Why civic and political participation is important

it's a secular holiday. it is and was a custom developed to recognize the ending of a time and a wish for a good future. the kind of kiss you exchange, if you are single, is intended to predict what kind of year you will have in the coming year.

it is saying good bye to the last year with all its ups and downs, and hello to the new year, with all its hopes and dreams.

one central belief of buddhism is often referred to as reincarnation -- the concept that people are reborn after dying. buddhism is a philosophy of life expounded by gautama buddha ("buddha" means "enlightened one"), who lived and taught in northern india in the 6th century b.c.