2004 Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays

* 1/1 to 1/6: Shogatsu/Shinto New Year's Festival--The Kami (Nature Spirits) of the four directions are honored, and prayers for happiness, good health, and prosperity are made. Shinto try to live in harmony with the cosmic forces of the Kami. [a/k/a Shihohai, Genshisai, Shinnen-enkai]

* 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: Birthday of Guru Gobind Rai Singh Sahib, tenth Sikh guru (1666). He believed that only those who love find Deity, and exhorted Sikhs to show compassion for humanity. [Sikhs visit gurdwaras (temples), where the Adi Granth is read, hymns are sung, and a communal meal is shared.] [Guru Gobind Singh lived 1666-1708; guru 1675-1708.] [a/k/a Guru Gobind Singh Parkash]

* 1/7: Koshogatsu--Shinto rite honoring Goddess Izanami, partner of God Izanagi. They created Nature and the Kami.

* 1/10: Day North Korea (DPRK) withdrew from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (2003). [North Korea announced its intention to reactivate its nuclear program in 10/2002, ejected I.A.E.A. inspectors in 12/2002, and is now in the process of developing nuclear weapons. Pursuant to the Agreed Framework of 1994, North Korea agreed to abandon an earlier nuclear program in exchange for agricultural, energy, and economic aid. North Korea alleges that the U.S. did not deliver all its promised aid, and North Koreans are suffering from starvation due to a long-term famine. North Korea also believes that the U.S. plans to attack it after attacking Iraq because it was labeled part of the "Axis of Evil." It objects to the build-up of U.S. troops on/near the Korean peninsula. It has said that an attack on North Korea would trigger "Total War" and a "Third World War." North Korea has also said that it would view economic sanctions as an act of war. On 2/6/2003, it threatened a preemptive strike on U.S. troops in the demilitarized zone (DMZ). North Korea has one of the largest armies in the world. It could attack South Korea and Japan, and may have the ability to strike as far as Alaska, Hawaii, and the West Coast of the U.S. North Korea requested direct dialogue with the U.S., but the U.S. refused to negotiate directly with North Korea until China agreed to host talks. (The U.S. has no formal relations with North Korea.) Talks occurred on 4/23-24/2003. On 4/24/2003, North Korea announced that it had a nuclear weapon. On 5/12/2003, North Korea withdrew from an agreement with South Korea to keep the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free. Six-nation talks began in August 2003 and continued in February 2004 and June 2004. However, North Korea refused to attend talks in September 2004.] [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: signed 7/1/1968; entered into force 3/5/1970. The International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) is authorized to enforce compliance with the Treaty.] [Agreed Framework Between the United States of America and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: signed 10/21/1994.][For more information, see Non-proliferation Treaty [Text of Convention]; International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) website; Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide; Human Rights Watch report: Democratic People's Republic of Korea.]

* 1/15: Seljin-no-hi/Coming of Age Day--Shinto festival honoring 20-year-old men and women.

* 1/18: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects.

* 1/22 to 1/25: Hsih Nien/Suhl/Tet--Chinese and East Asian Lunar New Year (Year 4702: the Monkey).

* 1/31: Birthday of Guru Har Rai Sahib, seventh Sikh guru. [Guru Har Rai lived 1630-1661; guru 1644-1661.] [a/k/a Guru Har Rai Parkash]

* 2/1 to 2/29: Ethnic Equality Month--Time to honor all peoples and their positive traditions; time to meditate on the equality of all peoples, on the respect due to them, and on God-Goddess manifesting as African, Asian, Oceanic, Middle Eastern, European, Hispanic, and Native American. [Expands idea of African-American History Month a/k/a Black History Month.]

* 2/3: Setsuban-Sai--Shinto rite in which good fortune is invoked and evil exorcised. [a/k/a Bean-Throwing Festival, Turn of the Seasons Festival]

* 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. However, the Tamil Tigers pulled out of peace talks in 4/2003, claiming they were being marginalized.] [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; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2003: Sri Lanka.]

