Happy Raksha Bandhan and Amitabha Buddha Day – August 2, 2012

This year in 2012, August 2nd is a very special day for Indians and Hindus as it is Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi. August 2nd is also a special day for Tibetan Buddhists as it is Amitabha Buddha day.

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is celebrated by Hindus and Indians all over the world but is most common with Hindus from North India. The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi (holy colored thread) by the sister on her brothers wrist, therefore acquiring the name of brother and sister day. The brother then offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents mitai (sweets) to her brother. The brother and sister traditionally feed one another mitai. Do you think Raksha Bandhan is still relevant in modern society?  There are various tales on how Raksha Bandhan began as a popular Indian festival and celebration.

The main story being from the epic Mahabharat that concerns Krishna and Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas where she had torn a strip of thread/fabric off her sari and tied it around Krishna’s finger to stop the flow of blood. Krishna was so touched by her action that He found himself bound to her by love. He promised to repay the debt and then spent the next 25 years showing devotion. Draupadi, in spite of being married to 5 great warriors and being a daughter of a powerful monarch, trusted and depended wholly on Krishna. There is also much evidence of Raksha Bandhan during the medieval era, around the 15th century, there were many wars between the Rajputs and Muslim invaders.

Amitabha Buddha day is the day Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhists do good deeds and chant the name of Buddha God Amitabha/Omito/Amida to gain entry to His Pure Land and aid in attaining nirvana

The Chakra team wishes everyone a happy Raksha Bandhan and blessings to all brothers and sisters out there. We also would like to greet everyone on Amitabha Buddha day!