2009 Buddhist Holidays

2009 Buddhist Holidays & Calendar Tibetan, Zen, Pure Land & Theravada Buddhism 2009 , Buddhist Holidays (Tibetan, Zen, Pure Land & Theravada Buddhism) January * 1/1: Day to meditate for peace throughout the world. [World Peace Day; Universal Hour of Peace: 7:00-8:00 a.m. EST.] * 1/3: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful of the peace, joy, and beauty of the moment. * 1/4: Day for meditation on Tantric Buddha Deities Amitayus and White Tara, who grant good health and long life. Buddhists study sacred texts, meditate, pray, chant mantras, and make devotional offerings to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. [a/k/a Amitayus Buddha Day, Tara Puja, Medicine Buddha Day, 8th Tibetan day] * 1/6: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 1/11: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 1/18: World Religions Day--Day to contemplate all religions as different paths to the one universal Deity of many names and aspects. * 1/19: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 1/26: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] February * 2/3: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] * 2/4: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 2/7: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you, and all that is, are in the process of transformation. * 2/9: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 2/15: Nehan--Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's paranirvana (483 BCE). The Buddha taught an eight-fold path to enlightenment - right views, right aspiration, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right contemplation. [563-483 BCE: exact dates unknown] [Forms of Buddhism include Theravada, Tantra (Tibetan), and Mahayana (Zen and Pure Land).] * 2/19: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 2/23: Sojong Day--Tibetan Buddhist day of fasting, confession, and reparation for harm done. [Observed primarily by monks and nuns.] [a/k/a Sojong Chemno] * 2/24: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 2/25 to 3/11: Losar/Tibetan Buddhist New Year (Year 2136: the Earth Ox) & Monlam Chenmo/Great Prayer Festival--Commemorates miracles performed by the Buddha. Rituals, dances, and sculptures are offered to drive out evil spirits and to protect and benefit all sentient beings. March * 3/4: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] * 3/6: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 3/7: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that you are connected to each and every sentient being that has ever existed. * 3/11: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 3/15: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Bodhisattva Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon; celebrates Her "birth." She declared women the spiritual equals of men. [2nd Chinese month, 19th day] * 3/21: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 3/21: Haru-no-Higan--Day Japanese Buddhists mark the time of change by meditating on the impermanence of death. [a/k/a Ohigan] * 3/26: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] APRIL * 4/3: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Deities Avalokitesvara and Green Tara, consciousness and empowerment of Compassion. Buddhists recognize the equality of all sentient beings. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [Avalokitesvara Mantra: Om Mani Padmi Hum] [a/k/a Tara Puja, 8th Tibetan day] * 4/4: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 4/4: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that the joys and suffering of others are your joys and suffering. * 4/7: World Health Day--Day to pray for healing of all those chronically and seriously ill; day to advocate for adequate health care for all. [Day the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) was founded in 1948.] [For information on World Health Day, see World Health Organization website; UN Dag Hammarskjold Library website.] [For information on the World Health Organization, see World Health Organization website.] * 4/8: Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's birth (563 BCE). [563-483 BCE: exact dates unknown] * 4/9: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 4/20: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 4/22: Earth Day--Day to honor the Earth and to meditate on Deity manifesting as Mother Earth. [a/k/a International Earth Day, National Earth Day] [For information about Earth Day activities, see Earthday Network website; Envirolink website; U.S. government website for Earth Day; U.S. E.P.A. website for Earth Day.] * 4/25: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] MAY * 5/2: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] * 5/2: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that everything you do, or fail to do, affects all sentient beings. * 5/4: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 5/9: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 5/19: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 5/24: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 5/31: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] JUNE * 6/2: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 6/6: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing the interdependence of all things at all times. * 6/7 (Ch B 5/2, Th