* 2/17: Toshigoi--Shinto rite honoring the Kami and offering prayers for a bountiful rice harvest. [a/k/a Kinensai]

* 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.]

* 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.] [India, Nepal, 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. All 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]

* 3/1 to 3/31: Gender Equality Month--Time to honor both genders; time to meditate on the equality of women and men, on the respect due to both women and men, and on Goddess-God manifesting as woman and man. [Expands idea of Women's History Month.]

* 3/3: Girls' Festival--Shinto festival honoring girls. [a/k/a Hina Matsuri, Doll Festival]

* 3/5: Day commemorating the birth of Taoist Lao-Tzu (570? BCE). Taoists believe the unity of Yin (Eternal Feminine) and Yang (Eternal Masculine) make up the psyche-matter-energy of the eternal all-encompassing Ch'i. [570?-490? BCE; alternate dates: 604-531 BCE]

* 3/8: International Women's Day--Day to mourn victims of gender-based oppression and misogyny (past and present), make peace, and celebrate women's empowerment. [For information on International Women's Day, see United Nations website; A history of International Women's Day.]

* 3/14: Sikh New Year (Nanakshahi Era 536 begins). Accession of Guru Har Rai Sahib, seventh Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Har Rai lived 1630-1661; guru 1644-1661.] [a/k/a Guru Har Rai Gur Ghaddhi]

* 3/19: Death of Guru Hargobind Sahib, sixth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Hargobind lived 1595-1644; guru 1606-1644.] [a/k/a Guru Hargobind Jyoti Jot]

* 3/21: Taoist festival honoring the Shen (Deities) of Water, East, and Spring; prayers are made for growth. Taoists seek enlightenment and live in harmony with Nature.

* 3/21: Shunki-Korei-Sai--Shinto rite honoring ancestral spirits. [a/k/a Haru-no-Higan]

* 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; India and North Korea are believed to currently have biological weapons research programs. All have ratified the Treaty. All 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 to 4/5: Navapad Oli--Jain period of fasting; recitation of holy scripture; meditation on the principles of right knowledge, right faith, right conduct, and right penance; and reverence for Arihantas (conquerors of passions), Siddhas (liberated souls), Acharyas (spiritual leaders), Upadhyayas (spiritual teachers), and Sadhus (renouncers). [a/k/a Navapada, Nav-pad Oli, Navapad Oli, Ayambil Oli, Aambil ki Ooli, Oli, Oliji, Siddha Chakra, Navadevata Puja, Vardhaman tap, Vardhaman tap]

* 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 International Campaign for Tibet website; Human Rights Watch report: China and Tibet; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2003: China and Tibet.]

* 4/3: Day commemorating the birth of Mahavira Vardhamana Jnatrputra (599 BCE), founder of the Jain faith. Jainas practice harmlessness, simplicity, and charity to attain enlightenment and unity with Deity. [599-527 BCE: exact dates unknown] [a/k/a Mahavir Jayanti, Mahavira Jayanti, Mahavir Bhagwan's Janma Kalyanak]

* 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: Hana Matsuri/Shinto flower Festival--Shinto rite honoring the Kami of Flowers.

* 4/14: Day the Sikh Khalsa was created (1699). Men and women initiated into the Khalsa seek harmony with the divine through introspection and service to the dispossessed. Both men and women are initiated equally.

* 4/16: Death of Guru Angad Dev Sahib, second Sikh guru, commemorated; accession of Guru Amar Das Sahib, third Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Angad lived 1504-1552; guru 1539-1552.] [Guru Amar Das lived 1479-1574; guru 1552-1574.] [a/k/a Guru Angad Jyoti Jot, Guru Amar Das Gur Ghaddi]

* 4/16: Death of Guru Har Krishan Sahib, eighth Sikh guru, commemorated; accession of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, ninth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Har Krishan lived 1656-1664; guru 1661-1664.] [Guru Tegh Bahadur lived 1621-1675; guru 1664-1675.] [a/k/a Guru Har Krishan Jyoti Jot, Guru Tegh Bahadur Gur Ghaddhi]

* 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.]

