Reflections on Vesak (May 2026)

Vesak Celebration – The Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment, and Final Nirvana

Buddhism for All: The Joyful Path

Vesak Month 2026: A Month-Long Celebration of the Buddha | Buddhism.net One day isn’t enough to honor the Enlightened One. While Vesak Day falls on May 31, 2026 [the second full moon of the month on the Gregorian calendar], we’re celebrating at Buddhism.net all month long, with five special episodes of "Vibe with Venerables." Join our global community throughout May to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, great enlightenment, and final nirvana, featuring five special "Vibe with Venerables" episodes. Three leading Buddhist masters -- Bhante Buddharakkhita (Theravada), Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche (Vajrayana), and Roshi Joan Halifax (Zen) -- will host sessions on the Buddha, alongside two joint sessions with Pali canon sutra experts Bhante Sujato and Venerable Canda. Register

• Vesak celebrations across North America (North American Buddhist Alliance)

Mahamevnawa Meditation

Vesak (Mahamevnawa Meditation Center, North of England) Namo Buddhaya! Commemorating the sacred threefold anniversary of our Great Teacher, the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, Liverpool, proudly presents a Glorious Vesak Festival 2026 for the 4th consecutive year. We warmly invite all to witness the splendor of Vesak and gather merit. The festival will be held with great devotion at the Liverpool Mahamevnawa Monastery premises on: May 15, 16, and 17, 2026.

(Buddha Lotus Mantra [AI slop]) Robotic dreams of Vesak

Get ready for change! The Vesak (Wesak) Full Moon Festival of Lights 2026 ignites

(WTC) As we are now experiencing the Full Moon of Scorpio on May 1, 2026, it brings with it the ability to step into a transformative energy that allows us to expand more deeply into a new phase of a divine plan. Self comes into focus.

This means that the alignment of Cosmic energies are opening up so that each individual can enter more deeply into the shadow of self and allow for deeper healing to occur within the body's full system (physical-etheric-emotional-mental).

While that may seem like so much “esoteric verbiage,” it carries with it a very real-world shift in what is occurring in terms of our spiritual potential.

The moon in Scorpio can be intensely emotionally challenging each year, as it is a time of deep reflection that allows for an opening of the subconscious mind into a state of purity. This is a rare occasion for humanity to allow for reflection. Doing so can cause emotional upheavals and challenges to occur.

For most of us it is difficult to realize that there are elements in our reality that no longer are working... More: walkingterrachrista.com

• Vesak - Hindu American Foundation
• NWDA Programs: Northwest Dharma Association

Friday 13th? Remove 13, ruin calendar

• Tartaria and the number 13 were purposely erased
• Friday the 13th: curse, coincidence, or cultural myth? Let's dig into the legend of Friday the 13th. Where did this fake superstition start? Why do buildings skip the 13th floor? Why do millions still change their plans on this date? From the Knights Templar to Hollywood horror films, let's break down the history, psychology, and alleged strange events tied to the most feared day on the calendar.

(Tartaria Vault) Why the Powers That Be made "13" (thirteen) a forbidden number

Earth's calendar timekeeper, the Moon (Luna, Soma, Chandra) over Los Angeles

It's Native American Heritage Month

Native Americans dancing used to be so beautiful in full regalia. Now we party nearly naked:

.

White Indigenous tribes of Scandinavia (Sami)

Tell us more about Native American Heritage Month. National Native American Heritage Month celebrates the culture, contributions, and heritage of Indigenous populations called Native Americans or American-Indians.

In 1990 Pres. George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.”

Decolonize Your Diet (vegan recipes)

Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.

This month is a time to educate the public about Native American tribes, raise a general awareness about the unique challenges the Indigenous (First Nations) have faced, and to illuminate the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

• Native American Heritage Month – LA County Library

Native American Food Sovereignty

Progressive plant based Native eating

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, join the Los Angeles County Public Library in highlighting how Native communities are taking control over their food sources and production by revitalizing traditional, healthy [predominantly vegan], and localized food sources.

