Have you ever heard of Obon? It’s a Japanese festival, similar to Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Celebrated for centuries, it’s a time to clean graves and create home altars as families welcome their much-beloved ancestors. While celebrating Obon is generally associated with Buddhism, it also includes elements from the more indigenous Shinto tradition, as …
Vesak is probably the most important holiday in the Buddhist tradition – celebrated around the world by both branches of Buddhism (Theravada and Mahayana). Many faith traditions pride themselves on specific rituals practiced by all followers on roughly the same day. In contrast, Vesak – like most Buddhist holidays – is highly influenced by culture. …
It’s spring! This means lots of holy days in lots of different faith traditions. Passover is probably the most widely-observed spring holy day in the Jewish tradition. It celebrates the story, told in the Biblical book of Exodus, of the Hebrew slaves escaping from Egypt. The “pass over” part refers to G-d guarding the homes …
For families living in the Northern Hemisphere, May Day is a great time to celebrate longer days, warmer weather, and the increased presence of the sun. With centuries of history behind it, May Day offers numerous ways for kids and families to tap into the spirit of the holiday. Here is a brief history of …
Welcome to the time of year when people from around the world remember their ancestors, honor their forbears, and express admiration for loved ones who have passed on. From our indigenous ancestors, we have Samhain (SAH-win) and Day of the Dead. From Christianity, we have All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day. And while many …
