Kicking it with Q – Episode 3 – Food for Thought: Valentines Day
Goodbye 2010s, Hello 2020.
A Look Back at the Highlights of the Decade.
The beginning of a new decade is almost upon us. With 2020 bringing many new changes, it gives us a chance to look back at some highlights the past decade has brought. From new trends to new technology and innovations in society, the 2010s have brought many advancements.
Movements
Memes
Technology
Fashion
Iceland: Reykjavik & the Northern Lights 2018
This once-in-a-lifetime travel opportunity is happening November 10-15, 2018!
Because space is limited and we are expecting the trip to fill, we are offering employees, family and friends an exclusive early booking January 18 -February 1, 2018. If you book your trip within these dates you will receive a $100 discount.
For complete tour information including itinerary, prices and booking, please go to our tour website at:
http://icelandwithpiercecollege.grouptoursite.com/
For telephone inquiries please call 800-597-0350.
Start planning your dream trip today and spread the word to your family and friends!
Thanksgiving is an American holiday
Not everyone sees the holiday as something to celebrate
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
Why does this holiday exist?
Fun Holidays in October
Learn sage wisdom about Buddha
Celebrate Buddha’s birthday by learning his history
Sean Hobbs Staff Writer
This coming Tuesday on May 6th is the birthday of Gautama Buddha, whose teachings were the foundation for Buddhism. While only 1 percent of Washington State residents identify as Buddhist, the date still holds significance for around 60,000 residents, including students of Pierce.
Siddhartha Gautama, usually referred to as Gautama Buddha, was a sage born between 563 BCE and 483 BCE. Born the prince of Kapilavastu, he abandoned his title to become an ascetic, or one that gives up worldly pleasures for spiritual gain.
He traveled for some time with four others like him, abandoning the traditional path of enlightenment to take the middle path: a place between self-indulgence and self-mortification. Vowing not to move until he obtained enlightenment, he sat under a pipal tree for 49 days before he reportedly did so.
Gautama spent the next 45 years of his life teaching what he knew of enlightenment and how to obtain it.
Many non-Buddhists picture Buddha as a gold-colored statue of a portly man with a wide grin, but this is not Buddha at all. Instead this is Budai Luohan, a Chinese folkloric deity. Accurate statues of Gautama Buddha depict him as a smaller, much thinner man, given his propensity for self-starvation.
Celebrated on the 8th day of the fourth month, Buddha’s birthday is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. As such, it changes dates in the Gregorian calendar every year to match up with the lunar calendar. Some in the United States celebrate his birthday on April 8th, as it is the eighth day of the fourth month of the Gregorian calendar, but this is less traditional.
The date is celebrated different ways in different countries. Nepal has quiet celebrations, generally consisting of a longer service and the serving of a sweet rice porridge called Kheer.
While adherents in Japan celebrate with a “flower festival” in which they pour special drinks on statues of Buddha, those in Korea hold lantern festivals and serve bibimbap.
In the United States, celebrations are equally as quiet and respectful, in representation of the teachings of Gautama Buddha. Lengthened services, meditation, and spiritual hiking are not uncommon.
Anyone interested in celebrating Buddha’s birthday or learning more about Buddhism can try the Pierce Library, search online or buddhanet.net, or go to the Tacoma Buddhist Temple at 1717 South Fawcett Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98402.
