Merry Bodhiday

I get asked every year, "Well you can't have a christmas tree or well, can you? Do you even celebrate holidays?" Every year, I try to explain the concept of "holy days" that are Buddhist.

I have a Bodhiday tree, not a christmas tree. It might look kind of like a christmas tree in that it's a fake fir tree with fibre-optic lights and a fibre-optic five-point star on top, but no one ever told me that a sparkly tree can only symbolise one tradition (history shows that the winter solstice tree came to be known as a christmas tree, after all.) :)

It has an iridescent-white garland wrapped around it like the wheel of Dharma. It also has a garland of iridescent round beads, similar to my Juzu. Then I also hung little tiny ball ornaments covered in hundreds of little mirrors (like disco balls) on some of the branches -- since my Gohonzon is a mirror. My tree reminds me of the principles I believe in -- and what more could I ask for?

I also usually have a wreath -- either in a Wheel of Dharma shape (circle of life) or in a heart-shape like the leaves of the Bodhi tree.

My Bodhiday dinner contains no animal products, and at least one dish containing figs (as the Bodhi tree is part of the fig tree family.)

Bodhi day celebrates the Buddha's enlightenment when he transcended that endless circle of life and death. I try to find symbols and objects which reflect all that Buddhism means to me during this time of year. I use star shapes and fibre-optic lights that look like the stars at night to reflect universal concepts of birth and death. I make a 'traditional' fig dish, symbolising the fruit of the Bodhi tree. I use heart shapes to represent the heart of the body as well as the leaves of the Bodhi tree. I put candles in lotus-shaped candle holders for dinner so that I am reminded of both the actual Lotus and the Lotus Sutra. Mirrors remind me of the sacred Gohonzon.

Do I still purchase gifts? Sure, I purchase food and books and clothing or pet items for my friends and family. I give them gifts because I'd like to share my world of happiness with them. I try to make sure I give things that people can use, even if it means a gift certificate. Food was the predominant gift this year. (As far as I can tell, Santa belongs to everyone. LOL.)

I send out Bodhiday cards that say I hope they find more happiness (with images of stars, hearts, leaves, figs and lotus flowers on them.) I usually send out a recipe or two with them (sometimes with a photo of a certain Bunny or Cat as well.)

Oh, and of course, I bake cookies. *(Recipe coming soon!)

I encourage all of my friends and family to shop online, in order to save them from the headache that is Consumerism this time of year -- that's my piece of holiday well-wishing to everyone -- use the internet and get out of the rush rush rush mindset if you want to purchase gifts!

Merry Bodhiday!