Celebrating Faith and Culture Backgrounder May 2012

The Peel District School Board is a mosaic of many cultures and faiths from all over the world. To commemorate this diversity, the board recognises special faith and culture days of our communities. May 2012 has several special faith and culture days to celebrate and remember: ______

May - Yansa'altt in Aboriginal Spirituality

Yansa’altt is celebrated by Nisga'a people of the Nass Valley in northwest British Columbia. It is the season when the woods are fragrant with berry blossoms that will yield the fruit in the summer. The berry crops are essential for the coming winter.

May 1 - Beltane in Wicca

Celebrated by Wiccans, Beltane is one of their four major sabbats (seasonal days of celebration). Beltane is a word that refers to the 'fire of the Celtic God of light.' This sabbat is the last of the spring fertility festivals, when nature is blooming and full of life. Beltane has also been known as May Day, as it is traditionally celebrated on May 1 with May pole dances. Another custom is to make a small bel-fire (a bonfire, or light a few candles) and either leap over the flames or walk between two bonfires for fertility and prosperity.

May 2 - 12th Day of Ridvan in Bahá'í

The 12th Day of Ridvan concludes this important Bahá’í festival. The festival of Ridvan, considered the "most great festival" in Bahá’í, is a 12-day celebration that starts at sunset April 20 and runs until sunset May 2. The most important date on the Bahá’í calendar, Ridvan (pronounced "Riz-wan") commemorates the public declaration of the prophethood of Baha'u'llah, the acknowledged founder of the Bahá’í faith. The first, ninth and 12th days of Ridvan are all major Bahá’í holy days. These days are marked by communal prayers and celebrations and are days on which work is suspended.

May 5 - Magha Puja in Buddhism

Magha Puja is celebrated on the full moon day of the third month in the Buddhist calendar. The festival commemorates the day on which Buddha recited the Ovadha Patimokkha (the Fundamental Teaching) to his disciples. The day is also celebrated for the Fourfold Assembly - gathering of 1,250 Arahantas (accomplished holy ones) at Veruvana Temple in Rajgarh city (India) of their own accord without notification on the full moon day and all 1,250 disciples being ordained by Buddha himself. Adherents renew their dedication to Dhamma (teachings of Buddha) practice on this day. May 5 - Sakyamuni Buddha's Birthday in Buddhism

On this day, Buddhists celebrate the birth of the founder of their religion. Siddhartha Gautama was born in the sixth century BCE, a prince of a north kingdom in ancient India. According to Buddhist scriptures, he was so concerned about the inequities of human life that when he was 29, he gave up his royal position, left home and strove to live a virtuous life. At age 35, he attained enlightenment and became Sakyamuni Buddha. He died at the age of about 80, and left a number of his students who continued to study and spread Buddhism over the world. Buddhists celebrate this day by visiting temples to make offerings of prayers, incense, fruits, flowers and donations.

May 5 - Wesak Day in Buddhism

For followers of Buddhism, mainly in Sri Lanka, Wesak is the major festival of the year, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha on the day of the first full moon in May (except in a leap year when the festival is held in June). Adherents visit temples and pay homage to the Buddha with candles, flowers and incense. Chanting and prayers are important part of the day.

May 17 - the month of 'Azamat in Bahá'í

In the Bahá'í calendar, there are 19 months of 19 days each. Each month represents an attribute of God. May 17 is the Feast Day for the beginning of 'Azamat, the fourth month of the Bahá'í calendar, signifying "grandeur."

The Bahá'í day starts and ends at sunset. The first day of each month is known as a Feast Day.

May 17 and 24 (J) - Ascension in Christianity

Forty days after Easter, Christians celebrate Jesus' ascension from Earth into heaven. The day is observed with worship, including prayers and music. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Ascension, also known as analepsis, is one of 12 great feasts and will be observed on the 24th.

May 21 - Victoria Day in Canada

Canadians celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday on the Monday proceeding May 24 which is the actual birthday of the Sovereign. The holiday was declared by the Legislature of the Province of Canada in 1845. Eve of May 22 to May 23 - Declaration of the Báb in Bahá'í

Siyyid Alí Muhammád declared himself to be the Báb, or "Gate of God," at two hours and eleven minutes after sunset on the evening of May 22, 1844 in the Persian city of Shiraz. Members of the Bahá'í faith believe that the Báb was the herald and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh, the messenger of God for this age. The date of his declaration marks the beginning of the Bahá'í faith and calendar. Every year on this date, Bahá'ís around the world gather to commemorate this event. They abstain from work on this day.

May 22 or 24 - Jashn-e-Sadeh in Zoroastrianism

Jashan-e-Sadeh, also known as the Feast of Fire, is a highly religious festival for Zoroastrian followers of the Qadimi calendar. The festival involves collecting wood by all in the community, and then lighting the bonfire after blessing the community to drive back the winter.

May 25 - Zarathosht-no-Diso in Zoroastrianism

On May 26 each year, Zoroastrians following the Shenshahi calendar, commemorate the anniversary of the death of Prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster), the founder of their faith. Scholars say he lived between 1500 and 1000 BCE in northeast Iran.

Eve of May 26 to May 28 - Shavuot in Judaism

Shavuot, also known as Pentecost, marks the conclusion of the period of seven weeks that follows Pesach (Passover). Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The observance of Shavuot begins at sunset on May 26 and is celebrated for one or two days based on the adherents' beliefs. Specific scriptures are read in the synagogue to commemorate Shavuot.

May 27 - Pentecost in Christianity

In western Christian churches, Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Jesus' disciples following his ascension. It is often referred to as “The Birthday of the Church.” As the name suggests, it falls on the 50th day after Easter. It is a traditional day for baptism and confirmation of new Christians.

Pentecost is the festival when Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ. May 29 - Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh in Bahá'í

This date commemorates the death in 1892 of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í faith. This anniversary is a day of rest and is often observed by prayers and readings. Bahá'ís suspend work on this day.

Ideas for celebrating special faith and cultural days in your school

If you have a colleague who celebrates one of these days, don't forget to offer them best wishes! If you have students in your school who are followers of any of the listed religions:

- Make sure the dates are included on your school calendar - Have your principal announce the day over the PA system - Hold an assembly to talk with students about the importance of these days - Include a mention of these days in your school newsletter - Include information on your school website - Display student artwork announcing these days or depicting their ideas about these days - Invite a member of a local faith group to come in and discuss the significance of this day with students - Have class discussions about these days - Ask some of your students who celebrate certain holidays to write a short essay on how they celebrate this day at home. Have them read it to the class to share this celebration with the other students. - Have parents offer a cultural session

Questions?

If you would like any more information on how to celebrate these days, please call Varsha Naik, Community Liaison Coordinator at 905-890-1010, ext. 2573 or e-mail her [email protected]