I meant to post this earlier this week but forgot. I always post the dates for major Buddhist holidays for the year in my first post for the New Year - here are the major Buddhist holidays for 2013, and a little about each:

2013 Buddhist Holidays

This is really just the tip of the iceberg, and each branch and even country has additional ones. The way these are celebrated are often very culturally specific.

As I've often said here, I'm not a big one for holidays, festivals, and rituals, but I respect that this is a big part of being a Buddhist for many people around the world. These days serve as 'markers' for people to focus on different aspects of their path, to stop and give thanks, and to share their practice with other practitioners. I do think this is a very powerful role that religions play in human life, and although for me Buddhism is not an organized religion in the traditional sense, for many people around the world, it is.

Hope you enjoy learning about these!

Dear Lisa.

I also am not concerned with the holidays and such.Almost 30 years ago I worked as an insurance inspector,I had to send my visit list to my boss.He would return it saying: That day we do
not
work ,it's a holiday.
So I never was in reality a holiday person.
First of all ,to me ,most are commercially made.
Secondly my parents being dead for a while.All the people i know and knew were not into holidays too.

The only holiday not being one,was on new years morning ,the eldest had to ask our father to bless us,the family for the year to come.Since because of our mom, there was never affection given in the house.We would all cry when we hugged.it was called
LA BENEDICTION PATERNELLE,The paternal blessings.Just writing this gives me goose bumps all over.

With respect

loong

To all or none,

In the Theravadin lineage,every full moon has a name and celebrates an event.

Loong