Christmas is a stressful, busy time so there is always room for a collection of holiday classics sung in a smooth, no-frills style by a skillful and talented singer like Darius Rucker. On Home for the Holidays, Rucker does not offer anything groundbreaking or unusual, just 10 familiar and beloved Christmas tunes and two originals he wrote that fit right in with the classic holiday formula, "What God Wants for Christmas" and "Candy Cane Christmas."

You can play this CD at any holiday gathering and be assured that everyone will enjoy it. No one will be displeased by anything on it, from the secular and quite unlikely holiday favorite, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," to those songs we've known all our lives, like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "White Christmas." With "Baby, It's Cold Outside," on which Rucker is joined by Sheryl Crow, the secular side of the season is well-represented, as is the religious side with the beloved "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Even one of this reviewer's favorite Christmas songs, "Please Come Home for Christmas," is present.

As a collection of Christmas favorites, this is a perfectly listenable and pleasant CD. However, for my taste it is just a bit too smooth and predictable. Rucker has had a career in pop with Hootie and the Blowfish and in country as a solo artist, but this offering is pure adult contemporary pop. While Rucker's voice is beautiful and warm, this has all been done before by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Johnny Mathis, and others. Indeed, the versions and the sound here remind me most of Nat King Cole. While that is not a bad thing, it just seems a little unnecessary. Rucker is certainly capable of adding just a bit more soul, a little more edge, or a slightly different arrangement to a few of these songs to make them more individual. He can also certainly write songs that elicit more emotional response. Also, there are many beautiful holiday songs that would suit Rucker's voice well that have not been recorded so many times. The artist played it very safe this time.

Still, for gift-giving to your more conservative friends and family and for those times when you just want to hear some relaxing music after a busy shopping, decorating and wrapping day, this is a perfectly acceptable and safe choice.

Darius Rucker Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. Val Gempis

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Music Review: Darius Rucker - 'Home for the Holidays'

Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka on Poson Poya Day with the arrival of Arahat Mahinda, the son of Emperor Asoka. Establishment of the order of nuns commenced with the arrival of Arahat Mahinda's sister Sangamitta Therini to Sri Lanka.

Charming Princess Sanghamitta married a Prince named Aggribrahama at the age of 16. They were blessed with a son, who was named Sumana. Renouncing a royal life, Sanghamitta entered the Sasana when she was only eighteen years old. Emperor Asoka's brother Prince Tissa, and Prince Aggribrahama entered the Buddhist order as well. With this Sri Lanka was esteemed world over as the Centre of Theravada Buddhism, with 'Maha Viharaya' in Anuradhapura established as the oldest continuing Buddhist monastery.

Sanghamitta decided to enter the sasana as a Bhikkuni under the guidance of therinis Ayupali and Dhammapali, the two elderly nuns. Arahat Bhikkuni Sangamitta arrived in Sri Lanka and established the order of the nuns or the Bhikkuni Sasanaya on Unduvap Poya Day. Further, she brought with her a sapling of the Sacred Jayasrimaha Bodhi tree from Buddhagaya, where Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment.

The Bo-sapling was brought to Sri Lanka; it was presented to King Devanampiyatissa, the ruler of Sri Lanka. The sapling was the southern branch from the Sri Maha Bodhi in India. The sapling planted in 288 BC, is the oldest known living human-planted tree in the world. It is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka today and respected by Buddhists population world over. Mahamegha Park at Anuradapura became the headquarters of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The impact created by the two visitors some 24 centuries ago yet remains the most influential by any envoy, foreign delegation, or a diplomat on the lives of the people of this Indian Ocean Island. It changed the cultural, social, and spiritual patterns in a revolutionary change in Sri Lanka. Actually, Buddhism was deeply rooted here only after the arrival of Sanghamitta theri on Unduvap Poya Day.

The Sri Maha Bodhiya, Anuradhapura becomes the centre of attraction on Unduvap Poya Day, with both the Jayasri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanveliseya premises flooded with devotees who flock from various parts to observe sil.

The arrival of Sanghamitta was the result of King Devanampiyatissa's queen Anula and other ladies of the Royal family showing an interest entering the order. They conveyed their desire to Arahat Mahinda Thera, who advised the king, Devanampiyatissa to invite his sister Sanghamitta Theri (nun) to establish the order of the nuns [ Meheni sassna].

Sanghamitta theri and her delegation was headed by Bodhigupta. They were accompanied by, according to the historical reports available, by eleven nuns including ambassador Artitta and members of various castes or trades, who specialized in various fields of arts and crafts. They brought with them "Ashtapala Bodhis" the eight Bo-saplings, which was distributed to eight provinces. Therefore Unduvap poya is important to us Sri Lankans in many ways.

The name of Sanghamitta , a role-model for all woman folk is celebrated throughout the island by holding traditional Sanghamitta Perahera to remember the theri on this poya day.

The sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree is over 2260 years old. Thus this tree is the oldest tree in world in the recorded history. As the Anuradhapura era ended, the historical city of Anuradhapura including the Maha Viharaya was covered with the thick jungle and went in to ruins. But, the bhikkhus of the Maha Viharaya protected the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Maha Viharaya temple through centuries, facing all kinds of difficulties without proper quarters, food or robes, living among the wild beasts.

The Maha Viharaya thus protected so far with great sacrifices, is being restored to its former glory now. It is the responsibility of the Buddhists world over to preserve this great world heritage for the future by restoring the sacred historical places of worship in the Maha Viharaya while spreading the light of the pure Theravada Buddhism to the world.

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Theri Sanghamitta's gift to Sri Lanka

Art historian Dr. Karen S. Hwang will present an illustrated ARTalk at the Ridgefield Library on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. highlighting five sculptures from India, China, Korea, and Japan and outlining the development of Buddhist art in South and East Asia.

Ms. Hwangteaches art history at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She received her doctorate from Harvard University, where she concentrated her studies on the arts of the Buddhist caves along the Silk Road.She has lived in Ridgefield for the last five years.

This is one in a continuing series of ARTalks that explore the creative process in art, architecture and design and are co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Library and the Ridgefield Guild of Artists.

The program is free and open to the public. However, registration is recommended at ridgefieldlibrary.org or by calling 203-438-2282.

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Art historian to talk about buddhism, sculptures Sunday at the library