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Today it's Buddha’s Birthday5/15/2024 In Hong Kong, Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, which this year lands on May 15.
Hong Kong declared it a public holiday in 1998; Buddhism is a major religion in the city, with more than 1 million followers among the population of roughly 7.5 million. To mark the occasion, thousands of worshippers visit Buddhist temples and monasteries throughout Hong Kong, with some eating only vegetarian meals as a way to “cleanse” their digestive systems. Lanterns are lit to symbolise the Buddha’s enlightenment, while altars are decorated with incense and offerings. Who was the Buddha? Buddha’s Birthday, marked on different days around the region, is a celebration of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born in a kingdom just below the Himalayan foothills sometime during the sixth or fifth century BC. The philosopher and spiritual teacher founded Buddhism, now the world’s fourth-largest religion with more than 500 million followers globally. Siddhartha’s spiritual journey started when he left his family’s lap of luxury, determined to break free of his privileged life and fully understand suffering. He fasted for long periods while engaging in meditation, and is believed to have achieved enlightenment while sitting under a Bodhi tree. This was when Siddhartha became the Buddha, the word derived from the Sanskrit word budh, which loosely translates as “one who is awake”. What rituals does Buddha’s Birthday include? Buddha’s Birthday is sometimes referred to as the Bathing of the Buddha Festival because a key ritual is for worshippers to use a ladle to pour water over a statue of Buddha, an act that symbolises the purification and cleansing of the soul. The ritual also involves bowing and the offering of prayers. For centuries, Buddha recognised the need to respect all living things. But one ritual carried out on his birthday, the practice of mercy release – freeing captured animals in the belief the act brings a person good karma – has come under fire from animal welfare groups. Many of the animals are weak and sick when bought for mercy release and are often caught from the wild just for the purpose of the ritual, according to Hong Kong’s Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG). “It is a sad irony that many wild animals are captured specifically to be released later,” a KFBG spokesman says. “Many are injured or die during capture and during transportation, due to shortage of food and water. Many are already sick and very weak, with minimal chance of survival.” Where to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in Hong Kong? The Buddha’s Light International Association of Hong Kong is hosting a series of family-friendly events in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay on May 15. Celebrations include a vegetarian food fair, flower show, arts and crafts, and a kids’ entertainment zone. Purifying rituals such as bathing the Buddha, wish-making and meditating will also be held. The Hong Kong Buddhist Association is holding a three-day celebration at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon, from May 15-17. The programme includes ceremonies for bathing, lantern lighting and chanting, as well as talks. One of the major celebrations in Hong Kong takes place at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island, near the Tian Tan Buddha statue. Also referred to as the Big Buddha, the 34-metre-tall (112ft) bronze statue, completed in 1993, is the world’s largest seated Buddha statue. On May 15, a Buddha bathing ceremony will be held in the monastery’s Hall of the Great Hero. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery (Man Fat Tsz) in Pai Tau Village, Sha Tin, in the New Territories, is one of Hong Kong’s most famous Buddhist temples and most popular tourist attractions. On May 15, Buddha bathing ceremonies will take place, along with the serving of complimentary vegetarian noodles. The Cheung Chau Bun Festival also coincides with the celebration of Buddha’s Birthday. Also known as the Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival, it is believed to have originated in the 18th or 19th century to celebrate the end of a plague. Highlights include the Piu Sik (“floating colour”) Parade and the bun-snatching competition, which sees participants scramble up bamboo towers to grab as many hanging buns as possible. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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I'm an Iranian woman and have lived under the Islamic Republic for 20,5 years. I moved to Germany because I thought the values I considered important would be respected in "free" Western countries. People cannot even imagine how triggering it is for us to see the unholy unity of islamists and radical leftists. This is the very phenomena that changed the history of my country for the worse. I am beyond disgusted and disturbed. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been sentenced to death for his role in the anti-government protests in 2022, his lawyer told the Iranian newspaper Sharq.
Salehi was arrested in October 2022 because he expressed support for the protest movement in his music. The death of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Amini sparked months of protests against which the regime cracked down. The woman died after being violently arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely. The rapper was sentenced to six years in prison last year, and then avoided the death penalty at the hands of the Supreme Court. According to the lawyer, a revolutionary court in Isfahan has now ruled that Salehi will still receive the death penalty. According to the counsel, this judgment is contrary to the judgment of the court. “We will certainly appeal this ruling,” he says. German parliamentarian Ye-One Rhie (Member of the Bundestag for the SPD) also reports the verdict. She is Toomaj's political sponsor, which means she keeps his case in the spotlight and increases the pressure. Salehi was briefly released at the end of last year. In a video he then talked about torture in the cell. His arms and legs would have been broken. He also had to spend 252 days in solitary confinement. For two weeks now, the Iranian police have been enforcing the headscarf requirement for women more strictly. Videos are posted on social media showing police cracking down on women who do not adhere to the dress code. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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On April 15, 2019 (5 years ago), flames sprang from the world-famous cathedral all evening. Television viewers around the world watched live as the immense spire collapsed.
