In accordance with The Great Blessings, the Sun Mun Way requires followers take every opportunity to celebrate life's joys, big and small. How one celebrates is personal, but we encourage use of others' holidays and celebrations as anchor points from which your personal faith traditions can be born.
No matter what or how one chooses to celebrate, however, The Way encourages traditions, or regularity in the celebrations and calendars that is passed down through generations.
The Way encourages finding reasons to celebrate outside normally celebrated achievements and milestones as well.
The Way also encourages separating the art from the artist, so to speak. If for example another's holiday was founded on bad faith but celebrates good principles, The Way encourages you to make that holiday your own and honor the positives without the baggage of the negatives.
What and how you celebrate is up to you. Nonetheless, below, please find a non-exhaustive list of traditions and celebrations other followers of The Way observe. If you would like to add your traditions to this list, please contact us at the link above.
Thank you, and may you be Blessed.
BONZA (BANZAI) BOTTLER DAY is celebrated once a month, when the day and month share the same number (Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 3, etc). Traditions include special desserts, sweets, games, celebratory music over breakfast, and texting friends and loved ones the traditional greeting: "HBBD"
THE FIRST HAIRCUT is a milestone that families are encouraged to use as an excuse for a pilgrimage to Florida, USA, home of the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom park of the Walt Disney World resort. Harmony Barber Shop offers a first haircut experience that tailors to babies and youth who may be nervous for their first time, but it also offers an opportunity for families to gather together in the so-called most magical place on earth.
HANUKKAH (CHANUKAH) is a Jewish holiday known as the festival of lights which lasts eight nights usually some time between November and January. In Judaism, it is considered more of a cultural holiday than a religious one, but in Western cultures it takes on an outsized role due to its proximity to Christmas. Followers of The Way are encouraged to celebrate the eight nights with a box of fancy ("splurge") chocolates, divided over the eight nights, and the completion of a puzzle, started on night one and finished by the end of the holiday. (Some followers instead choose a LEGO set or similar puzzle-adjacent construction activity.) Additionally, trips to Benihana are encouraged, where tables of eight plus the standing chef resemble the eight-branched Hanukkah Menorah used in the holiday.
CHRISTMAS is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus on December 25th annually. It is a beloved season and set of traditions in Western cultures and elsewhere. Followers of The Way are encouraged to decorate with lights and traditional trees. Many followers enjoy gifting loved ones with an annual ornament celebrating something special about the year that has passed. Followers of The Way often celebrate Christmas Eve with a special bottle of champagne, fancier-than-usual pizza, Christmas movies, and favorite Christmas episodes of TV shows from childhood or otherwise. In 2020, a chapter in Los Angeles designated the New Girl season 1, episode 9 Christmas episode ("The 23rd") the official Christmas Episode of The Way.
THANKSGIVING is an American holiday celebrated in November. While some in America believe the holiday celebrates a genocide and is therefore not something we should embrace, The Way takes a humanist approach to the holiday and celebrates it for all the positives (celebrating the harvest, celebrating gratitude and thankfulness). Traditions include ordering a Honeybaked Ham and making a lactose-free pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust and coconut cream.
HALLOWEEN is traditionally celebrated with homemade costumes and a Plinko-inspired candy distribution system for trick-or-treaters.
NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND is an annual pilgrimage taken by many followers of The Way. Worship groups meet on Saturday Night at the stadium and celebrate feats of athleticism while meditating on slam dunks and cheering with standing ovations.
MARCO DAY is celebrated annually on October 21st, the birthdate of Steven Lee Marco. Followers are encouraged to attend a fancy restaurant (ie tasting menu or celebrated restaurant) and tell stories about friends and loved ones who have passed on.
EASTER, another Christian holiday, is often celebrated with the exchange of stuffed animals.
PASSOVER, another Jewish holiday, is often celebrated with the construction of home made colorful nutcrackers (not meant to be functional).
NEW YEARS EVE is often celebrated with champagne and a group viewing of the Nickelodeon Pete & Pete episode, "New Years Pete."
WEEKLY MASSAGES are an indulgent but sacred tradition encouraged for all followers of The Way for whom such a tradition is feasible.