B 5/9): Saga Dawa Duchen--Tibetan Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE). [a/k/a Wesak, Vesak, Vesakha Puja, Visakha Puja, Budh Purnima, Buddha Jayanti] [Tib B: 4th Tibetan month, 15th day; Ch B: 4th Chinese month, 8th day; Th B: May UT Full Moon day] * 6/7: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 6/18: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 6/22: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 6/30: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] JULY * 7/1: Day endangered species became internationally protected (1975); day to celebrate all the world's creatures. [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora: signed/adopted 3/3/1973; entered into force 7/1/1975.] [Text of Convention] [For more information, see U.N. Environmental Programme CITES website; World Wildlife Fund website; EarthJustice website.] * 7/2: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 7/4: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that alienation and hunger for possessions results from ignorance of interconnectedness. * 7/4 to 7/11: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon, Supreme Goddess of Nature and Perfect Buddha of many emanations; celebrates Her enlightenment and Her vow to help all sentient beings. [Buddhists act daily on their vows to help all sentient beings.] [6th Chinese month, 12th to 19th days] * 7/7: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 7/13 to 7/15: Obon--Zen Buddhist festival honoring departed ancestors. [a/k/a Bon] * 7/17: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 7/22: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 7/25 (Th B 7/7): Chokhor Duchen--Tibetan Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's first teaching. [Theravadin Buddhist festival a/k/a Esala, Ashala Dhamma, Asalha Puja] [Tib B: 6th Tibetan month, 4th day; Th B: July UT Full Moon day] * 7/29: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] * 7/31: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] AUGUST * 8/1: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that desire for power over others results from ignorance of interdependence. * 8/5: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 8/15: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 8/20: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 8/28: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] * 8/30: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed SEPTEMBER * 9/4: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 9/5: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that harm to the Earth and sentient beings results from ignorance of interdependence. * 9/14: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 9/18: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 9/21: International Day of Peace--Day to demonstrate for peace with justice throughout the world. [a/k/a U.N. International Day of Peace] [For more information on the International Day of Peace, see International Day of Peace website and International Day of Peace Vigil website.] * 9/23: Aki-no-Higan--Day Japanese Buddhists mark the time of change by meditating on the impermanence of life. [a/k/a Ohigan] * 9/26: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess Gold Tara, provider of all sustenance and necessities. [Gold Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Pushtim Kuru Om] [a/k/a Tara Puja, 8th Tibetan day] * 9/28: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] OCTOBER * 10/3: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for being mindful that fear and hatred of others results from ignorance of interconnectedness. * 10/4: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 10/5: Day honoring Zen Buddhist philosopher Bodhidharma (470-543), who believed one could attain Buddhahood by realizing one's own Buddha nature. [a/k/a Bodhidharma Day] * 10/7: Mahayana Buddhist festival of Bodhisattva Tara/Kuan Yin/Kannon; celebrates Her attainment of Bodhisattvahood. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are aspects of AdiBuddha - the masculine and feminine, transcendent and immanent, omniscient and omnipotent, primordial and eternal Absolute. [9th Chinese month, 19th day] * 10/13: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 10/18: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 10/18: Day the Clean Water Act was enacted (1972); day to give thanks for the water we drink. [Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 896, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.] * 10/26: Tara Puja--Tibetan Buddhist fast of Bodhisattva Goddess Tara. All are equal in Her circles; She is worshipped with meditations on mandalas and chanting of mantra. [Green Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha] [8th Tibetan day] * 10/28: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] NOVEMBER * 11/2: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 11/6: World Community Day--Day for celebrating the unity behind diversity and remembering we are all one people - all children of the one universal Deity of many names and aspects. * 11/7: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing and acting with compassion for the Earth and all creatures. * 11/9: Lha Bab Duchen--Day Tibetan Buddhists celebrate the Buddha's descent from heaven after teaching the Dharma there. [9th Tibetan month, 