Group+7+lifestyle+and+festivals

=Lifestyle and festivals=

There are many Buddhism groups throughout the world and they have different symbols associated with their religion. The six auspicious symbols of Buddhism are: · the Parasol (Umbrella) · the Golden Fish · the Treasure Vase · the Lotus · the Conch Shell · the Victory Banner

Buddhism was founded in India in 528 BC, by Siddhartha Gautama known as "Buddha" (the enlightened one). His devotees also call him "Bhagara" (Lord), and "Tathagata" (True-Winner).

Gautama (563-483) was a Prince born in Lumbini near Nepal, where the legend says he had 40,000 dancing girls at his disposal. However, he wandered around the palace and he met with "an old man begging for alms, a diseased man, a dead man, and a monk"...these people caused such an impression on Gautama that on his 29th birthday he left his palace, his wife and child and started to search for the cause of suffering and to find peace and happiness. He followed two yoga masters, then a begging monk with severe asceticism... until finally, at age 35, he went near Benares and for 7 weeks he meditated under a fig tree, or a pipal tree, until he found "in a flash" his way, and became Buddha, the enlightened one, under the "Bodhi tree", or "Bo tree" (wisdom tree)... and life's problems were no longer a mystery to him!.

Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on personal spiritual development. Buddhists strive for a deep insight into the true nature of life and do not worship gods or deities. These are the basic teachings and concepts in Buddhism. Karma Actions have consequences and our lives are conditioned by our past actions. Rebirth Consciousness continues after death, and finds expression in a future life. Liberation from karma By following the Buddha's path one escapes the cycle of craving and suffering. The Four Noble Truths These are the essentials of Buddhism. Enlightenment The highest goal of life is to reach Enlightenment; a state of being that goes beyond suffering. The core of Buddhist teaching At the heart of the Buddha's teaching lie The Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path which lead the Buddhist towards the path of Enlightenment. Facing the truth The Buddha taught that the human tendency is to avoid the difficult truths of life and this in turn leads to suffering. By enabling the mind to be at peace through meditation a human being can confront reality and overcome hatred and craving.

Buddhist Festivals are always joyful occasions. Typically on a festival day, lay people will go the local temple or monastery and offer food to the monks and take the Five Precepts and listen to a Dharma talk. In the afternoon, they distribute food to the poor to make merit and in the evening join perhaps in a ceremony of respect to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. The day will conclude with evening chanting of the Buddha's teachings and meditation.

Some holy days are specific to a particular Buddhist tradition or ethnic group (as above). There are two aspects to take into consideration regarding Buddhist festivals: Most Buddhists, with the exception of the Japanese, use the Lunar Calendar and the dates of Buddhist festivals vary from country to country and between Buddhist traditions

Buddhist New Year

In countries such as Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Lao, the New Year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April. In other such countries the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January. However, the Buddhist New Year depends on the country of origin or ethnic background of the people. So for example, the Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese celebrate late January or early February according to the lunar calendar, whilst the Tibetans usually celebrate about one month later.

Kathina Ceremony (Robe offering ceremony)

This is held on any convenient date within one month of the conclusion of the Vassa Retreat, which is the three month rains retreat season (Vassa) for the monastic order. It is the time of the year when new robes and other necessities may be offered by the people to the monks.

Abhidhamma Day

At the end of one particular rains retreat (Vassa), the Buddha was so pleased with the progress of the assembled monks that he encouraged them to extend their retreat for yet another month. On the full-moon day marking the end of that fourth month of retreat, he presented his now-famous instructions on mindfulness of breathing (//anapanasati//), which may be found in the Anapanasati Sutta (MN 118)

Discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing.

In the Burmese tradition, this day celebrates the occasion when the Buddha is said to have gone to the Tushita Heaven to teach his mother the Abhidhamma. It is held on the full moon of the seventh month of the Burmese lunar year starting in April, which corresponds, to the full moon day in October.

The Ploughing Festival

In May, when the moon is half-full, two white oxen pull a gold painted plough, followed by four girls dressed in white who scatter rice seeds from gold and silver baskets. This is to celebrate the Buddha's first moment of enlightenment, which is said to have happened when the Buddha was seven years old, when he had gone with his father to watch the ploughing. (Known in Thailand as Raek Na)

The Elephant Festival

The Buddha used the example of a wild elephant which, when it is caught, is harnessed to a tame one to train. In the same way, he said, a person new to Buddhism should have a special friendship of an older Buddhist. To mark this saying, Thais hold an elephant festival on the third Saturday in November.