* 4/18: Birthday of Guru Angad Dev Sahib, second Sikh guru, commemorated; birthday of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, ninth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Angad lived 1504-1552; guru 1539-1552.] [Guru Tegh Bahadur lived 1621-1675; guru 1664-1675.] [a/k/a Guru Angad Parkash, Guru Tegh Bahadur Parkash]

* 4/22: Akshay Tritiya--Final day of Jain fast; day of Jain pilgrimage. Jainas who have undertaken fasts are rewarded with sugar cane juice. [Jainas honor Arihantas (conquerors of passions), Siddhas (liberated souls), Acharyas (spiritual leaders), Upadhyayas (spiritual teachers), and Sadhus (renouncers).] [a/k/a Akshaya Tritiya, Akshaya Thritiya, Akshyatritiya, Akshay Trutiya, Akhatrij, Varshitap Prarana, Varshitap Parna]

* 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.]

* 4/29: 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. China has ratified the Treaty; North Korea, Taiwan, and Burma have not. All 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: Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib, fifth Sikh guru, commemorated.] [Guru Arjan compiled the Adi Granth, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs and built Harimandir, the Holy Temple of the Sikhs, at Amritsar. [Guru Arjan lived 1563-1606; guru 1581-1606.] [a/k/a Guru Arjan Parkash]

* 5/3: Taue Matsuri--Shinto rice-planting festival.

* 5/5: Boys' Festival--Shinto festival honoring boys.

* 5/6: National Day of Prayer--Day to pray for freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and separation of religion and government throughout the world. [For an overview of U.S. Supreme Court cases on freedom of religion under the U.S. Constitution, see First Amendment Cyber-Tribune.] [For information on religious freedom in countries around the world, see U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report; Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief.] [For the text and more information on the Constitution's First Amendment, see Cornell University's Legal Information Institute website; First Amendment Online website and 1st Amendment.com website.] [For information on organizations that advocate for freedom of religion, see Americans United for Separation of Church and State website; American Civil Liberty Union website; Human Rights Watch website.]

* 5/23: Birthday of Guru Amar Das Sahib, third Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Amar Das lived 1479-1574; guru 1552-1574.] [a/k/a Guru Amar Das Parkash]

* 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; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2003: China.]

* 6/11: Accession of Guru Hargobind Sahib, sixth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Hargobind lived 1595-1644; guru 1606-1644.] [a/k/a Guru Hargobind Gur Ghaddhi]

* 6/15: Suijin Matsuri--Shinto rite honoring the Kami of Water. The Kami are manifestations of the one universal, primordial and eternal, immanent and transcendent Deity, Kuni-Tokotachi-no- Kami. [a/k/a Water Kami Festival]

* 6/16: Death of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib, fifth Sikh guru, commemorated.] [Sikhs visit gurdwaras (temples), where the Adi Granth is read, hymns are sung, and a communal meal is shared. [Guru Arjan lived 1563-1606; guru 1581-1606.] [a/k/a Guru Arjan Jyoti Jot]

* 6/21: Taoist festival honoring Shang-Ti/Heavenly Emperor, Father of Justice and Law, and manifestation of the Te (Virtuous Inner Power). Also celebrates the peak of the masculine Yang half of the year and the Shen of Fire, South, and Summer; prayers are made for strength and maturity, and offerings are made to the ancestors.

* 6/30: Oharai/Grand Purification Festival--Shinto rite exorcising evil from the world and purifying devotees from offenses committed. [a/k/a Oh-Harai-Taisai, Great Purification Festival]

* 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.] [China has failed to destroy its nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's requirement that it work towards disarmament. India, Pakistan, and North Korea have developed nuclear weapons in spite of the Treaty's prohibition. All 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. See Federation of American Scientists (FAS) nuke guide for information on India's nukes; Pakistan's nukes; North Korea's nukes] [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.]

