The Gift Exchange

Festivals all over the world celebrate Vesak, or the birthday of Buddha, on the 8^th day of the fourth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year that date falls on May 12^th.

Buddha was born as Siddhartha Gotama in the foothills of the Himalayas over 2,500 years ago. He was born a crown prince of a kingdom in northern India, but later became known as the founder of enlightenment.

While some festivals directly celebrate the Buddha’s birth, many focus on promoting peace and harmony by “bringing the temple to the people.” Australia’s festival involves rituals, guided meditation, parades, and performances. In Japan, the day is known as Hana Matsuri, or “Flower Festival” since the date coincides with the blooming of the cherry trees. Sri Lanka hosts a country-wide festival with much of the population decorating their houses and streets with lanterns. The people attend religious observances and release thousands birds, insects, and animals in what is known as “a symbolic act to liberation” for those that are in captivity or imprisoned against their will.

There are smaller festivals in American cities, including Vista, CA, and Portland, OR. We offer a few Eastern-themed products at GiftTree, but my favorite is a Buddha Board. Using a paint brush and water, you create enchanting, bold designs that linger and then magically disappear, leaving behind a clean slate. Having analogous meaning to much of the tenants of Buddhism, like forsaking attachments and having a clear mind, this board is rich both in its meaning and its beauty.

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