Thursday, December 10, 2015

Saraswati and Buddha's Englightenment

Sorry Buddha, forgot your enlightenment day - according to the Japanese Zen tradition anyway. It was two days ago Dec. 8th. That's celebrated in May in Indonesia.

Didn't mention Saraswati either, described on this Bali Events Calendar thus: Hari Raya Saraswati, Saraswati day itself is celebrated by the Balinese people bringing offerings to their holy books and scrolls in their houses, while students celebrate it at school, usually in the morning, and the office-workers in their office. The philosophy of Saraswati day is that the most important thing for human life is knowledge.

Saraswati is a Hindu goddess pictured to the left. People were dressed traditionally and there were lots of ceremonies going on. We were at Buitan Bay and Kelly and I saw lots of folks at sunrise with their kids on the beach the next morning purifying themselves in the water.