* 7/5: Birthday of Guru Hargobind Sahib, sixth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Hargobind lived 1595-1644; guru 1606-1644.] [a/k/a Guru Hargobind Parkash]

* 7/7: Tanabata--Shinto rite honoring the Kami of the Stars. [a/k/a Star Kami Festival]

* 7/23: Birthday of Guru Har Krishan Sahib, eighth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Har Krishan lived 1656-1664; guru 1661-1664.] [a/k/a Guru Har Krishan Parkash]

* 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.]

* 8/15: Kaza Matsuri--Shinto rite honoring the Kami of Wind. [a/k/a Wind Kami festival]

* 8/15: Day India was partitioned into India and Pakistan, and Kashmir joined India over Pakistan's objection (1947); vigil for true peace, justice, and religious tolerance for all in South Asia. [India has a secular democratic government and its populace is largely Hindu. Pakistan has a military government and its populace is largely Muslim. Kashmir's population is largely Muslim, but its ruler chose to join India on 10/26/1947. The U.N. proposed a plebiscite to determine the Kashmiri people's preference on 1/5/1949, but it has never been held. India and Pakistan have fought 3 wars over Kashmir, and now have an uneasy peace.] [Both India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons and have threatened to use them. Both have also refused to sign the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.] [On 4/10/2003, India threatened to attack Pakistan for allowing Pakistani terrorists to attack the Indian Parliament in 12/2001 and for allowing continuing attacks on Kashmiri India. India asserted the same right to preemptive war as asserted by the U.S. and the U.K. in attacking Iraq. However, on 4/19/2003, India's Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called for peace talks with Pakistan and offered to normalize relations. Pakistan's Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali has indicated an interest in peace talks and agreed to normalize relations.] [For information on the nuclear problem, see Federation of American Scientists (FAS) website: Indo-Pakistani Conflict; India's nukes; Pakistan's nukes. For information on the history of the conflict, see Jammu & Kashmir : The Complete Knowledge Base; For information on human rights, see Human Rights Watch report: India; Human Rights Watch report: Pakistan; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2003: India; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2003: Pakistan]

* 8/17: Vigil for peace, justice, religious tolerance, and respect for the human rights of all in Indonesia - now struggling against religious terrorism. [Indonesia Independence Day 8/17. Since 1/1/1999, due to forced conversions to Islam, there has been interreligious violence between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia.] [For more information, see Human Rights Watch report: Indonesia; U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report for 2003: Indonesia.]

* 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]

* 9/1: Day commemorating the first consecration of the Granth Sahib (Adi Granth) as holy scripture of the Sikhs in Harimandir, the Holy Temple, at Amritsar (1604). [Sikhs celebrate by participating in religious processions and reading from the Adi Granth.]

* 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.]

* 9/11 to 9/18: Paryusana--Jain festival of recitation of holy scripture, fasting, self-discipline, introspection, and reserve. Jainas grant forgiveness to others, ask forgiveness of others for harm done, whether knowingly or unknowingly, during the past year, and make vows to avoid causing future harm. The festival ends with a communal meal. [a/k/a Paryusan, Paryushan, Paryushan Parva, Paryushan Mahaparva, Pajjusan] [ends at Samvatsari a/k/a Samvatatsari]

* 9/16: Death of Guru Amar Das Sahib, third Sikh guru, commemorated; accession and death of Guru Ram Das Sodhi Sahib, fourth Sikh guru, commemorated; accession of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib, fifth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Amar Das lived 1479-1574; guru 1552-1574.] [Guru Ram Das lived 1534-1581; guru 1574-1581] [Guru Arjan lived 1563-1606; guru 1581-1606.] [a/k/a Guru Amar Das Jyoti Jot, Guru Ram Das Gur Ghaddhi, Guru Ram Das Jyoti Jot, Guru Arjan Gur Ghaddhi]

* 9/18: Accession of Guru Angad Dev Sahib, second Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Angad lived 1504-1552; guru 1539-1552.] [a/k/a Guru Angad Gur Ghaddhi]

* 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.]

