Buddhism has a long history and many followers today. The beginning of this religion has its own romantic legend, which will be discussed in this article. Also in Buddhism there are a sufficient number of large and small holidays, the meaning of which differs significantly from traditional ones.
Buddhism is one of the world religions
Buddhism is considered one of the first historical religions (two more are Christianity and Islam). However, if we compare it with the other two, then it turns out that the definition of a philosophical and religious system is more suitable for Buddhism, since it is not necessary to talk about God in the usual sense. It's just not here.
Some researchers tend to believe that Buddhism is very close to the world of science, as it has a thirst for knowledge of the laws of the world (nature, the human soul, the universe). In addition, according to the tradition of Buddhism, it is believed that human life after the death of the body takes a different form, and does not go into oblivion. This is very similar to conservation law.matter in the world or its transition to another state of aggregation.
Since ancient times, this teaching, due to its breadth of views, has gathered many true thinkers, scientists of various fields, outstanding doctors. This is what Buddhist monasteries were famous for, and also for their books on scientific topics.
By the way, Buddhism also devotes its holidays to gaining new knowledge through enlightenment (if anyone can do it). Some of them are revealed through the performances that the monks act out (for example, the mystery of Tsam).
Childhood and adolescence of Gautama Buddha
The birth and birth of the future founder of the world religion is shrouded in legends and mysticism. The Buddha was originally an Indian prince, whose name was Siddhartha Gautama. His conception is mysterious and intriguing. The mother of the future enlightened one once had a dream that a white elephant entered her side. After some time, she discovered that she was pregnant, and nine months later she gave birth to a male baby. The boy was named Siddhartha, which means "fulfilled his destiny." The baby's mother could not bear the birth and died a couple of days later. This determined the feelings that the ruler, his father, had for Siddhartha. He loved his wife very much, and when she died, he transferred all his unspent love to his son.
By the way, Buddha's birthday is a rather controversial date, which, however, is fixed today. Since Buddhism uses the lunar calendar,The moment of birth of the founder is considered the eighth day of the lunar month Vesak. However, they still did not come to a compromise with the year of birth.
A great future was predicted for a boy born by the sage Asita, namely, the accomplishment of a great religious feat. Of course, the father did not want this for him, he did not want his son to pursue a religious career. By this he determined the childhood years of Gautama and subsequent ones. Although from birth he was prone to daydreams and daydreams, he was able to experience brief moments of enlightenment. From childhood, the Buddha strove for solitude and deep contemplation.
However, my father was against all this. Surrounding his son with luxury and all the blessings, marrying him to a beautiful girl, and also hiding from his eyes all the bad underside of this world (poverty, hunger, disease, etc.), he hoped that the sublimity was forgotten, anxious moods were driven away. However, this did not lead to the expected result, and after a while the hidden became clear.
According to legend, once on the street he saw a funeral, a sick man and an ascetic. All this made an indelible impression on him. He realized that the world is not as he knows it and is full of suffering. That same night, he left his home.
Reclusion and preaching of the Buddha
The next Buddha period is the search for truth. On his way, he met many trials - from a simple study of philosophical treatises to ascetic asceticism. However, nothing answered the questions. Only once, after he had renounced all false teachings, thinned his soul with previous researches,illumination came. The thing he had been waiting for all these years had happened. He saw not only his own life in the true light, but also the life of other people, all the connections between the material and the non-material. Now he knew…
From that moment on, he became a Buddha, Enlightened and seeing the truth. Gautama preached his doctrine for forty years, traveling between villages and cities. Death came to him at the age of eighty, after parting words. This day is revered no less than the birthday of the Buddha, as well as the moment when enlightenment descended on him.
The rise of Buddhism as a religion
It should be noted that Buddhism itself spread very quickly throughout India, as well as Southeast and Central Asia, and penetrated a little into Siberia and Central Asia. During its formation, several directions of this doctrine appeared, some of them carry a rational grain, others mystical.
One of the most important is the Mahayana tradition. Her followers believe that it is very important to maintain a compassionate attitude towards other living beings. In their opinion, the meaning of spiritual enlightenment is to achieve it, and then continue to live in this world for its benefit.
This tradition also uses Sanskrit for religious texts.
Another direction that is quite large and was formed from the Mahayana is called the Vajrayana. The second name is Tantric Buddhism. The customs of Vajrayana Buddhism are connected by mystical practices, where powerful symbols are used in order to influence the subconsciousperson. This allows you to use all the resources to the fullest and helps the Buddhist to move to the point of enlightenment. By the way, today elements of this direction are present in some traditions as separate parts.
Another big and very widespread direction is Theravada. Today it is the only school that dates back to the first traditions. This teaching is based on the Pali Canon, which is written in the Pali language. It is believed that it is these scriptures (albeit in a distorted form, since they were transmitted orally for a long time) that most truthfully convey the words of the Buddha. This teaching also believes that enlightenment can be achieved by the most dedicated follower. Thus, in the entire history of Buddhism, twenty-eight such enlightenments have already been counted. These Buddhas are also especially revered by those who profess this religion.
However, it should be noted that the main dates of the holidays coincide in almost all traditions.
Some traditions of this teaching (family and others)
So, among other things, there are many different traditions in Buddhism. For example, the attitude to marriage in this religion is special. No one forces anyone to anything, but nevertheless there is no revelry and betrayal. In the Buddhist tradition of family life, there are some guidelines on how to make it happy and dignified. The founder of the doctrine gave only some recommendations that one should be faithful, not flirt and not kindle feelings in oneself for someone other than one's spouse or spouse. Apart fromthis, one should not have fornication and have sex outside of marriage.