22nd day] * 11/11: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 11/16: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 11/19: Fast for an Abundant World Harvest--Day to fast and commit to action to help prevent deaths from malnourishment world-wide. [a/k/a Fast for a World Harvest] [For more information, see the Oxfam America website.] * 11/25: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess White Tara, who guides the dead to Buddha Amitabha's Pure Land, where all will find salvation. [White Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Ture Mama Ayu Punya Jnana Pushtim Kuru Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja, 8th Tibetan day] * 11/26: Thanksgiving Day--Day to give thanks for the abundance of our land and for our food, clothes, shelter, and health. * 11/27: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] DECEMBER * 12/1: World AIDS Day--Day to pray for healing of all those suffering with AIDS and HIV. [For information on World AIDS Day, see World AIDS Day website. For information about the global fight against AIDS, see UNAIDS website.] [For information on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, see Human Rights Watch website.] * 12/2: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] * 12/5: Mindfulness Day--Zen Buddhist day for mindfully seeing and acting with compassion for the poor and oppressed. * 12/8: Rohatsu--Zen Buddhist celebration of the Buddha's enlightenment. [a/k/a Bodhi Day] * 12/11: Dakinis' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Mother Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Mother Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 25th Tibetan day] * 12/11: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Deities Manjusri and PrajnaParamita, consciousness and empowerment of Wisdom. Prajna-Paramita is considered Mother of All Buddhas. [Prajna-Paramita Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavatyai Aryaprajnaparamitayai] [Manjusri Mantra: Om Ah Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih] [10th Tibetan month, 25th day] * 12/16: Shakyamuni Buddha Day--Day Tibetan Buddhists meditate on the Buddha's teachings and strive to fulfill the Precepts. [Shakyamuni Mantra: Om Muni Muni Mahamuni Shakyamuni Svaha] [a/k/a Siddhartha Buddha Day, 30th Tibetan day, UT New Moon day] * 12/24: Day for meditation on Tantric Bodhisattva Goddess Red Tara, protector against evil and harm. [Red Tara Mantra: Om Tare Tuttare Santa Ra Hri Svaha] [a/k/a Tara Puja, 8th Tibetan day] * 12/26: Dakas' Day--Day Tantric Buddhists make offerings to Father Tantra; day to unite will and power to manifest positive social change and environmental healing. [Observed primarily by Tantric initiates.] [a/k/a Father Tantra Puja, Tsog, Tsok, 10th Tibetan day] * 12/26: Day to mourn all those killed in the Asian tsunami (2004) and to aid those who survived. * 12/28: Day the Endangered Species Act was enacted (1973); day to mourn those creatures already extinct. [Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat. 884, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.] [Text of statute] [See also EarthJustice website.] * 12/31: Amitabha Buddha Day--Day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana. [Amitabha Mantra: Om Amideva Hrih] [15th Tibetan day, UT Full Moon day] There is no one Buddhist calendar. Theravada Buddhist holidays (with roots in Sri Lanka and Thailand) are based on a Theravada lunisolar calendar. Holidays are calculated based on Universal Time. Zen Buddhist holidays (with roots in Japan) are based on the Japanese (Gregorian) calendar and have fixed dates. Chinese Mahayana Buddhist holidays (Pure Land Buddhist holidays) are based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar and calculated from the Chinese New Year. The Chinese month begins on the day of the New Moon in China. Vajrayana Buddhist holidays (commonly called Tibetan Buddhist holidays or Tantric Buddhist holidays) are based on the unique Tibetan lunisolar calendar. The Tibetan New Year begins just after, or a month following, the Chinese New Year; the Tibetan month begins the day following the New Moon. Pursuant to prevailing practice, Tibetan Buddhist holidays are calculated based on Universal time. Those who wish to practice according to local time may need to make adjustments. Due to the necessity of "missing days" in the Tibetan calendar, some holidays (e.g. Tara Pujas, Dakas' Days, and Dakinis' Days) may be celebrated one day earlier/later on the Gregorian calendar than the date given. Though some Tibetan Buddhist holidays occur annually, many occur fortnightly or monthly. Please Join Our Sponsor Program to support this Ebook Thank you Industrial & Manufacturing List of free Industrial & Manufacturing magazines, white papers, downloads and podcasts to find the titles that best match your skills; topics include packaging, distribution, product development and warehousing. Simply complete the application form and submit it. All are absolutely free to professionals who qualify. Read more Meetings & Travel List of free Meetings & Travel magazines, white papers, downloads and podcasts to find the titles that best match your skills; topics include conferences, corporate meetings, trade shows and conventions. Simply complete the application form and submit it. 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