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15th (full moon) day of the 4th lunar month
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The Most Sacred Day for Buddhist
The Most Sacred Day for Buddhist
Saga Dawa Düchen is celebrated as the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar, marking a time of profound spiritual importance for practitioners worldwide. Recognized for commemorating both the enlightenment and parinirvana (passing into nirvana) of Shakyamuni Buddha, this holy day is observed with reverence and devotion across Buddhist communities.
What Is Saga Dawa Düchen?
What Is Saga Dawa Düchen?
Saga Dawa Düchen, often referred to as the “Day of Miracles,” is a pivotal moment in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. According to Buddhist teachings, it was during the final watch of the night in Bodhgaya, India, that the Great Bodhisattva-at the age of thirty-five-attained complete and perfect enlightenment. In that transformative instant, he overcame the endless cycle of birth, old age, and death, breaking the chain of suffering for all beings. Upon his awakening, the Buddha declared:
“The chain is broken, the emotions stilled, suffering is ended.”
This auspicious day also marks the anniversary of the Buddha’s parinirvana at Kushinagara, India, underscoring its dual significance in the Buddhist tradition.
Why Is Saga Dawa Düchen So Important?
Why Is Saga Dawa Düchen So Important?
Saga Dawa Düchen is one of the four “ten million times” days in the Buddhist year. On these Dharmachakra days, it is believed that all positive and negative actions are multiplied by ten million. This amplifies the spiritual merit of virtuous deeds-such as generosity, meditation, and prayer-making it an ideal time for practitioners to engage in acts of kindness, attend teachings, and participate in community offerings.
It is a Dharmachakra day, one of the four 10 million times days of the year: all positive and negative actions are multiplied by 10 million!
How Is Saga Dawa Düchen Observed?
How Is Saga Dawa Düchen Observed?
Buddhists around the world observe Saga Dawa Düchen by:
Visiting temples and sacred sites
Making offerings and lighting lamps
Engaging in meditation and reciting prayers
Practicing generosity and compassion
Reflecting on the Buddha’s teachings
Many followers use the Karma Kagyu Calendar to keep track of this and other important Buddhist dates, ensuring they align their practice with the most auspicious times of the year.
This is also the anniversary of the Parinirvana of Mipham Chökyi Lodrö, His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
This is also the anniversary of the Parinirvana of Mipham Chökyi Lodrö, His Holiness the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche
according to the Tibetan calendar
His Holiness Karmapa's said on Saga Dawa / Vesak (2018):
"Vesak is an opportunity to reflect not only on the life of Buddha, but on the journey that all of us are on, the path of a Bodhisattva, and the practical steps that it takes to become enlightened. For we do not need to take a leap of faith. Prince Siddhartha did not become a Buddha through some kind of magic or mystery. He became a Buddha through dedicated practice, through being an example of great courage, and this is what I encourage all of us to consider on this auspicious day."
"Vesak is an opportunity to reflect not only on the life of Buddha, but on the journey that all of us are on, the path of a Bodhisattva, and the practical steps that it takes to become enlightened. For we do not need to take a leap of faith. Prince Siddhartha did not become a Buddha through some kind of magic or mystery. He became a Buddha through dedicated practice, through being an example of great courage, and this is what I encourage all of us to consider on this auspicious day."
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, shares the following message for his students on the occasion of Vesak 2019:
"In a world in which tradition is increasingly discarded, it is interesting to reflect on the enduring tradition of celebrating birthdays.
"In a world in which tradition is increasingly discarded, it is interesting to reflect on the enduring tradition of celebrating birthdays.
Buddhists do not discourage celebrations, though we do not really have a particular habit of honouring birthdays.
Buddhists do not discourage celebrations, though we do not really have a particular habit of honouring birthdays.
When it comes to the way in which many people celebrate Vesak, the anniversary of the birth, death and parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni, we approach this moment with curiosity and understanding.
When it comes to the way in which many people celebrate Vesak, the anniversary of the birth, death and parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni, we approach this moment with curiosity and understanding.
From the perspective of Buddhist philosophy, all of the Buddhas of the past, present and future have not seen an inherent birth. In absolute terms, there is no birth, just as there is no death. In relative terms, there is the appearance of the birth, and we perceive this almost as something from nothing, and it is therefore a cause for celebration.
From the perspective of Buddhist philosophy, all of the Buddhas of the past, present and future have not seen an inherent birth. In absolute terms, there is no birth, just as there is no death. In relative terms, there is the appearance of the birth, and we perceive this almost as something from nothing, and it is therefore a cause for celebration.
At the same time, we see an ordinary person like that of Prince Siddhartha somehow transform into an extraordinary being, a Buddha. Again, in relative terms, we perceive this as something from nothing! How is it that a once-upon-a-time farmer’s son can become the historical Buddha? We see that this possibility, this potential, is there for all of us, and again this is cause for remembrance.
At the same time, we see an ordinary person like that of Prince Siddhartha somehow transform into an extraordinary being, a Buddha. Again, in relative terms, we perceive this as something from nothing! How is it that a once-upon-a-time farmer’s son can become the historical Buddha? We see that this possibility, this potential, is there for all of us, and again this is cause for remembrance.
Therefore, on Vesak, we perform traditional rituals, such as the recitation of and listening to the sutras; meditation on compassion through samadhi; and charitable activities for those who are in need, in Buddhists communities worldwide.
Therefore, on Vesak, we perform traditional rituals, such as the recitation of and listening to the sutras; meditation on compassion through samadhi; and charitable activities for those who are in need, in Buddhists communities worldwide.
Practices like these dispel all kinds of disappointments—especially when there is no cake!"
Practices like these dispel all kinds of disappointments—especially when there is no cake!"
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