Origins of Buddhism: India to China

Without remembering our past, we can never clearly step forward while remaining on our path.  

India, who had been practicing Buddhism for over 500 years, brought more than goods to China as they traveled along the silk road. 

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During the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) , enlightened missionaries and hopeful traders were anxious to engage China and then move on to Europe as well.The Indians brought religion or a philosophy as well - specifically Buddhism.

The Han Dynasty was a time of strict Confuscian beliefs.The Han Dynasty did benefit from Confucianism. Because of it, the Han Dynasty improved and established the system of ruling the land by morals and ethics, something that the Qin Dynasty overlooked. The establishment of a Confucian state has helped Han Wudi rule for 54 years, making him one of the longest rulers in China’s history.

Many forms of buddhism had evolved within India, but the one that took hold in China was Mahayana Buddhism. Forms of Mahayana Buddhism include Zen Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism. 

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Mahayana Buddhism played an extensive role in the shaping of Chinese civilization- and as Buddhism spread to China, the Chinese civilization played an extensive role in how Buddhism could be developed and practiced! 

The religion has such an influence in China, large amounts of money and other human resources have been dedicated to the establishment of beautiful and elaborate temples and works of art. Today an estimated 100 million people in China follow Buddhism -- making it the largest religion of China! That's a lot of Buddhists!   

National Day starts China's Second Golden Week from Oct 1- 7

The start of October welcomes a very important week in China, a week filled with excitement and tradition. This week, starting October 1st and ending the 7th, is known as the second of two Golden Weeks. The beginning of this Golden Week is marked with the National Day of the People's Republic of China, which is celebrated October 1st. 

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The purpose of National Day is to acknowledge the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. Despite recent controversies about whether the Golden Week should be kept of not, the tradition lives on and it will continue to be celebrated this 2012. This important holiday is celebrated throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. 

The streets are all a buzz as they are decorated to perfection and filled with people of all ages. An estimated 120 million people flock to China during this week! 

Many festivities come along with the holiday, such as concerts and breath taking fireworks displays. The beginning of Golden Week is officially marked with parades, political rallies, and a flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square. 

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A quarter of a million people travel to be at Tiananmen Square to witness the raising of the flag. This ceremony is representative of when Mao Zedong stood in the square and waved a red flag, officially announcing the new republic 63 years ago. Families show their national pride by decorating their homes with red flags, lights, and posters. This is a very exciting but very chaotic time in China as the people honor and celebrate their country. 

Sept 22 Japan Celebrates Autumnal Equinox

Autumnal Equinox Day is a public holiday in Japan, falling on the date of the Southward equinox in Japan Standard Time. This year the holiday will be celebrated on September 22nd. 

Originally related to Shintoism, the holiday was reconstructed to be a non-religious holiday -- for the sake of the separation of religion and state. 

It was officially declared a public holiday in 1948. In many cultures equinox day simply marks the changing of seasons, but to the Japanese it represents a way to pay respects to parents, grandparents, and other loved ones who have passed. 

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The Japanese refer to this period of time as "higan", meaning "other side of the river". Lasting for seven days, beginning three days before the equinox and ending three days after, higan is a time when the Japanese pray for their ancestors and visit family graves. This tradition has roots deep within the Buddhist tradition. Higan represents a side of the river in which people live, the other side is the realm where the souls who have passed live on.  

The Japanese people pay their respects in various ways, including cleaning the tombstones of their loved ones, offering flowers and food, praying, and burning incense. One of the more popular and traditional foods to offer is ohagi, adzuki-bean paste or soybean flour covered rice. 

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Bon, which occurs in August, is a time in Japanese culture when the souls of their ancestors come to visit them, so it is important to honor them by returning the visit during higan. 

Respect for the Aged Day -- Sept 17

The Japanese people have always been some of the longest living people in the world, so to honor that longevity and the elderly people, Japanese people have a national holiday known as Respect For the Aged Day. 

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Every year this celebration falls on the third Monday of September, this year it is September 17th. The Japanese have traditionally referred to national holidays as "red days" due to the fact that they are marked in red on the Japanese calendars. 

In Japanese culture, the elderly have always had a very important place within society, being viewed as the most wise and knowledgable people. It is for this reason that Respect for the Aged Day, also known as keiro no hi, is a holiday taken very seriously by the people of Japan, young and old. 

Volunteers gather to distribute obento boxed lunches to the elderly people in their neighborhood, grandparents of elderly friends are treated to lunch, tea and sweets after the a special performance, called a keirokai ceremony, is held in their honor. 

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At the keirokai shows children and young people perform special dances and songs dedicated to the elderly people in their lives. Japanese tradition believes that after 60 you become a baby again because 60 years is one cycle on the Japanese calendar. So it is a tradition in Japan for people to wear red on their 60th birthday, being that in Japan babies are called "akachan", or red ones. This holiday is an opportunity for the people of Japan to spotlight the well-respected and much appreciated elderly members of their community. 

