Saga Dawa (Tibetan) is the most significant event of the year for Buddhists as three of the most essential events in Buddha’s life (birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana) took place on the full moon day of 4 luna month.
According to the scriptures it is not the day of Buddha’s conventional birth but his entering the womb of the mother in other words the day of his conception. According to Buddhism the first coming into contact of the consciousness of a being with the cells of the parents in the womb of the mother is considered to be the actual birth, the very starting point of this life or rebirth. So, Buddha’s entering the womb of Queen Mahamaya of the Shakya Royal Family on the full moon day of the Vesak month is regarded as Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth. Buddha’s conventional birth in Lumbini took place on the 15th day of the month of Magha (Sanskrit) or Chu Dawa (Tibetan).
At the age of 35 Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Vajraasana and at the age of 80 he performed his last deed of entering into Parinirvana in Kushinagar, these both events happened on that same day.
This month is regarded as the holiest time of the year. It is also known as ‘bum gyur dawa’ in Tibetan, meaning (the month which multiplies by 100000 whatever wholesome or unwholesome action is performed during this month has a 100000 times stronger effect than at other times)
During the whole month Buddhists have celebrations and pay homage for Buddha Shakyamuni. Most auspicious ceremonies are taken place in Holy mountain Kailash region in Tibet as it’s believed that on Saga Dawa day Buddha Shakyamuni is comingfrom the heaven to the top of Kailash and people get blessed. People put auspicious huge prayer flag known as Darpo Che performing religious ceremonies.
For the year 2009 the date of Saga Dawa festival is 07 June.
We welcome you to join our trip to the sacred land of Tibet, Mountain Kailash and Mansarovar Lake on the holiest time of the year and to fill bless of joining the spirit of Saga Dawa festival on this fantastic Holy Land.
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