Buddhism - four special days

[Phoenix Element]

I found this in an LJ community. The poster is very good about knowing what she's talking about, so I haven't reason to doubt her. But I'd love to learn more:


Four days a year are considered by buddhists to have the nature of all actions being worth ten million times its usual value, whether good or bad. Today is one of those days. So, be good or bad or both, but in buddhism it is considered a day to be very mindful and not careless or selfish...enjoy!

If this is true, do these days have numerological implications? Are today's events supposed to be particularly important for a larger cosmic reason? Or is this a way to remind people to be mindful and live life to its fullest?

[Cerulean_damselfly]

After googling, I found Nepal celebrates the June 11 date...

http://www.nbhalifax.org/events.html

Previously I was puzzled...I wanted to know what country and their lunar month the journal writer is thinking about...there's a variance here of birthdates, but it looks like the above is the enlightenment date.
I was checking other references...

http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma3/holidays.html

http://www.buddhanet.net/festival.htm

From the very little that I have read, May might be "Gautama Buddha's birthday" or in some Japanese regions, the seventh day of the seventh month is a festival day...but the June 11 date or new moon seems to deal with Nepal...I'll probably find more later if I can...

Thanks for your note, I was unfamilar with that information.

Cerulean_Damselfly

[Paracelsus]

But remember that the religion of Nepal is primarily Hinduism - indeed, the kind of Hinduism that still practices large scale animal sacrifices.

[el123]

Not exactly sure about FOUR days per year. But Buddhists celebrate Poya - full moon days. Full moon days are considered holy. People are extra cautious not to do bad and usually spend the day engrossed in religious activities.
The Buddha's Birthday, Day of Enlightenment and Day he died and went to Nirvana is considered to be in the month of May on a full moon day. So every full moon day in May - Vesak is celebrated. Well technically its not exactly a celebration. Its more a day of reflection. Its kinda like Good Friday, Easter and Christmas all in one day.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poya

http://www.holidayyear.com/holidays/poya-day.html
January : Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day
Duruthu Poya Day is observed as the Buddha's first visit to Sri Lanka.

February : Navam Full Moon Poya Day
Navam Poya Day celebrates the ordination of the Buddha Gotama's main disciples Sariputta and MahaMoggallana.

March : Medin Full Moon Poya Day
Medin Poya Day commemorates the visit of the Buddha to his home to preach to his father King Suddhodana.

April : Bak Full Moon Poya Day
Bak Poya Day commemorates the second visit of the Buddha to Sri Lanka which took place in the fifth year of his Supreme Enlightenment.

May : Vesak Full Moon Poya Day
The Buddhist calendar begins with the month of Vesak. On Vesak Day, Buddhists world over commemorate the triple anniversary of Sakyamuni Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha.

June : Poson Full Moon Poya Day
Poson Poya Day commemorates the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Arahat Maha Mahinda, son of King Asoka of India at Mihintale.

July : Esala Full Moon Poya Day
Esala Poya Day commemorates the deliverance of the first sermon to the five ascetics and setting in motion the Wheel of the Dhamma at Sarnath Benares, India.

August : Nikini Full Moon Poya Day
Nikini Poya Day commemorates the conducting of the first Dhamma Sangayana.

September : Binara Full Moon Poya Day
Binara Full Moon Poya Day commemorates the Buddha's visit to heaven to preach to his mother and celestial multitude.

October : Vap Full Moon Poya Day
Vap Poya Day commemorates the conclusion of the Buddha's preaching of the Abhidhamma for three months to his mother in the Heavenly realm.

November : Il Full Moon Poya Day
Il Poya Day commemorates the obtaining of Vivarana(the assurance of becoming a Buddha) by the Bodhisatta Maitriya and the commissioning of 60 disciples by the Buddha to disperse his teachings.

December : Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day
Unduvap Poya Day denotes the arrival of the Bo-tree sapling.


I believe 2011 is considered to be Buddhist Era 2554 - 2555. Which I believe is taken from the day the Buddha died.