weapons world-wide. [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970.] [The U.S. and China have failed to destroy its nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's requirement that it work towards disarmament.] [The U.S. used 2 atomic bombs on Japan in 8/1945: over 270,000 civilians died from the bombs and radiation.] [In the name of the Buddha, and for love of the Buddha, Buddhists should renounce the production, acquisition, and use of nuclear weapons, and should demand destruction of all existing weapons.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Disarmament of Weapons of Mass Destruction website; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website. For information on North Korea's nukes, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide] [Text of United Nations Charter, chapter V, article 26]
* 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.]
* 7/6: Birthday of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama. Tibetan Buddhists believe he is a reincarnation of Avalokitesvara, Bodhisattva God of Compassion.
* 7/6: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that alienation and hunger for possessions results from ignorance of interconnectedness.
* 7/10: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 7/13 to 7/16: Obon--Zen Buddhist festival honoring departed ancestors. [a/k/a Bon]
* 7/14 (Th B 7/24): Chokhor Duchen--Tibetan Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's first teaching. The Buddha taught an Eight-fold path to enlightenment - right views, right aspiration, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation. [Theravadin Buddhist festival a/k/a Esala, Ashala Dhamma, Asalha Puja] [Tibetan Buddhist: 6th Tibetan month, 4th day; Theravadin Buddhist: July UT Full Moon day]
* 7/17: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 7/21 to 7/28: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon, Supreme Goddess of Nature and Perfect Buddha of many emanations; celebrates Her enlightenment and Her vow to help all sentient beings. Buddhists act daily on their vows to help all sentient beings. [6th Chinese month, 12th to 19th days]
* 7/24: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 8/3: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that desire for power over others results from ignorance of interdependence.
* 8/6: Day to mourn those harmed by the atomic bomb attacks on Japan (1945); day to advocate for world-wide prohibition of all weapons of mass destruction. [Hiroshima was bombed on 8/6/1945; Nagasaki was bombed on 8/9/1945: over 270,000 civilians died from the bombs and radiation.] [Use of weapons of mass destruction is now recognized to constitute a crime against humanity and cannot be justified under any circumstances.]
* 8/8: Vigil for democracy and respect for the human rights of all in Burma. [Day a pro-democracy demonstration opposing the authoritarian military government was attacked by government troops (1988); catalyst for the military crackdown.] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: Burma.]
* 8/8: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 8/16: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 8/17: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok] [10th Tibetan day]
* 8/22: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 8/28: Opening of the Second World Parliament of Religions (1993), attended by members of all the world's religions. A Global Ethic was adopted that condemns hatred, aggression, oppression, and environmental abuses committed in the name of religion. [Text of Global Ethic] [See also website for the Parliament of the World's Religions.]
* 9/3: Day gender discrimination was outlawed world-wide (1981); day to mourn all manifestations of sexism. [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: adopted by U.N. General Assembly 12/18/1979; signed 3/1/1980; entered into force 9/3/1981.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see WomenWatch: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women website; Feminist Majority Foundation website; Human Rights Watch website.]
* 9/7: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that harm to the Earth and sentient beings results from ignorance of interdependence.
* 9/7: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 9/14: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess Gold Tara, provider of all sustenance and necessities. [Gold Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Pushtim Kuru Om] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.]
* 9/21: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 9/23: Day Japanese Buddhists mark the time of change by meditating on the impermanence of life. [a/k/a Aki-no-Higan, Ohigan]
* 10/5: Bodhidharma Day--Honors Zen Buddhist philosopher Bodhidharma (470-543), who believed one could attain Buddhahood by realizing one's own Buddha nature.
* 10/5: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that fear and hatred of others results from ignorance of interconnectedness.
* 10/6: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 10/13: Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 10/21: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 10/24: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Bodhisattva Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon; celebrates Her attainment of Bodhisattvahood. [9th Chinese month, 19th day]
* 10/28: Lha Bab Duchen--Day Tibetan Buddhists celebrate the Buddha's descent from heaven after teaching the Dharma there. [9th Tibetan month, 22nd day]
* 11/1: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people--all children of the One Universal Deity of many names and aspects.
* 11/2: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing and acting with compassion for the Earth and all creatures.
* 11/4: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 11/12: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess White Tara, who guides the dead to Buddha Amitabha's Pure Land, where all will find salvation. [White Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayu Punya Jnana Pushtim Kuru Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 11/20: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 11/21: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.]
* 11/28: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.
* 11/29: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Deities Manjusri and Prajna-Paramita, consciousness and empowerment of Wisdom. Prajna-Paramita is considered Mother of All Buddhas. [Prajna-Paramita Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavatyai Aryaprajnaparamitayai] [Manjusri Mantra: Om Ah Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih] [10th Tibetan month, 25th day]
* 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.] [For information on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, see Human Rights Watch website.]
* 12/4: Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings, and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Shakyamuni Buddha Day, Siddhartha Buddha Day] [30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day]
* 12/7: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing and acting with compassion for the poor and oppressed.