* 9/22: Death of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib, first Sikh guru, commemorated.] [Guru Nanak rejected caste and believed in the equality of all people. [Guru Nanak Dev 1469-1539] [a/k/a Guru Nanak Dev Jyoti Jot]

* 9/23: Taoist festival honoring the Shen of Winds, West, and Autumn; thanksgiving is made for the harvest. Taoists live simply, respect life, and recognize the equality of all.

* 9/23: Shuki-Korei-Sai--Shinto rite honoring ancestral spirits. [a/k/a Aki-no-Higan]

* 9/28: Birthday of Confucius (K'ung Fu-Tzu) (551 BCE). He taught that societal harmony could be realized when individuals acted with loving care for family, concern for friends and neighbors, benevolence to strangers, and respect for all. [Founder of Confucianism.] [Death day 11/29/479 BCE]

* 10/9: Birthday of Guru Ram Das Sodhi Sahib, fourth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Ram Das lived 1534-1581; guru 1574-1581.] [a/k/a Guru Ram Das Parkash]

* 10/17: Shukaku Matsuri--Shinto rite offering thanks and first fruits of the rice harvest to the Kami. [a/k/a Kannamesai, Harvest Festival]

* 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.]

* 10/20: Day the Granth Sahib (Adi Granth), the holy scripture of the Sikhs, was recognized as eternal guru (1708). Sikhs believe the infinite and formless Deity should be sought within one's self. [a/k/a Adi Granth Gur Ghaddi]

* 10/20: Death of Guru Har Rai Sahib, seventh Sikh guru, commemorated; accession of Guru Har Krishan Sahib, eighth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Har Rai lived 1630-1661; guru 1644-1661.] [Guru Har Krishan lived 1656-1664; guru 1661-1664.] [a/k/a Guru Har Rai Jyoti Jot, Guru Har Krishan Gur Ghaddhi]

* 10/21: Death of Guru Gobind Rai Singh Sahib, tenth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Gobind Singh lived 1666-1708; guru 1675-1708.] [a/k/a Guru Gobind Singh Jyoti Jot]

* 10/21 to 10/28: Navapad Oli--Jain period of fasting; recitation of holy scripture; meditation on the principles of right knowledge, right faith, right conduct, and right penance; and reverence for Arihantas (conquerors of passions), Siddhas (liberated souls), Acharyas (spiritual leaders), Upadhyayas (spiritual teachers), and Sadhus (renouncers). [a/k/a Navapada, Nav-pad Oli, Navapad Oli, Ayambil Oli, Aambil ki Ooli, Oli, Oliji, Siddha Chakra, Navadevata Puja, Vardhaman tap, Vardhaman tap]

* 11/5: 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.

* 11/12: Day commemorating the death of Mahavira Vardhamana Jnatrputra (527 BCE), founder of the Jain faith. [599-527 BCE: exact dates unknown] [a/k/a Mahavir Nirvana, Mahavira Nirvana, Mahavir Bhagwan's Nirvan Kalyanak]

* 11/16: Jnan Panchami--Day that Jainas celebrate knowledge, education, and holy books with recitations, meditation, and worship. [a/k/a Gnan Panchami, Gyan Panchami, Jnana Panchami]

* 11/18: 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.]

* 11/24: Death of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, ninth Sikh guru, commemorated; accession of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, tenth Sikh guru, commemorated. [Guru Tegh Bahadur lived 1621-1675; guru 1664-1675.] [Guru Gobind Singh lived 1666-1708; guru 1675-1708.] [a/k/a Guru Tegh Bahadur Jyoti Jot, Guru Gobind Singh Gur Ghaddhi]

* 11/25: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health.

