Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, author of What Buddhists Believe writes, these,
"...provide psychological help to some people..."
but eventually they should not be relied upon for
"...one's spiritual development or mental purity..." (Page 291).
Sri Dhammananda comments that at some festivals celebrators often get out of hand due to the influence of liquor causing loss of inhibitions and serious deviation from Buddhist teachings. There is little to no self-control or suppression of human desires.
The author does relent some, saying that one need not throw away all traditions or customs. Examine if they will still line-up with ones' teachings and,
"...if they are reasonable and conducive both to your happiness and to the welfare of others, only then should you accept and practice these traditions and customs" (Page 290).
True enough. I've read of Christian missionaries, who've gone to their respective mission fields, who tried to minister from a 'localized' perspective. Hudson Taylor donned Chinese dress and wore his hair in a queue. Lottie Moon, missionary, also to China, strongly believed in adapting to Chinese ways. Adoniram Judson, missionary to the Burmese, preached in a 'zakit' (Burmese community hall) instead of in churches as he felt the people were more comfortable there.
No doubt there are numerous other examples of methods of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth as there are cultures.
As I grew up, my family, although devout followers of Jesus Christ, never celebrated Christmas nor Easter. These festive occasions sprang out of Emperor Constantine wanting to please Christians and pagans alike and so allowed them a holiday as close to the pagan one as he could...so we were told.
My father declared, therefore, that Christmas and Easter were pagan holidays and not to be celebrated by Christians, especially not by him and his family. Besides that, he reasoned, the Bible never asks us to celebrate those events.
That upbringing was difficult to overcome. However, the culture in the region I've been spending my married life has allowed me to see a different perspective.
Churches use the opportunity to share the message of the love of God and His Son Jesus. A more receptive time to proclaim the message of Jesus and salvation through Him. Jesus is that good and perfect gift from God our heavenly Father. Celebrating Jesus's birth and life is okay.
But to not cater to the rampant greed that is apparent in much of the Christmas "spirit" in shopping and wondering what I'm going to get as a Christmas present, avoiding the Christmas materialistic rush, is good sound sense.
'Festivals' such as Christmas and Easter are times of joy and make us followers of Jesus Christ glad to belong to Him, yet we do not need them to have the joy of the Lord. When we belong to Him we can be glad everyday and share with others this gladness of heart and mind we have through Him.
Romans 14: 5-9 ESV, especially verse 5, moderates this so as not to become legalistic one way or another...
"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind..."
Whatever followers of Jesus Christ celebrate, whether the birth, and/or the death and resurrection of Jesus, let it be known that Jesus is the most wonderful and important gift that God sent to His human creatures. He is difficult to NOT celebrate, praise, worship, live for and serve all year round.
Will you join the ranks of followers of Jesus Christ and live for His glory and honor?
Great is the Lord, greatly to be praised.
~ERC August 2018~
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