Someone asked: since today is a Buddhist holy day, how does the holy day relate to the system of wholesomeness?

Establishing a custom that makes people behave in ways that favor wholesomeness is far from easy — it's extremely difficult. But once such a custom is established and carried forward through generations, that shows the day truly matters. People don't simply decide out of nowhere that a given day favors wholesomeness; there must be a template set in place from the past, with a wholesome backdrop already ready to lend its benefit.

The current generated by people's collective intention affects every particle of the atmosphere, which is itself made up of the three natures of phenomena, constantly counterbalancing one another — none ever fully winning or losing. But the current of people's activity tips which nature prevails in a given place and time. In a place of revelry, the unwholesome nature prevails; in an ordinary tourist spot, the neutral nature prevails; but in a place where people are engaged in good deeds, the wholesome nature prevails. Whatever kind of cause people are engaged in during a given period, that nature gains strength.

The holy day is one such day when the collective current shapes the atmosphere, making it easier for people to engage in good deeds — people can immerse themselves more readily in wholesome activity. Keeping the eight precepts is easier on the holy day than on other days, and the same applies to visiting a temple to practice meditation — the atmosphere responds, and people become more engaged. This also depends on the surrounding environment and which community it belongs to, since each religion has its own days that favor wholesomeness differently — Hindus have their own day, and Muslims gather at the mosque on Friday evening for communal discussion, for example.