* 11/26: Day commemorating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib (1469), founder of the Sikh faith. Sikhs attempt to merge the human spirit with the Divine Spirit by reciting Akal Purakh, one of Deity's sacred names. [Guru Nanak Dev 1469-1539][a/k/a Guru Nanak Dev Parkash]

* 12/1: Suijin-Matsuri/Water Kami Festival--Shinto rite honoring the Kami of Water.

* 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.]

* 12/10: 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).] [a/k/a International Human Rights Day] [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.]

* 12/15: Day the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights to all (1791). [a/k/a Bill of Rights Day] [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.]

* 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.]

* 12/22: Taoist festival honoring Wang-Mu/Empress Mother, Mother of Compassion and Wisdom, and manifestation of the Tao (Cosmic Power of Creation and Destruction). Also celebrates the peak of the feminine Yin half of the year and the Shen of Earth, North, and Winter; prayers are made for rest and renewal, and offerings are made to the Cosmos.

* 12/22: Tohji-Taisai--Shinto rite honoring Sun Goddess Amaterasu. Storm God Susano-o angered Her, and She withdrew into a cave until enticed out with music and dance.

* 12/26: Day to mourn all those killed in the Asian tsunami (2004) and to aid those who survived.

* 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.]

* 12/31: Oharai/Grand Purification Festival--Shinto rite exorcising evil from the world and purifying devotees from offenses committed. [a/k/a Oh-Harai-Taisai, Great Purification Festival]

[Jainism was founded by Mahavira Vardhamana Jnatrputra in 6th Century BCE India. Jainism is an ascetic religion in which the primary mandate is ahimsa (harmlessness) and the goal is to free the soul from the material existence accumulated from karma. The holy scripture of the Jainas include the Angas (Sermons and Dialogues of Mahavira) and the Digambara Texts. There are two monastic denominations of Jainas: the Svetambara and the Digambara. The former includes orders of women and recognizes spiritual equality; the latter eschew orders of women and clothing. Lay Jainas venerate the Tirthankaras (24 great Jain teachers) at Jain temples. Jain festivals and the Jain calendar (Vir Samvat) are based on the Indian lunisolar calendar (Bikrami calendar or Vikram Samvat). Some Jainas outside of India date the Jain holidays based on the Moon in India, while others date the Jain holidays based on the Moon at their respective locations. Consequently, some Jainas in the United States and Canada may celebrate some of these holidays 1 day before the Indian celebration.]

[Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Sahib early in 16th Century India. He was succeeded by 9 other gurus. The holy scripture of the Sikhs is the Granth Sahib (Adi Granth). Sikhism is a blending of Bhakti (devotional) Hinduism and Muslim Sufism. Sikhs are monotheistic, do not use images in worship, and reject the caste system. Sikhs are exhorted to praise, charity, ablution, service, and prayer. Sikhs recite prayers 5 times daily and worship in a gurdwara. Sikhs celebrate some Hindu festivals as well as the birthdays and/or death days of the 10 gurus. There are different denominations of Sikhs. Some Sikhs are initiates in the Khalsa, a military order founded by Gobind Singh in 1699. Most Sikh holidays are dated on the fixed Nanakshahi calendar (Sikh calendar).]

[Taoism (Daoism) was founded in 3rd Century BCE China by Lao-Tzu. Taoism is a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in Nature and its rhythms. Taoist holy scripture is called the Tao Tsang. It includes the Tao-Te Ching and over a thousand other writings. Taoist holidays and the Taoist calendar are based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Chinese religion is a fusion of Taoism and Confucianism, and most Chinese also practice Chinese Mahayana Buddhism.]

[Confucianism was founded in 6th Century BCE China by Confucius (K'ung Fu-Tzu). Confucianism is a philosophical system focused on ethics and social structure.]

