Amid all the Christmas cheer we’re also thinking, joining in with and celebrating other religious and cultural festivities that take place in December. African American, Jewish, Buddhist and Pagan communities are among those marking important occasions as the year draws to a close.
Here, we mark five of the global occasions taking place this month and share insights into just some of the traditions associated with them.
The Kaleidoscope Alumni Network marked Interfaith Week, which was celebrated from 12-19 November by groups and individuals including the University’s Interfaith Steering Group and the School of Divinity. Here, we share a report from their Inaugural Interfaith Lecture in St Andrews.
Celebrated to coincide with the darkest night of the lunar month of Kartik in either late October or early November, Deepawali or Diwali is the Hindu New Year’s Day. It is the biggest and brightest of all Hindu festivals and will be marked this year on Sunday 12 November with four days of festivities to illuminate countries and communities around the world.
From 15 to 24 October, Hindus around the world will take part in a nine-day celebration dedicated to the worship of the Mother Goddess Durga. Shardiya Navratri is one of the most significant Hindu festivals with devotees worshipping each of the nine avatars of Maa Durga, one for each day (or night – Navratri translating as ‘nine nights’) of the festival period. It begins on the first day of the lunar month.
The UN marks International Moon Day on 20 July to commemorate the anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission. International Moon Day celebrates the development of lunar exploration by countries around the world, whilst raising awareness around sustainable exploration practices. Sustainable space exploration has gained attention recently due to the increase in debris orbiting the earth as a result of satellite launches. Like sustainability aims on Earth, these initiatives aim to preserve the ecological balance of the moon for future generations. As our only natural satellite, the moon is significant in many cultures around the world. From its prominence in astrology and cultural mythology, to its practical uses in navigation and keeping time, it is imperative that we take care of this important celestial object.
The title ‘Dalai Lama’ is given to the spiritual leader of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) – the newest and the most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is considered a symbol of unification, representing Buddhist values and traditions. The Dalai Lama is considered to be a successor to a line of tulku, (keepers of knowledge/teachings), who are believed to be incarnations of the Bodhisattva; beings who refrain from reaching enlightenment out of compassion for those who cannot and are suffering as a result. Dalaiis derived from the Mongolian dalaivan gan or dalaiin Kan (ocean/great) and, in combination with the Tibetan word བླ་མ་ (master/guru), forms the title Dalai Lama, literally, master of the ocean or ocean guru.
Today, millions globally will take part in festivities; dress up in their finest attire, exchange gifts and make and share foods infused with saffron and cardamon that fill the air with sweet scents. It is a time to join friends and family for a feast to celebrate a time of immense joy.