In this hands-on workshop, learn how to start a Salvia columbariae plant and explore its cultural uses among various Native groups. This event has multiple dates and locations throughout November. View events list below to find the program at the nearest location.

• Native American Food Sovereignty (LACL)

The Americas are home to many tribes

Tongva (Kizh) Cultural Classes

Main Altadena Library, burn scar, Los Angeles County

Altadena Library District

On Nov. 1st, 2025, we learned to make Cloth Medicine Bags with Councilwoman Neminski and Councilwoman Murillo of the Gabrielino/Tongva (Kizh) Nation, who taught the workshop for ages 10 and up.

Beaded Wire Wrap Bracelets Workshop

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2:00-4:00 pm: Councilwomen of the Gabrielino/Tongva (Kizh) Nation teach class for ages 8 and up.

Pine Needle Basket Medallion

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2:00-4:00 pm: Councilwomen teach class for ages 8 and up.

• Native American History Month Discussion, Thursday, November 20, 2025, 1:30 - 2:30pm - Programs — Altadena Library District

Hollywood's Halloween vs. Irish Samhain

University of Edinburgh, Oct. 31, 2016

Samhain (SOW-in) or Sauin is a Gaelic festival in Ireland that falls on the Mexican Day of the Dead, Nov. 1st, marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year [1].

It is also the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for November. Celebrations begin on Halloween, the evening of October 31st, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset [1].

Let's go apologize to the witches in Salem, MA

(History on Maps) History of [Christian/Celtic] Halloween (animation)

Hollow weenie "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" - Dr. Seuss

Keith David, "Oogie Boogie," live for 2025 at the Hollywood Bowl

Richard Darbois, Henri Poirier: Le Boogie Blues ("L'Étrange Noël de Jack")

"This is Halloween," Danny Elfman (metal cover by Clint Robinson)

(Rain Paris) "This is Halloween" rock cover

The seasons and festivals of Ireland

This is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa.

Historically it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Its Brittonic Celtic equivalent is Calan Gaeaf in Wales. More

The Citizens of Halloween: "This is Halloween" (from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas")

• Jack nabs Santa | Nightmare Before Xmas | Disney Kids

(DisneyMusicVEVO) Oct. 14, 2021: Stream “Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Disney+, the only place to stream favorites from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more [because there's absolutely nowhere else to stream. All hail the Disney Corporation!]

(BbaGumpSkrimp) The Making of The Nightmare Before Christmas

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

It was a time of innocent childishness and evil.

Remember waiting all October for Linus to see the Great Pumpkin? This Halloween classic wasn’t just wholesome—it changed American (and Canadian) TV forever. From hidden gags to production secrets and the real reason it almost got banned, here are 10 wild facts about It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! most people didn’t know. Relive the magic of a simpler time. More

Disney Halloweens used to be easy: skeletons

(Lyric Noel) "This is Halloween" (female metal cover)

• Gho$temane; The Vintage Vault (1966); Tim Burton, Danny Elfman, Disney; Holiday History; BbaGumpSkrimp; Ghostemane; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Epstein-Trump 'friendship' statue pulled

I know it looks like we molested these girls, but it was only him, Jeffrey, and never me (WJ)

Jeff & Me: The Perverts' Friendship Monument on National Square for Friendship Month 2025

Trump-Epstein 'friendship' statue removed from National Mall in DC one day after it was erected

Benny Johnson (R) shows Jeff Epstein on left

(WUSA) Sept. 24, 2025: A statue of convicted child molester, rapist, and child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and Donald John Trump was removed from the Washington, D.C. National Mall by U.S. Park Police, despite a permit allowing it to remain until Sept. 28th, 2025.

Trump: stop fixating on my Epstein Files (Fox)

[Why? Free speech cannot say the king has no clothes. And it sure can't say or even begin to suggest that Donald Trump is a serial child molester, child sex trafficker, or unindicted co-conspirator to Epstein, Maxwell, the Mossad, or whoever was involved with support, funding, or employing Pedo Island, where Epstein still lives, as shown on recent drone footage that caught him outside lounging around talking to one of the island's many employees before he notice the drone and raced away, dodging inside never to emerge again. Busted.]