Due to the high number of people in the nation that are aging, Respect for the Aged Day is only going to become increasingly important as the years go on! 

The Legend Behind the Moon Festival

The Chinese Moon Festival, occurring on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, is deeply imbedded with rich Chinese tradition and culture. It is often considered one of the most important of the traditional events for the Chinese, and also one of the most fun and exciting! 

What makes this event so exciting and fills it with tradition are the legends behind the Moon Festival. One story says that Chang Er, the wife of a strong and tyrannical archer, flew to the moon, where she lives even today. Her husband had stolen the elixir of life from a goddess and Chang Er drank it in order to prevent her husband from being able to. It was her attempt to save the people from her tyrannical rule, and she soon found herself floating after consuming it so she decided to fly to the moon. Legend has it that you can see her dancing on the moon -- but only during the time of the Moon Festival. 

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The second legend of the Moon Festival is the story of Wu Kang, a man who went to live in the mountains after deciding he wished to become immortal. In the mountains he went to live with an immortal to teach him. He was first taught about herbs to use to cure sickness, he was then taught to play chess. Wu Kang was an impatient, restless person and demanded to learn even more, so then he was given the books of immortality to study. He became bored within a few days and demanded more knowledge. Angered with him, his teacher banished Wu Kang to the Moon Palace and said he could not return until he chopped down a cassia tree. Each time Wu Kang chopped it down, the magical tree restored itself, so the story says he still remains at the Moon Palace chopping away. 

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Another legend, and our personal favorite here at ONCEkids, is of the Jade Rabbit. This story says that three fairy sages turned themselves into poor old men, begging a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit for food. The fox and monkey both gave him food, but the rabbit, having no food, instead sacrificed his own life for the beggars. Touched by his sacrifice, the fairies let him live in the Moon Palace, becoming known as the "Jade Rabbit". 

Meet Scooter Braun, the new Power behind K-pop's Psy

Scooter Braun (R) with Justin Bieber

As we mentioned previously, K-pop sensation Psy has now signed with producer and talent manager Scooter Braun.     Scott Samuel Braun, also known as "Scooter", is an American talent manager. Appearing on two record labels, School Boy Records and Raymond-Braun Media Group, he has represented names like Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen and now the rising K-pop star, Psy. 

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The 31-year-old talent seeker was born in New York City. Even as a child, Braun seemed destined for success. As a middle school student, his ten-minute short film, focusing on Holocaust-era Hungarian Jewry, won third place in a national video documentary contest. After a family member sent his film to Steven Spielberg, who was so blown away by it he submitted the video to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where it is still shown today. 

His launch into the music world, specifically hip hop, began with his establishment of a party-promotion business. His business drew in so much success that in 2002, Braun was hired to plan the after parties of the Anger Management Tour, which featured artists Ludacris and Eminem. 

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He left college his junior year to join the marketing team for So So Def Records. On September 3, 2012 Braun announced that he has entered into a business relationship with Psy, the K-pop star whose video 'Gangnam Style' has received over 131 million views on YouTube. Stars like Carly Rae Jepsen and Justin Bieber have seen so much success thanks to Scooter, we cannot wait to see what is in store for Psy! 

K-Pop Star Psy Set to Make History with Scooter rep

K-pop sensation Psy has quickly taken over the internet, with his video Gangnam Style. 

With over 131 million views, the video has had no trouble dominating the internet world, but with his new deal with manager Scooter Braun, Psy intends to take the song and dance even further. 

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Scooter Braun has helped stars such as Carly Rae Jepsen and Justin Bieber climb their way to the top, and he says he fully plans to do the same with Psy. 

Scooter expresses his high hopes for Psy by saying, "We've come to an agreement to make some history together. To be the first Korean artist to break a big record in the United States." 

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With big K-pop artists such as Girls Generation and 2NE1 arriving on the United States K-pop scene, Psy does have some competition -- but after his debut on the MTV VMA awards- it seems like Psy is already ahead of the game. 

We LOVE PSY! Watch Psy's Guest Appearance on MTV's VMAs [VIDEO]

K-pop artist Psy has taken over the web with his music video sensation, Gangnam Style but last night his career went to the next level when he appeared on MTV's Video Music Awards. 

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His appearance on the stage next to Kevin Hart was a surprise -- but an exciting one at that. His fun and easy-to-learn dance is always a crowd pleaser and continues to grow in popularity. When asked about his experience at the VMAs Psy responded, "I cannot believe what's going on. The increase in people knowing who I am is incredible. I did not expect things like this. I just made a video in Korea and uploaded it and within 50 days, I'm here now." Psy says we can expect many more pop songs from him in the near future- in Korean as well as some English. 

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Congrats to Psy for his success and his appearance at the Video Music Awards, we at ONCEKids are routing for Psy as we eagerly watch his popularity continue to grow!