Buddhists have many festivals throughout the year. These festivals celebrate
events in the lives of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and famous teachers. During these
occasions people can also take refuge and precepts, or leave the home life to
become monks and nuns.
For the Buddhist community, the most important event of the year is the
celebration of the Birth of the Buddha, his Enlightenment and Nirvana. It falls
on the full-moon day in May. On this day, Buddhists take part in the ceremonial
bathing of the Buddha. They pour ladles of water scented with flowers over a
statue of the baby Siddhartha. This symbolizes purifying one's thoughts and
actions.
The temples are elaborately decorated with flowers and banners; the altars
are laden with offerings; vegetarian meals are provided for all; and captive
animals, such as birds and turtles are set free. This is a very joyous day for
everyone.
Asalha Puja, known as 'Dharma Day', is celebrated during full-moon in July.
This holiday commemorates the first sermon of the Buddha to the five monks in
the Deer Park at Benares.
Sangha Day or Kathina Day is usually held in October. In the Theravada
tradition, monks and nuns go on a three-month retreat during the rainy season.
After the retreat, the laity offers robes and other necessities to them. This
day symbolizes the close relationship between the Sangha and laity.
The observance of Ullambana is based on the story of Maudgalyayana, a
disciple of the Buddha. When Maudgalyayana's mother died, he wanted to know
where she was reborn. Using his spiritual powers, he traveled into the hells and
found her suffering miserably from hunger. He brought her a bowl of food, but
when she tried to swallow it, the food turned into hot coals.
The distressed Maudgalyayana asked the Buddha, "Why is my mother suffering in
the hells?"
The Buddha replied, "In her life as a human, she was stingy and greedy. This
is her retribution." He advised, "Make offerings to the Sangha. The merit and
virtue from this act will release your mother and others from the hells." As a
result of Maudgalyana's offering, his mother and thousands of others were
released from their unhappy state. After this, making offerings to release
departed relatives and others from the hells became popular in Mahayana
countries. Usually, it takes place in September.
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