Republicans fixated on Epstein [Files] are getting 'duped' by Democrats, Trump insists

Trump declares Epstein case is Democrats' new 'hoax' to distract from administration's success.

Reported by Danielle Wallace | Fox News

(FOX News) [Fearless Leader and Indomitable Spirit, Commander-in-Chief and De facto King] President Donald "John" Trump said Wednesday that [right wing] Republicans fixated on [Trump best friend and convicted child sex trafficker and molester] Jeffrey Epstein are getting "duped" by Democrats, further defending [his handpicked] Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of the case. During an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince and prime minister of Bahrain, Trump said his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, reversed his first-term energy policies, leading to higher inflation. More

AAPI Heritage Month w/ Ronny Chieng

• Ronny Chieng Celebrates Asian Trailblazers for AAPI Heritage Month | The Daily Show
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Ronny Chieng, The Daily Show, 5/29/25; CC Liu, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly 

The Girl Samurai Master: Sasaki Rui

The story of 17th century swordswoman Rui-San

Kabukimono ancient cross dresser

Real-life samurai Sasaki Rui (佐々木 累), or Rui-San, was a Japanese swordswoman, Onna-musha and kenjutsu expert of the early Edo period (mid-17th century). She was known as the "Strangely Dressed Female Sword Master" [1, 2, 3].

Life of Sasaki Rui

Sasaki was born in Koga domain, located in Shimōsa province (modern-day Koga, Ibaraki), exact birthdate unknown. Her father Sasaki Uōto was a member of a clan of kenjutsu masters in service to Doi Toshikatsu and was thoroughly versed in the martial arts.

Samurai attacking on horseback (LACMA)

Crouch Tiger, Hide Dragon: Jen vs. Shu Lien sword fight (Michelle Yeoh)

Ancient samurai in his armor, 1860s

Since Rui-San had no brothers and her attempts to take a husband ended in divorce, upon her father's death from illness the Sasaki clan name became extinct [1, 2, 3].

Rui-San went to Edo, where she rented a house in present-day Asakusa and began teaching the martial arts.

At the same time that her teaching was becoming well-known, she began to be famous for her unusual dress:

Haori crepe formal Japanese jacket

She would leave the house wearing a black silk crepe haori (a man's garment at the time) emblazoned with the Sasaki family crest, her hair done up in an indoor style with hairpins, and wearing the samurai's long and short swords [1, 2, 3].

At that time, the ruffians known as kabukimono or hatamoto yakko were running rampant in Edo, and Rui-San began fighting with the "Shiroe" gang, among other groups [1, 2]. More

• Samurai women?

What was their religion?

Various samurai clans struggled for power during the Kamakura shogunate. Zen Buddhism spread among the samurai in the 13th century and helped shape their standards of conduct, particularly in overcoming the fear of death and [the wrongdoing of] killing. Among the general populace devotional Pure Land Buddhism was favored however. More

Marriage?

Samurai with wives and concubines, 1804

Samurai had arranged marriages, which were engineered by a go-between of the same or higher rank. While for those samurai in the upper ranks this was a necessity (as most had few opportunities to ever meet women), this was a formality for lower-ranked samurai.

Most samurai married women from a samurai family, but for lower-ranked samurai, marriages with commoners were permitted. In these marriages a dowry was brought by the woman and was used to set up the couple's new household.

A samurai could take concubines, but their backgrounds were checked by higher-ranked samurai. In many cases, taking a concubine was akin to a marriage. Kidnapping a concubine, although common in fiction, would have been shameful, if not criminal. More

How to stay calm in any confrontation

(Statue of Wisdom) Secrets to win: How to stay calm in any confrontation (Miyamoto Musashi)

• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Rui-San (video); CC Liu, Ashley Wells, Pfc. Sandoval (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Holy Ramadan, month of Fasts/Feasts

Beauty bound in a burka? Free in hijab (dreamstime.com)

Hey, don't you mean FASTING? Yes, but David Wood (below) assures us it's actually FEASTING that will be happening all of this Muslim-month, with lots of sleep and deluded back-patting of how "pious" and "holy" we're being in observance of sacred traditions.

