All religions have rituals associated with the arrival of a new season. For Christians, Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus and the rejuvenation this event brought to the world. Passover is observed in Judaism in the spring, though the message of the holiday is somewhat more somber than many other spring rituals. No matter what belief system you follow, it can be pleasant to take time to observe certain rites associated with the rebirth of the new season. When the world is in bloom, you might want to pause and feel spring’s renewal.
Buddhism is a religion practiced in a multitude of ways across the world. Many, however, follow very loose rules when it comes to observing holidays. A good portion of the world’s Buddhists hold very personal beliefs in regards to ritual. If you are looking for ways to observe the arrival of spring, you might find inspiration in some of the actions taken by Buddhists.
Rebirth
Though Buddhism is practiced in different ways, there are some strong similarities between almost all of the varying philosophies. Rebirth, for example, is a core theme of a vast majority of Buddhist teachings. In the cosmic scheme of things, the idea of reincarnation plays heavily into Buddhism and the way many followers live their lives. One is likely to be reincarnated as anything, depending on the types of actions he or she committed in previous lives. To ascend, one must be adept at letting go and giving into the natural rhythms of each rebirth.
On a less cosmic scale, rebirth happens all the time for people. Scientifically speaking, the cells in your body completely regenerate roughly every seven years. This means you’re kind of a brand-new person in regards to who you were a year ago…at least on a molecular level. To appreciate the coming of spring, you might want to spend time observing your past and taking stock of the traits you’d like to leave behind and the ones you would like to hone. By using the spring as a time to refresh yourself, you can welcome it in a healthy manner.
Constant Cycles
Cycles are another important aspect of Buddhist teachings. A person goes through cycles just as the seasons go through cycles and just as each day lived occurs in a cycle of 24 hours. By focusing on all of the cycles you live through in a given period, you can learn to appreciate the ebb and flow of your own life. How does your daily routine in May differ from the one you have in December? Your ritual might seem similar, but the cycle you are in changes in the minute details. Consider this food for thought: Sunrise and sunset are similar, not identical.
Take the above quote to mean what you will. The general idea is that everything serves a different purpose no matter how similar it might appear. Knowing the difference between sunrise and sunset, for example, helps you to get a sense of what is ahead. Observing your own rituals in the spring can help you to pinpoint where you are serving the season best and where you can use a bit of improvement in welcoming the time of rejuvenation in front of you.
Find the Living Symbol
Spring is packed with symbolism of life: Barren trees are blooming, birds and bees are going through mating rituals, and the cold days of the past are slowly becoming distant memories. If you’re having difficulty slowing down to appreciate the world, force yourself to notice small details around you. A blade of grass growing between cracks in the sidewalk or an ant carrying a large crumb might serve you well in acting as living symbols of inspiration.
Appreciating the spring can take many forms. Whether you are a Buddhist, Christian, or don’t particularly follow any religion, you can easily learn to use the shifting seasons as a way to refresh your spirit and approach tomorrow with confidence.