[Shinto (Shintoism) originated in Japan. Shinto is grounded in Nature and its rhythms. Shinto practitioners make daily offerings and prayers at home shrines and attend regional or national Shinto Shrines on annual festival days. Though Shinto holidays were previously based on a lunar calendar, the Shinto calendar is now based on the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted in Japan. Most Japanese practice both Shinto and a form of Mahayana or Tantric Buddhism.]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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 2004
A Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality
© 2003 Page Two, Inc.
WheeloftheYear@BookArts.com
www.WheeloftheYear.com

All Gods and Goddesses
are aspects of
the One Deity

The One Deity
is reflected in
all Gods and Goddesses

The One Deity
is Deity of all

Deity is
male and female,
yet genderless

Deity is
all forms,
yet formless

Deity is
within all;
Deity is
beyond all

Deity is
all-embracing
love

With all that
is known by all
the world's sages,
with all that
is written in all
sacred books,
with all that
is experienced
in all
spiritual traditions,
we still cannot
know
the unknowable--

Deity is Mystery

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year... a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

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Year 2008 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007 Calendar By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

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Year 2008 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2008

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2008

Baha'i Holidays - 2008

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Hindu Holidays - 2008

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2008

Buddhist Holidays - 2008

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2008

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2008

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2008

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Meteor Showers - 2008

Visible Planets - 2008

Astrological Periods - 2008

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Year 2007 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2007

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2007

Baha'i Holidays - 2007

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Hindu Holidays - 2007

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2007

Buddhist Holidays - 2007

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2007

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2007

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2007

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Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Meteor Showers - 2007

Visible Planets - 2007

Astrological Periods - 2007

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Year 2006 Calendar By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah Holidays - 2006

Christian - Ecumenical Mysticism/ Wisdom Tradition Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi Holidays - 2006

Baha'i Holidays - 2006

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Hindu Holidays - 2006

Jain, Sikh, Taoist & Shinto Holidays - 2006

Buddhist Holidays - 2006

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African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian & Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American (Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo) & Meso American (Inca, Mayan & Aztec) Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays: Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

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Deep Ecology / Environmentalist Dates - 2006

Social Justice / Human Rights / Feminist Dates - 2006

Peace / Disarmament Dates - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

Solar & Lunar Cycles, Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Meteor Showers - 2006

Visible Planets - 2006

Astrological Periods - 2006

±±±±±±±±±±

±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±±

The Mystic's Wheel of the Year...
a Multifaith Calendar Reflecting Eco-Egalitarian Spirituality

Year 2008
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2007
Calendar
By Month... JAN ~ FEB ~ MAR ~ APR ~ MAY ~ JUN ~ JUL ~ AUG ~ SEP ~ OCT ~ NOV ~ DEC

Year 2008
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2008

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2008

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2008

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2008

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2008

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2008

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2008

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2008

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2008

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2008

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipse & Helions - 2008

Year 2007
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2007

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2007

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2007

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2007

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2007

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2007

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2007

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2007

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2007

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2007

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2007

Year 2006
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2006

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2006

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2006

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2006

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2006

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2006

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2006

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2006

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2006

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2006

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2006

Year 2005
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2005

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2005

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2005

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2005

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2005

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2005

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2005

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2005

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2005

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2005

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2005

Year 2004
Calendar
By Tradition...

Jewish - Kabbalah
Holidays - 2004

Christian -
Ecumenical Mysticism/
Wisdom Tradition
Holidays - 2004

Unitarian Universalist
Holidays - 2004

Muslim - Sufi
Holidays - 2004

African & Middle-Eastern Holidays: Santeria, Zoroastrian
& Old Egyptian - 2004

Native American
(Iroquois, Navajo & Pueblo)
& Meso American
(Inca, Mayan & Aztec)
Holidays - 2004

Pagan Holidays:
Old Religions of Europe (Greek, Roman, Slavic, Celtic, Anglo-Teutonic & Norse) - 2004

Deep Ecology / Environmentalist
Dates - 2004

Social Justice /
Human Rights / Feminist
Dates - 2004

Peace /
Disarmament
Dates - 2004

Solar & Lunar Cycles,
Eclipses & Helions - 2004