The many benefits of fasting

The same happens in Buddhism, where monastics observe a daily "fast" (not eating after noon or before dawn) but may overeat the rest of the time, often developing diabetes, cholesterol problems, and all kinds of diseases of modernity as a consequence. Saudi Arabia has many people suffering from overeating, not starvation, during the Ramadan "fast."

It seems even more ridiculous in Holy Roman Catholicism, at least the American version, where asking good Catholics to "fast" -- abstain from eating dead animals in the form of "meat" -- was just too much to ask. Forty days without dead fish? How is McDonald's supposed to make money? (Are fish animals? We thought they were).

Eat all the seed-bearing plants and fruit in the world, which the good God hath made: Genesis 1:29 quotes the God as saying, "Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. But that's not good enough. We need to kill animals, or pay people to kill them for us, even during Lent, a 40-day period of abstaining and austerity, abandoning all kinds of bad habits. Does Protestantism advocate fasting? Sort of.

Bhagavan Bhakthi (Hinduism devotion)

Maha Shivratri – celebrated in February/March, the Great Honoring of the Trinity Component God Shiva is a solemn Hindu festival that occurs towards the end of winter, before the spring. It is marked with rituals such as fasting (vrata) and meditation (dhāraṇā and dhyana). The holiday occurs on the last night of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Phalguna or Magha. What do Hindus consider "fasting"? Six important fasts or vrats Hindus should keep and why

• Different types of fasts performed by Hindus (ServDharm)

What is Ramadan? The Islamic Holy Month - Behind the News

• Fast fast (take nothing but air)
• Water fast (just drink lots of water)
• Juice fast (just take fresh juices, but be careful of the natural sugar content separated from its healthy fiber)
• Fast all day (24 hours)
• Fast part of the day (from 12 noon to about 6:00 am)
• Fast all night (like when sleeping, avoiding after dinner snacks)
• Fast part of the night (like during Ramadan, after the giant feast dinner, staying up all night to digest before ruining that digestion with a big breakfast, before the recovery-sleep done all of the rest of the day)
• Food? Give it a rest and clean house, as fasting allows the body to clean itself like a self-cleaning oven, the energy-consuming organs of digestion.
• All forms of fasting are good for the body, if undertaken correctly. It may seem scary because we overeat and are sugar addicts with diabetes, prediabetes, and all sorts of metabolic syndrome conditions, which fasting would eventually clear
• Who's healthier and more alive than someone trapped for a time without food, finding all the senses heightened and fully alert?

Ramazan begins with crescent moon, how official start time can still vary around the world

(WION) Ramazan (aka Ramadan), the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is one of the holiest periods for Muslims around the world. In 2025, the world's Muslim community anticipates a rare alignment in the moon sighting for the beginning of Ramadan. Watch to know more. #Eid #Ramadan #worldnews

Fasting, the Islamic way: FEASTing

The REAL Ramadan rules we never knew existed

(Acts 17 Polemics) #Ramadan is typically described as a month-long "fast" (period of not eating). Yet, the entire month is filled with "feasting" (periods of eating).

Indeed, binge eating during Ramadan is causing a health crisis in Muslim countries. So why is gluttony and excess portrayed as strict discipline and self-control in Islam?

Is there a spiritual component to Ramadan? Christian critic David Wood explores the issue and uncovers the disturbing truth about Islam's holiest month.

Articles cited:

• "Not so fast: Ramadan sees rise in binge eating and A&E cases": cnn.com/2013/08/07/world...
• "The Economic Impact of Ramadan on the Food Sector": hlb.global/the-economic-i...
• "The puzzle of self-reported weight gain in a month of fasting (Ramadan) among a cohort of Saudi families in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia": ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

How dare you question us, you infidel!

