This article is adapted from the leaflet, The Buddhist Holidays, written by Rev Takashi Tsuji and published by the Buddhist Churches of America. We offer our grateful thanks for permission to reprint.

Most of the ceremonies are celebrated in temples, which tend to get large congregations on those days. The following adaptation bears in mind the special needs of PLBF members, who mostly have to celebrate these festivals at home and on their own.

The Buddhist life is a life of Oneness with Amida Buddha. Shinran Shonin says in the Tannisho: When we have faith... we receive Amida's favour, whereby he will ever embrace us in his eternal light and never cast us away. Every day we are surrounded with Ainida's light of Wisdom and Compassion. When we become aware of this light, every day is a holy day and there is no need to designate special holidays. However, the observance of a religious holiday sharply focuses our attention on some historic even or an important Buddhist practice and deepens our appreciation of our rich heritage.

January 1st - New Year's Day. (Shusho E)
This is a day of dedication. With renewed resolution we dedicate ourselves to the way of the Nembutsu.

January 16th - Shinran Shonin Memorial Day (Ho-on-ko)
Ho-an-ko, meaning a gathering to express our gratitude, is a service in memory of Shinran Shonin. In the Ho-on-ky Gatha, it says: If your teachings were unknown We would still be wandering on the path of eternal darkness, Because of your lifelong devotion to the teachings of the Nembutsu, We are now able to know Amida 's Compassion. A deep joy wells up in our hearts And happiness flows into the depths of our beings; Even though our bodies be crushed and our bones be broken, 0, how can we forget our gratitude to you.

February 15th - Death of the Buddha - (Nirvana Day; Nehan E)
On this day we observe the passing of Shakyaniuni Buddha into Parinirvana. Although he attained enlightenment and became a Buddha, he was still in his earthly form. This form, being subject to birth and death, had to perish, but his teaching embodying the spirit of Buddhahood is eternal.

March 21st - Spring Equinox (Higan E)
Higan is a service performed at the Spring Equinox, when the weather is supposed to be neither too warm not too cold, and the days and nights are of equal length. It is said that Harmony pervades the Universe at this time. Therefore, before the sacred shrine of Amida we meditate on this harmony within nature, and seek to realise it in our own lives.

April 8th - Buddha Day (Hanamatsuri)
This day commemorates the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha in Luinbini Garden. It is a festival of flowers. Traditionally, during the service on this day, a flower shrine is set up with an image of the baby Buddha. The congregation offer flowers, and pour sweet tea over the image. This symbolises the ancient legend that on the birth of the Buddha, the universe was filled with joyful music, flowers bloomed in full glory, and sweet rain fell from heaven.

May 21st - Shinran Shonin's Birthday (Shuso Gotan E)
Shinran Shonin was born near Kyoto on May 21st 1173. This day celebrates his birth. July 15th - Bon This Summer festival is an occasion for rejoicing in the enlightenment offered by the Buddha. It is often referred to as a "Gathering of Joy".

September 23rd - Autumn Equinox (Higan E)
It has been a long Buddhist tradition to celebrate the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes. In the Autumn the tradition is to remember the Six Perfections; Giving, Behaviour, Endurance, Endeavour, Meditation and Wisdom, and to resolve - with the Buddha's help - to put them into practice.

December 8th - Bodhi Day (Jodo E)
This festival celebrates the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Buddha under the Bodhi Tree. We remember his great example, and the teachings that he revealed which will enable all beings to achieve a similar state of supreme Wisdom and Compassion.

December 31st -New Year's Eve (Joya E)
On New Years Eve we meditate on the countless blessings that we have received during the year, and express our gratitude to Amida Buddha, and to our parents, our friends, the Sangha, and all beings.

In addition to these traditional Jodoshinshu holidays, the PLBF has a tradition of celebrating Kwan Yin (Kannon)'s birthday. Kwan Yin is the Bodhisattva of Universal Compassion who appears in female form, but but is also said to appear in whatever form is needed to save suffering beings. Her birthday is traditionally celebrated on the 19th day of the 2nd month of the lunar calendar, and her enlightenment on the 16th day of the 6th month of the lunar calendar. However, as this is complicated, we have tended to celebrate them on the 19th February and the 16th June.

PLBF members usually celebrate Wesak with other Buddhists, and are free to celebrate other non-Buddhist festivals such as Christmas and Easter with their families.