Saga Dawa is the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar. It is considered to be the most important month of the year for practice since Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana all fall within this period (according to Tibetan tradition). The first fifteen days of the month are considered especially important.
The worldwide Rigpa Sangha is encouraged to enter into a period of intensive practice during the entire Tibetan month, but particularly during the first fifteen days of the Tibetan month.
23 May - Birth of Buddha
The recommended practices for this day include the Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge, the Bodhisattva Vow and Verses of Homage to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. If you have time you could also recite The Treasury of Blessings - A Practice of Buddha Śākyamuni by Mipham Rinpoche.
31 May - Saga Dawa Düchen Wheel Day Practice Events
Online from 8.30 – 10.15am AEST
Saga Dawa Düchen, celebrates Buddha Shakyamuni’s enlightenment in Bodhgaya at the age of thirty-five. On this day, the Buddha proclaimed:
Profound peace, natural simplicity, uncompounded luminosity
I have found a nectar-like Dharma.
This day also marks the anniversary of the Buddha’s parinirvana at Kushinagara.
It is said that on this day, the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times. In recognition of this, the Practice Team offers an opportunity to come together to recite prayers that pay homage to the Buddha, read stories from the Jataka Tales, and engage in other recommended practices for this auspicious occasion.
As this is also a full moon day, the recitation of the Bodhisattva vow will be included, allowing us to renew our Mahayana commitment and reflect on our aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.
Some local centres may choose to gather as a sangha to mark this day, so please look out for local information. If you are practising at home, it can be helpful to have an image or statue of Buddha Shakyamuni to support your practice. Placing offerings—such as flowers or food—on your shrine is also considered highly meritorious.
This is also a wonderful day to clean or refresh your shrine. These simple acts are beautiful ways to honour the Buddha and your own buddha nature. May we remember the great merit that such virtuous actions can bring on these auspicious Wheel of Merit days.
Join the streaming using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3677397331?pwd=QlEvQXdSakNuYzdiMlZpcGtxNnpVdz…
Meeting ID: 367 739 7331
Passcode: 6198