How Buddhists Celebrate the Holiday Season....Happy Holidays from the East Aurora Shambhala Meditation Group

    This is the holiday season....Christians all over the world are celebrating Christmas and the birth of the Jesus Christ; Jews celebrate their holiday, Hanukkah, the eight-day holiday commemorating the re-dedication of the Holy temple of Jerusalem; African-Americans have Kwanzaa, a week long celebration of African-American heritage and culture; Muslims celebrate Ashura, a commemoration of Moses crossing of the Red Sea. It seems like everybody has a holiday to celebrate this time of year except, perhaps, Buddhists. What is a Buddhist to do?

     Celebrate the season. It's not unusual to practice Buddhism and be a Christian, Jew, or Muslim, or of any other religion- or even an agnostic or atheist. Buddhist beliefs are in harmony with the core beliefs of all the world's religions. You may practice your religious faith even while practicing Buddhism.
     After all, much of this holiday season is focused on peace, love, compassion for others, aiding the poor, donating to charities... "goodwill towards men, peace on Earth"-  Exactly what the Buddha taught, what Buddhist practioners believe. 
     There are many who are sadly out of touch with the inherent beauty and simple magnificence of this time of year. The media and corporate world wants us to turn our focus to consumption, buying toys and electronics, selfishness indulgence, drinking alcohol. These things, of course, do not correlate with the Bodhisattva path. Sadly, the holiday season is also a time of stress and unhappiness for many.  As Buddhists, we must do what we can to bring compasion and enlightenment to those who suffer and are in need of awakening. 
     Remember the five precepts; don’t cause any suffering this holiday season; be mindful, enjoy time with family & friends and celebrate the spirit of the season. This holiday season is a great time to celebrate one's chosen faith while following the Bodhisattva path. As Chogyam Rinpoche said, "This world needs you."  
     .....By the way... Buddhists do have a holiday this time of year: December 8th is Bodhi Day, a commemoration of the day Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, attained enlightenment.  

Happy Holidays to all!