The REAL reason Christian ex-con David Wood is so harsh on Islam

Join the channel to get access to perks: @acts17polemics. Love to attend a Christian apologetics, polemics, and evangelism training event in person or even just streamed online, make sure to get FREE tickets NOW for the Ministry to Muslims event coming to Ohio this August. Tickets can be reserved for those just "interested" but also those able to make it in person "all-access" or "online-only." Please sign up now. ⇨ seekandsharetruth.eventbrite.... ⇦ 🔔 Please help support these additional channels by following: ‪@YourBrotherInChrist‬ ‪@ElleISOElohim‬ ‪@apologeticsroadshow‬ ‪@PhilosophyUnderground‬ 😊Thanks for donations: acts17apologetics https://www.buymeacoffee.com/YBIC, elleisoelohim

⚠️ MUSLIMS BEWARE ⚠️ Ramadan [as celebrated nowadays] defies Islam!

UPCOMING: Muslims vs. the Bible: Can YOU prove it's corrupt? ▶ youtube.com/live/L_LNWKHJX

• WION, Feb. 28, 2025: Behind the News; Acts 17 Polemics) March 22, 2023; Eds., Wisdom Quarterly

Comedy 'racism' (Black History Month)

Chris Rock: Who's got it worse? Indians Who wants to change places? | HBO

Fighting stereotypes: hilarious take on race and combat #comedyshorts #standup #fightingstyle

• TRIGGER WARNING: Profanity! Candid discussion of race relations, gender! Hitler being funny! Stand-up comedians on the razor's edge of cancel culture! Adult themes!

Proud Asian | Jimmy O. Yang | Comedy Time

(Comedy Time) Feb. 21, 2025: Jimmy O. Yang jokes about race, smooth Black guys, being a scrawny Asian, family troubles, and hollering (or trying to holler) at pretty women. #standup #comedy #relatable #asian.

"Getting called a [racial] slur" 🎤: Shapel Lacey | see video on channel

Dave Chappelle: the police and his white friend while getting high

Will only Asians laugh? | Pauline Yasuda | Laugh After Dark Stand Up

The implicit white privilege of politically incorrect genius George Carlin

George Costanza (Jason Alexander) on SNL with his new Black friends

Dave Chappelle goes too far using the N-word - Mexican/Black race relations in Los Angeles

ABOUT: Welcome to Comedy Time, the ultimate destination for laughter on YouTube. Indulge in the best stand-up performances from beloved comedians, delivering uproarious jokes and side-splitting humor. Featuring comedians that have been featured on Saturday Night Live, HBO, Netflix, Showtime, The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and more. 0

Happy Black Lives Matter Day (2/26) Holocaust was greatest atrocity on film; ours was not filmed

This channel is a treasure trove of funny videos, featuring the most hilarious clips one is ever to come across. Dive into a diverse collection that spans various walks of life, embracing different lifestyles, cultures, religions, and more. Comedy Time caters to all comedy cravings, ensuring a rich tapestry of comedic experiences that resonate with everyone (and AI-enhanced descriptions). With daily updates, CT guarantees a constant supply of fresh laughs. Make it a habit to check back every day for a daily dose of amusement.

Don't miss out on becoming part of America's biggest Comedy Network; subscribe now for endless entertainment and join the laughter revolution at Comedy Time YouTube channel:

• Comedy Time
• Other network channels:
• Chick Comedy
• Comedy Culture
• Comedy Caliente
• Booty Bites
• Quick Laffs
• Facebook: comedytimetv
• Twitter: comedytime
• Official website: comedytime.com
• Chris Rock talks racism and double standards

• Adolf Hitler standup; Comedian Isiah Kelly - Chocolate Sundaes Standup Comedy; Chris Rock; Jewish Jason Alexander; Seth Auberon, Ashley Wells, Pfc. Sandoval, CC Liu, Sheldon S. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly