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See below for a sample of dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The full calendar is available on the website,

Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King Day (USA)
A United States holiday marking the birth date of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King’s birthday (January 15)

Wednesday, January 17: Baizhang Memorial
Anniversary of the death of Master Baizhang (jp.Hyakujo) known for establishing the first Zen Monastic Code. 

Thursday, January 18:  Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
An international Christian ecumenical observance kept annually between January 18 - 25. It is actually an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days.

Friday, January 19: Eihei Dogen Kigen Birth date
Anniversary of the birth of Eihei Dogen Kigen, founder of the Soto Zen school in Japan.

Monday, January 22: Vasanta Panchami

A North Indian celebration, Vasanta Panchami is associated with Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning and with Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. Yellow clothes and yellow sweets, symbolizing both spirituality and the ripening of crops, are customary.​

Thursday, January 25: Honen Shonin Memorial
Anniversary of the death of Honen Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shu (the first independent branch of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism), in 1212. 

Saturday, January 27: International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (UN)
The General Assembly decided that the United Nations would designate January 27 – the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp – as an annual International Day of Commemoration to honour the victims of the Holocaust, and urged Member States to develop educational programs to instill the memory of the tragedy in future generations to prevent genocide from occurring again.​

Tuesday, January 30: Eve of Tu B’Shevat
Observance begins at sundown.

Wednesday, January 31: Tu B’Shevat
One of four New Year’s days, Tu B’Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year’s Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Nowadays, it is a day for environmental awareness and action such as tree planting. Special meals (Seders) include the seven fruits of the land (wheat and barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and [date] honey), each symbolizing a spiritual reality.​