However, there is nothing against if a person does not enter into a family relationship, since this is a personal matter for everyone. It is believed that if necessary, people can disperse by mutual agreement, if it is no longer possible to live together. However, such a need is rare if a man and a woman strictly follow the rules and precepts of the Buddha. He also advised those people who have a large age difference (for example, an elderly man and a young woman) not to marry.
In principle, marriage in Buddhism is an opportunity for joint development, support in everything for each other. It is also an opportunity to avoid loneliness (if it is difficult to live with it), fear and deprivation.
Buddhist monasteries and the way of life of monks
Followers of this teaching usually live in sangha communities that occupy a particular temple of the Buddha. Monks are not priests in our usual sense. They just go through training there, studying sacred texts, meditating. Almost anyone (both male and female) can become a member of such a community.
Each direction of teaching has its own set of rules, which must be strictly followed by monks-followers. Some of them forbid eating meat, some prescribe agricultural activities, and others forbid interfering in social and political life (monks live on alms).
Thus, one who has become a follower of the Buddha must abide by the rules and not deviate from them.
Meanings of holidays in Buddhism
If we talk about such a religion as Buddhism, the holidays here have a special status. They are not marked the way we do. In Buddhism, a holiday is a special day that has more restrictions than permissions. According to their beliefs, these days there is a thousandfold increase in all mental and physical deeds, as well as their consequences (both positive and negative). It is believed that the observance of all major dates allows you to comprehend the nature and essence of the teachings, to approach the Absolute as close as possible.
The essence of the celebration is to create purity around and in yourself. This can be achieved through special rites of Buddhism, as well as the repetition of mantras, playing musical instruments (the sounds that they emit are important), and the use of some cult objects. All this leads to the fact that a person's fine structure is restored, which significantly clears his consciousness. On a holiday, you must perform such an action as visiting a temple, as well as making an offering to the Community, the Teacher, the Buddhas.
It is not considered shameful in the Buddhist tradition to celebrate at home, because the most important thing is the mood, as well as knowledge of what it is all about. It is believed that every person, even without being in a crowd of the same celebrants, can, after appropriate adjustment, join the general field of celebration.
Buddhist Holidays: Visakha Puja
There are various holidays of Buddhism, the list of which is quite large. Let's consider the most important of them. For example,One such holiday for all Buddhists is Visakha Puja. It is a symbol of three events that took place in the life of the founder of this doctrine - birth, enlightenment and departure from life (into nirvana). Very many schools of followers believe that all these events happened on the same day.
Celebrate this holiday on a grand scale. All temples are decorated with paper lanterns and flower garlands. On their territory put a lot of lamps with oil. The monks recite prayers and tell stories about the Buddha to the laity. This holiday lasts a week.
Buddhist holidays: Asalha
If we talk about the religious holidays of Buddhism, then this one can be attributed to them. He talks about that teaching, Dharma, which was brought to people, and with the help of which it was possible to achieve enlightenment. The celebration of this event takes place in July (Asalha), on the day of the full moon.
It is worth noting that this day, among other things, also indicates the founding of the Sangha. The first in this community were those followers who followed the Buddha and carried out his instructions. It also means that three refuges have appeared in the world - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.
This day is also the beginning of the retreat period for monks (waso). However, this does not mean that at this time you only need to abstain from food. It's just that the practice of the Sangha includes the moment that it is permissible to eat only in the morning (from sunrise to noon).
Buddhist holidays: Kathina
This day ends the waso period. Celebrated on the full moon in October. On this day, the laity presents forbhikhi special attire. The name of this person is called at the time when Kathina is celebrated. After the end of this period (waso), the monks set off again.
So Buddhism holidays has quite a variety. This ends a certain period of celebration of religious important days, but there are many more.
Mystery Zam
This is a very interesting annual festival that lasts for several days. They perform it in the monasteries of Nepal, Tibet, Buryatia, Mongolia and Tuva. By the way, this mystery could be performed at completely different times - in winter and summer, and also have a completely different genre.
The speech could have been ambiguous as well. For example, one Buddha temple created a ritual dance, and another put on a play with dialogues that were read by several actors. And, finally, the third temple in general could put on a multi-component acting performance, where there were a large number of participants.
The meaning of this mystery is diverse. For example, with the help of it it was possible to frighten the enemies of the teaching, as well as to demonstrate the true teaching over false teaching. It was still possible to pacify the evil forces for the next year. Or just prepare a person for the path that he makes after death for the next rebirth.
So, Buddhism holidays are not only religious, but also solemn and sublime.
Other holidays of Buddhism
There are also other holidays of Buddhism, which include:
- New Year;
- a day dedicated to the fifteen miracles of the Buddha;
- Kalachakra festival;
- Maidari-hular;
- Loy Krathong;
- Rek Na and many others.
Thus, we see that there are the main holidays of Buddhism and others that are no less valuable and important, but are celebrated more modestly.
Conclusion
So, we see that this teaching is quite diverse both in terms of knowledge and holidays. The long history of Buddhism has undergone many changes throughout its time that have transformed the religion itself. But its essence and the path of the person who passed it first and gave certain knowledge to his followers did not distort.
All the numerous dates of the holidays in one way or another reflect the essence of the doctrine. Their annual celebration gives hope and rethinking of their deeds among followers. By participating in a common celebration, some come a little closer to the essence of Buddhism and become one step closer to the very enlightenment that the founder was awarded.
