{"id":21022,"date":"2014-01-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-01-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/global2020prd.wpengine.com\/insights\/februarys-global-workplace-2014\/"},"modified":"2020-03-21T08:19:36","modified_gmt":"2020-03-21T08:19:36","slug":"februarys-global-workplace-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.global-integration.com\/insights\/februarys-global-workplace-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"February’s Global Workplace – 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"lanterns\"Each month we try and include the dates that are going to most affect the global workplace.<\/p>\n

February 14<\/h2>\n

Chinese New Year<\/a>, having fallen in late January, will continue being celebrated in the early part of the month. The Chinese Lantern Festival<\/a> falls on February 14th, symbolically, if not officially, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.<\/p>\n

Valentines Day<\/a> falls in many places on February 14, although few have the day off. It’s as well to note, though, that the day has negative political connotations in some Muslim countries and communities.<\/p>\n

Buddhist Nirvana Day (Feb 15)<\/h2>\n

Where? Celebrated worldwide by Buddhists, but primarily in Eastern Asia<\/h3>\n

Nirvana Day , or Parinirvana, commemorates the death of Buddha, placing him in a state of nirvana – or ultimate bliss. For buddhists, it’s an important day of religious contemplation, often involving a visit to the temple. Although celebrated by most on the 15th February, some celebrate<\/span>\u00a0on the 8th February.<\/p>\n

There’s a resource at About.com offering additional information. Although the write up is fairly ‘top level’ it holds some useful links:\u00a0https:\/\/buddhism.about.com\/od\/buddhistholidays\/a\/nirvanaday.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

Buddhist Magha Puja Day\u00a0(March 1)<\/h2>\n

Where? Celebrated worldwide by Buddhists, but primarily in Eastern Asia<\/h3>\n

Yes, we know this post is meant to be an idea of what’s happening in February, and this is apparently a festival for March. But if we leave it until March to mention, it will be too late: many people celebrate it earlier – in Thailand it’s an entire month earlier and called\u00a0Makha Bucha. The day is marked by processions and temple visits, and has its roots historically in the spontaneous (unplanned) meeting of many monks who had been ordained by Buddha.<\/p>\n

The day has other names, including the\u00a0Fourfold Assembly or Sangha Day.<\/p>\n

If found a nice write up on Beliefnet.com:\u00a0https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/Faiths\/Buddhism\/Articles\/Celebrating-Magha-Puja-Day.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hindu\u00a0Festival of Mahashivaratri (Feb 27)<\/h2>\n

Where? Hinduism has well over a billion followers spread worldwide.\u00a0Nepal is an official Hindu state, and India is the most Hindu-populated nation (although officially secular).<\/h3>\n

For Hindus, the Festival of Mahashivaratri is a major festival for devotees of Lord Shiva, and is a particularly holy day. It’s particularly significant for women, as the day is believed to have consequences for marital bliss, or,\u00a0for those who are single, for finding a man with the right qualities. Most places will celebrate on Thursday February 27, although some will celebrate on Friday 28th. For a little more on the festival, and it’s regional variations:<\/p>\n