Buddhist Asalha Puja Day ~ July 29 ~
Asala ~ turning of the wheel. Buddhist observance of the day when Gautama Buddha made his first public proclamation to five ascetics at Deer Park, Banares. He taught the middle way, the noble eight-fold path and the four noble truths:

• Dukka - life means suffering.
• Tanha - origin of suffering is attachment.
• Cessation of suffering is attainable.
• The way to cessation is via the eightfold path.

Also called Dharma Day, this day commemorates the historical Buddha’s first sermon, called “Turning of the wheel of Dharma (Dhamma),” following his own enlightenment.  The following day marks the beginning of the three-month Vassa or “Rains Retreat” for Theravadin Buddhist monks and nuns.
This period is a time for training in Dharma studies, meditation practice,
and giving religious services to the people.

Some August Interfaith Inspirations

Native August
For Native Americans, August marks the season of Wilhoon, the season marking the salmon runs of late summer; the Hopi Snake Dances, marking a sixteen-day ritual of purification; the Stomp Dance, performed by Seminole and other Oklahoma tribes as a time of renewal and purification; the Sun Dance, observed by Plains peoples (Arapaho, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Arikara, Crow, Sioux, and others) as a time of penitence and sacrifice; and the Iroquois Green Corn Ceremony, a time of renewal involving dances, fasting, offerings, and readings from the code of Handsome Lake.

Baha'i Kamál ~ August 1
The beginning of the eighth month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “perfection.”

Goddess/Wicca/Pagan Lughnassadon/Lammas ~ August 1
Northern and southern hemispheres
Also known as First Harvest, celebrates the 1st grain harvest.
There is reflection on the power of the gods from which physical and spiritual harvest will come.
Wiccan practitioners see this time as a signal of the god Lugh’s decline of strength as the sun rises farther south each day, while the Goddess witnesses this season with sorrow and joy.  It is both a somber and celebratory feast day.

In more secular celebrations, harvest, abundance and blessings are the focus; in the tradition of baking bread from the local wheat harvest, food and feast may come from the seasonal bounty of tomatoes, apples, etc.

Christian Feast of the Transfiguration ~ August 6
Christian (Eastern and many Western churches) commemoration of the experience on Mt Tabor when Jesus' physical appearance became brilliant as his connection with traditional Jewish holy figures became evident to the disciples; Peter, James, and John.

Hindu Raksha Bandhan ~August 9
Raksha Bandhan is a cherished festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Shravana. During this festival, girls and women tie amulets on their brothers’ wrists for protection against evil.
 
Hindu Narali Purnima  ~August 9
Celebrating the end of monsoon season, marked by throwing coconuts to Varuna, the sea god. 'Narali' implies 'coconut' and 'Purnima' signifies the 'full moon day.' Coconut holds an important purpose on this day. During this festival, people offer coconuts to the sea.

Christian Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ~ August 15
Roman Catholic Christian observance commemorating the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary
was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life.

Dormition (falling asleep) of the Theotokos
Orthodox Christian commemoration of the death and burial of the Virgin Mary

Baha'i Asmā’ ~ August 20
The beginning of the seventh month of the Bahá’í year, meaning “names.”

Taoism Zhōngyuán Jié (Ghost Month) ~ August 23rd - September 21st
The Chinese formal name of the Ghost Festival is Chung-Yuan 中元. According to Chinese Taoist belief, Ghost Month is when deceased ancestors visit the homes of the living. Ghost Day Festival is August 15th. Families prepare feasts and set tables with empty chairs so that the living and the dead can share the meal together on Gkost Day and perhaps throughout the month.

The Ghost Month is the seventh lunar month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The 15th lunar day of the 7th lunar month is the Chinese Ghost Festival. The first lunar day of the 7th lunar month is on August 4, 2024. August 18, 2024, is the 15th lunar day, which is the Chinese Ghost Festival. The first lunar day of the 8th lunar month is on September 3, 2024. Therefore, in 2025, Ghost Month is from August 23rd to September 21st in the China time zone.

Hindu Raksha Bandhan ~ August 28
Raksha Bandhan is a cherished festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters, is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Shravana. During this festival, girls and women tie amulets on their brothers’ wrists for protection against evil. 
Hindu Narali Purnima  ~ August 28
Celebrating the end of monsoon season, marked by throwing coconuts to Varuna, the sea god. 'Narali' implies 'coconut' and 'Purnima' signifies the 'full moon day.' Coconut holds an important purpose on this day. During this festival, people offer coconuts to the sea.

Christian Beheading of John The Baptist ~ August 29
Christian remembrance of the death of John who is known for preparing the people
so they would recognize Jesus as the Messiah.