[Buddha-l] today is Guru Purnima (well tomorrow, 18th July)--full moon of Ashadh (Jul-Aug)

[jkirk]

Since Curt has broached some Hindu inclinations, and this is a
Hindu day-- altho in Nepal it's also a Newari Buddhist sacred
day-- let us remember our gurus with gratitude for their
teachings, recollecting their teachings, and thinking them over.
 
"Significance of Guru Purnima
On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa
in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a
'puja' of their respective spiritual preceptors or 'Gurudevs'. 

This day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds
the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool
showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to
begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers
commence to intensify their spiritual 'sadhana' from this day. 

The period 'Chaturmas' ("four months") begins from the 17th. In
the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to
settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma
Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic
discussions." (from  Hindu website)

Buddhist "Lent" must have been based on chaturmasa. 

 
Joanna