Amid all the buzz about Christmas and Chanukah, we turn our attention to the east, where many ancient spiritual traditions are celebrating significant holidays at this time of year.
Buddhism: December 8th is Awakening Day, also called Bodhi Day. This is the anniversary of the historical Buddha's awakening, when Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha. According to tradition, Siddhartha resolved to sit under a bodhi tree and meditate until he discovered the root of human suffering and how to free one's self from it. Traditions and celebrations to commemorate Bodhi Day vary among Buddhist sects. Many individuals celebrate the Buddha's enlightenment through meditation, study of the Dharma, chanting of Buddhist texts, or performing acts of kindness for others
Jainism: December 19th, Maunajiyaras. This is a day of fasting, silence and meditation on the 5 holy beings: monks, teachers, religious leaders, Arihants (Jinas, enlightened masters) and Siddhas (liberated souls). Jains fast on all of their holy days. They believe that the soul is eternal and has infinite power and knowledge. Fasting is used as a technique to purify the body and mind to help them reach that power and knowledge.
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