With Sanghamitta Day looming...

[Emi]

... I'm curious as to how you all keep it, if at all.

How do you observe the day? And if there's no temple near by for you to visit, what then?

Pure, 'unadulterated' curiosity, I'm afraid.

Thanks for any replies!

Emi

[Sanghamitta]

Having been honoured by being given her name when I took Refuge I will of course keep the observance of her day.

I will go along to my nearest temple and help with the Dana meal.

May everyone have a peaceful and joyful Sanghamitta Day.

[BlackBird]

Do a bit of meditation

[Ben]

Unless I'm on a retreat, I usually don't observe the Uposotha. Its just a bit difficult with a busy married life with kids. Maintaining precepts and daily practice is challenge enough at this stage.
But I would like to encourage others to observe the Uposotha when they can. And I wish everyone a very auspicious Sanghamitta Day, especially Sanghamitta who is enjoying a refuge anniversary on the day.
metta

Ben

[Sanghamitta]

[David N. Snyder]

How do you observe the day? And if there's no temple near by for you to visit, what then?

Sometimes to a temple, but mostly on / around December 25. We (family) sometimes have an artificial tree with lights, exchange gifts, and eat one large meal around noon, with desserts to make it a festive occasion. The Christmas rituals in a way have more to do with Sanghamitta Day then Christmas:

Ven. Sanghamitta arrived in Sri Lanka with the 'gifts' of the Dhamma and the sapling of the original Bodhi Tree. The traditional gift exchanges during Christmas could remind Buddhists of the gifts Ven. Sanghamiita brought to Sri Lanka. For those who like Christmas trees, the tree could also represent the sapling of the Bodhi Tree she brought with her from India.

[Emi]

Ven. Sanghamitta arrived in Sri Lanka with the 'gifts' of the Dhamma and the sapling of the original Bodhi Tree. The traditional gift exchanges during Christmas could remind Buddhists of the gifts Ven. Sanghamiita brought to Sri Lanka. For those who like Christmas trees, the tree could also represent the sapling of the Bodhi Tree she brought with her from India.

This is beautiful; I'd never looked at Christmas in this way - thank you for opening my eyes.

[Monkey Mind]

Thanks, all. I was not familiar with this holiday, but I accepted triple gem refuge for the first time on December 25th, 1989, largely because I wanted to detoxify from an especially crappy consumerism driven year. Now I can triply celebrate Christmas!

[PeterB]

Sadhu !