Must-See Cultural Festivals in Asia
They have remained an integral part of the Buddhist traditions in these areas, reaching what was perhaps their fullest development in Tibet. Good Friday Every year on Good Friday or the Friday before Easter a dozen or so penitents — mostly men but with the occasional woman — are taken to a rice field in the barrio of San Pedro Cutud, 3km 2 miles from the proper of City of San Fernando, Pampanga and nailed to a cross using two-inch 5 cm stainless steel nails that have been soaked in alcohol to disinfect them. Many other North American-born Buddhists of non-Asian descent have studied in traditional Buddhist countries, become ordained, and returned to the United States to lead and even found monasteries and Buddhist community centres. This popular festival culminates with a clay statue of the Hindu elephant god Ganesh being immersed in water to remove the misfortunes of mankind as the statue dissolves. Most commonly, offerings of thanks were made to local deities in rites that were only externally Buddhist. We hope to update this page with good news in the not too distant future. Jerusalem is packed full, year-round with festivals to intrigue and entice visitors with a wide selection of activities to cater for the eternally curious.
