Spring is a time for many religious celebrations and festivals. A sampling includes:
- Buddhist Theravada New Year — The beginning of a new year is, generally, a time for “taking stock” of one’s karma, cleansing, and well-wishing.
- Baha’i Ridvan-first day — The start of a 12 day festival to celebrate the day when Baha’u’llah said that he was the prophet predicted by the Bab.
- Islam Milad an-Nabi — sometimes happens in March. The remembrance of the Prophet Mohammad’s birthday is seen by some Muslims as a “good innovation” and time to read the Qur’an, and remember the life, teachings, and example of the Prophet
- Hindu Holi festival marks the arrival of Spring, the season of hope and joy.
- Jewish Passover commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt and is the most widely observed Jewish practice today.
- Sikh Vaisakhi is the harvest festival giving people the opportunity to thank Mother Nature for ensuring a good crop for the season.
- Pagan Spring Equinox celebrates the renewed life of the Earth that comes with the Spring
- Christian Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ — his return from death after the Crucifixion.
- Interfaith Calendar http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/tools/calendar/
Since so many of us are going to be celebrating this time of year anyway, why don’t we do some of it together? Even though we may worship in different ways, it would be refreshing and fun to share a Spring Dinner that celebrates the Oneness or Interconnection we all share.
Our interconnection is reflected in many of our religious beliefs. For instance: Christians, Muslims and Jews believe we are all made in the image of God/Allah. Hinduism teaches we are each a spark of the Eternal Flame. The most important teaching of Buddha is the universal compassion for everyone and everything. Native Americans believe one Spirit animates everything. Unity teaches there is a Divine Spark in everyone. Quakers believe we all share the Light. Spiritualists believe in the Universal Flow of Energy that connects us all. Goddess culture teaches everything from the rocks to the plants to people is connected by the Goddess energy. Secularists may believe all life springs from the Big Bang or that we all are part of the communal good.
If we were to do this Spring Dinner in the style of Operation Bon Appétit, we’d be planning not only a menu but also a tablescape and conversational questions to enlighten and/or engage us in strengthening our connection.
The Tablescape sets the intention for the conversation and fits the theme of the Dinner Party. A possible tablescape could be composed of religious artifacts brought by each guest or an arrangement of Spring fruits, vegetables and flowers. If doing the latter, please use local produce and flowers. If flowers have not yet bloomed, buy or order flowers from someplace like Organic Bouquet www.organicbouquet.com which offers Veriflora certified flowers—fair wages for workers, no dyes and organically grown.
A fun menu can consist of dishes from each of the festivals represented by the guests. My sample menu is:
Soup
- Buddhist Tofu Soup
- Borsht with Horseradish/Nondairy Sour Cream (Jewish)
Main Dish
- Chicken Marsala (Hindu)
- Bean Salad (Islam)
Dessert
- Spicy Pears and Pomegranates (Baha’i)
- Coconut Ladoo (Sikh)
Conversational Questions:
- What is one significant belief that you would like others in the group to know about your religious or secular philosophy?
- The “quest for good heart” means going deeply into your own heart and opening it to others. How have your spiritual traditions aided you or sustained your effort to open your heart to others?
- Please share how your religion or secular belief that helps you hold your higher purpose/ideals at the forefront of your mind, life or actions.
- Is there a song, dance or activity from your Spring festival that you would like to share with the group?
For example, as someone who attends family Easter Brunches with Easter Egg Hunts for the kids, I would share the following story in response to the last question:
My son-in-law John Haile grew tired of my complaints about the competitive Easter Egg Hunts so he came up with a creative solution that emphasizes cooperation. Each child picks his or her favorite color from a selection of the plastic egg colors (the eggs are recycled each year) being hidden. Then they go hunting for their eggs and pick up only those of their chosen color. Of course, each color has the same amount of eggs hidden. Here is what happens. The kids get to enjoy the thrill of seeking their eggs and when they get their baskets filled, they offer to help their friends whose eggs are still eluding him or her. Inside the eggs are surprise gifts including fair trade chocolates.
Closing Dinner Toast or Activity: You may choose to sing a song together that emphasizes your interconnection or a toast like: Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.– Albert Einstein
RECIPES
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