Shortly afterwards, President Macron visited the church and promised: we will completely rebuild Notre-Dame in five years. There was ridicule and criticism. But the promise has been fulfilled. 1,000 oak trees had to be cut down to completely rebuild the spire alone. The stones, the wood, the glass and the lead: it was worked, supplied and tailor-made by around 1000 craftsmen from 250 companies from all over France, from sculptors to carpenters and from blacksmiths to coppersmiths. And then the large organ: the 8,000 pipes are currently being cleaned and patched up where necessary so that they can soon reverberate as usual. Five years after the devastating fire, Notre-Dame in Paris is visibly rising from its ashes. The reconstruction and renovation are almost complete. The spire has been largely rebuilt and reaches a height of 96 meters again. Scaffolding and scaffolding are being removed little by little. In eight months, on December 8, the doors will open to the public again. It is a miracle, some say: construction of the cathedral began in the year 1163 and took no less than 200 years. And now the church building has been restored to its former glory in just five years. "Of course, Notre-Dame did not burn down completely. Part of the roof, the vaults and the woodwork had to be rebuilt. The stone walls were almost entirely left standing. So it was doable within five years," says architectural historian Mathieu Lours. He is affiliated with the University of Cergy-Pontoise and is considered one of the specialists in France when it comes to the construction of churches and cathedrals. "What helped enormously is that Macron mentioned that five-year deadline. That put the renovation under time pressure and also ensured that some logistical matters could be arranged quickly, because the president wanted it that way. And not unimportant: there was enough money. " The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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The Songkran Festival, also known as the Thai New Year, is one of the most vibrant and significant celebrations in Thailand. Rooted deeply in history, religion, and spiritual beliefs, this festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai calendar. It is a time for joyous celebrations, family reunions, and spiritual renewal. This essay explores the rich tapestry of the Songkran Festival, delving into its historical origins, its connection to Buddhism, and its profound spiritual significance.
Historical Origins: The origins of the Songkran Festival can be traced back to ancient times, rooted in the traditions of Theravada Buddhism and animistic beliefs. Historically, Songkran was a time for communities to mark the end of the dry season and celebrate the arrival of the rainy season, which brought new life and fertility to the land. The word "Songkran" is derived from the Sanskrit word "saṃkrānti," meaning "astrological passage," symbolizing the movement of the sun into the next zodiac sign. In the past, Songkran was observed as a time for cleaning and purification, both physically and spiritually. People would clean their homes, temples, and Buddha images as a way of starting the new year with a fresh and pure mindset. The act of sprinkling water on one another originated as a symbol of cleansing and washing away the sins and bad luck of the past year. Connection to Buddhism: Central to the Songkran Festival is its deep connection to Buddhism, which plays a fundamental role in Thai culture and society. In Thailand, Songkran is not merely a secular celebration but also a time for devout Buddhists to engage in religious rituals and merit-making activities. Temples across the country are adorned with colorful decorations, and Buddhists gather to offer prayers, make offerings, and receive blessings from monks. One of the most important rituals during Songkran is the pouring of scented water over Buddha statues, symbolizing the purification of one's body, speech, and mind. This act of homage is believed to bring prosperity, good fortune, and spiritual merit to the devotee. Additionally, many Thai people participate in the tradition of "rod nam dum hua," where younger individuals pay respect to their elders by pouring water over their hands as a sign of reverence and gratitude. Spiritual Background: Beyond its historical and religious significance, the Songkran Festival holds profound spiritual meaning for the Thai people. It is a time for introspection, renewal, and the cultivation of positive virtues such as compassion, kindness, and generosity. The act of giving and receiving blessings through the offering of water fosters a sense of interconnectedness and unity among communities. Furthermore, Songkran serves as a reminder of the impermanent nature of existence and the cyclical rhythms of life. Just as the changing seasons bring about renewal and transformation in nature, so too does the Songkran Festival signify the opportunity for personal growth, spiritual evolution, and the casting off of old habits and attachments. In conclusion, the Songkran Festival stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage, spiritual traditions, and enduring values of the Thai people. Rooted in history, religion, and spiritual beliefs, this vibrant celebration serves as a time for purification, renewal, and the reaffirmation of cultural identity. As Thailand's most beloved festival, Songkran continues to inspire awe and reverence, inviting people from all walks of life to participate in its joyous festivities and timeless rituals. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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Dramatic images and video show the 850-year-old building ablaze as a huge emergency operation was launched.
The shocking scene in the French capital unfolded this afternoon, and flames have been seen coming from the two bell towers. Officials have cleared the area around Notre Dame, a City Hall spokesman confirmed. It is not yet known if anyone has been injured in the fire. Firefighters are helpless to bring the blaze under control because the flames are so far away, according to reports. Le Monde journalist Raphaëlle Bacqué reports that the fire is too far away for crews to be able to act. It is not known if anyone is inside the building, which closed to the public at 6pm local time, 50 minutes before the blaze was first reported. The Blog Tags Widget will appear here on the published site.
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