* 12/8: Rohatsu--Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's enlightenment. [a/k/a Bodhi Day]
* 12/10: Day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted, and fundamental rights were recognized world-wide (1948). [The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.D.H.R.) in Resolution 217 A(III). See Text of Declaration. For more information on the history of the U.D.H.R., see Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute website. The U.D.H.R. is generally recognized as binding customary international law. In 1966, the concepts of the U.D.H.R. were expanded and drafted into two binding international treaties with enforcement mechanisms. The Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Human Rights Committee (see Human Rights Committee website; University of Minnesota Human Rights Library website) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (see Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website; Human Rights Watch website). The Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (Text of Covenant) is enforced by the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights(see Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights website).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day]
* 12/12: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess Red Tara, protector against evil and harm. [Red Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Santa Ra Hri Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja] [8th Tibetan day]
* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [Text of Bill of Rights] [For more information about the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, see U.S. National Archives & Records Administration website and the Bill of Rights Institute website. For information on organizations that advocate for enforcement of rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights, see Center for Constitutional Rights website; American Civil Liberties Union website.] [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day]
* 12/17: Day the Clean Air Act was enacted (1963); day to give thanks for the air we breathe. [Pub. L. 88-206, 77 Stat. 392, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
* 12/19: Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Pure Land Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His heavenly refuge and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [a/k/a Amitabha Buddha Day] [15th Tibetan day, 15th Chinese day, UT Full Moon day]
* 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.]
[Buddhism is a religion founded in India by Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (also called Shakyamuni), following his attainment of enlightenment in 528 BCE. Buddhist denominations include Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism (which includes Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism), and Vajrayana Buddhism (also called Tibetan Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism). Beliefs, ritual practice, and holidays vary among the various Buddhist denominations. The holy scripture of Theravada Buddhism is the Pali Canon: Vinaya Pitaka (Book of Discipline), Sutta Pitaka (Book of Buddha's Discourses), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (Book of Higher Philosophy). The holy scripture of Mahayana and Tantric Buddhism also include: the Heart Sutra, the Wisdom Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and the Diamond Sutra. Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (Buddhist community). They believe in the Four Noble Truths, and follow the Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts of morality. Buddhists recognize that all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas constitute the ultimate Adi-Buddha. Engaged Buddhism embraces social and environmental activism as well as disarmament and World Peace.]
[There is no one Buddhist calendar. Theravada Buddhist holidays (with roots in Sri Lanka and Thailand) are based on a Theravada lunisolar calendar. Holidays are calculated based on Universal Time. Zen Buddhist holidays (with roots in Japan) are based on the Japanese (Gregorian) calendar and have fixed dates. Chinese Mahayana Buddhist holidays (Pure Land Buddhist holidays) are based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar and calculated from the Chinese New Year. The Chinese month begins on the day of the New Moon in China. Vajrayana Buddhist holidays (commonly called Tibetan Buddhist holidays or Tantric Buddhist holidays) are based on the unique Tibetan lunisolar calendar. The Tibetan New Year begins just after, or a month following, the Chinese New Year; the Tibetan month begins the day following the New Moon. Pursuant to prevailing practice, Tibetan Buddhist holidays are calculated based on Universal time. Those who wish to practice according to local time may need to make adjustments. Due to the necessity of "missing days" in the Tibetan calendar, some holidays (e.g. Tara Pujas, Dakas' Days, and Dakinis' Days) may be celebrated one day earlier/later on the Gregorian calendar than the date given. Though some Tibetan Buddhist holidays occur annually, many occur fortnightly or monthly.]
Some Tibetan Buddhist Mantras:
* Shakyamuni
Mantra:
Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha
(to develop insight into the teachings)
* Green Tara Mantra:
Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha
(to develop compassion; to ask for aid for those in need; to stir the good to
action)
* Avalokitesvara Mantra:
Om Mani Padmi Hum
(to develop compassion; to ask for aid for those in need)
* Gold Tara Mantra:
Om Tare Tuttare Ture Pushtim Kuru Om
(to ask for the necessities of life for all who need them; to stir one into
productive action)
* Red Tara Mantra:
Om Tare Tuttare
Santa Ra Hri Svaha
(to ask for protection from harm for those in peril; to stop the actions of
those who would do harm)
* Prajna-Paramita Mantra:
Om Namo Bhagavatyai Aryaprajnaparamitayai
(to develop wisdom; for comprehension of inner meanings)
* Manjusri Mantra:
Om Ah Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih
(to develop wisdom; for seeing through delusion to what is reality)
* White Tara Mantra:
Om Tare Tuttare Ture
Mama Ayu Punya Jnana Pushtim Kuru Svaha
(to develop a healthy lifestyle; to
attain longevity; to ask for aid in preparation for death)
* Amitayus Mantra:
Om Amarani Jivan Tiye
Svaha
(to develop a healthy lifestyle; to attain longevity)
* Medicine Buddha Mantra:
Om Bhaisajye Bhaisajye Mahabhaisajye Bhaisajye
Raja Samudgate Svaha
(to ask for aid in healing mind or body)
* Amitabha Mantra:
Om Amideva Hrih
(to ask for aid in preparation for death)
[It is recommended that mantras be used only after receiving appropriate
teachings and empowerments.]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Permission to use and distribute these excerpts is granted for non-commercial purposes, provided the following information is included:
Excerpted from
THE MYSTIC'S WHEEL OF THE YEAR 2002
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2001 Marija Miovski
www.WheeloftheYear.com
