An Auspicious Month....
Saga Dawa (Tibetan) or Vesak (Pali) is one of the most significant Dharma events observed worldwide by the entire Buddhist community. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place on the full moon day of that month. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place onSaga Dawa Duchen, the full moon day of the fourth month; namely,his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana.
Saga Dawa (Tibetan) or Vesak (Pali) is one of the most significant Dharma events observed worldwide by the entire Buddhist community. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place on the full moon day of that month. Three of the most important events in Buddha’s life took place onSaga Dawa Duchen, the full moon day of the fourth month; namely,his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana.
As it is generally known Buddha performed three important deeds on that day, namely his birth, enlightenment and passing into Parinirvana. To be more precise, there exist slightly different view points concerning the dates. However, according to the scriptures it is not the day of Buddha’s conventional birth or delivery 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. In the same way 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 Grove took place on the 15th day of the month of Magha (Sanskrit) or Chu Dawa (Tibetan).
At the age of 35 Buddha showed his attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Vajraasana or Bodhgaya and at the age of 80 he performed his last deed of entering into Parinirvana in Kushinagar, both events also taking place on that same day. Therefore this month is regarded as the holiest time of the year.
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. In the same way 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 Grove took place on the 15th day of the month of Magha (Sanskrit) or Chu Dawa (Tibetan).At the age of 35 Buddha showed his attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Vajraasana or Bodhgaya and at the age of 80 he performed his last deed of entering into Parinirvana in Kushinagar, both events also taking place on that same day. Therefore 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 100’000.” Whatever wholesome or unwholesome action is performed during this month has a 100’000 times stronger effect than at other times.
Saga Dawa extends from May 16th until June 14th, 2007, in the currentFemale Fire Pig Year 2134 of the Tibetan Calendar. Tibetan monthsbegin one day after a new moon, and end with the following new moon.May 16 was the first New Moon.
In Gangtok early on the fifteenth day, devotees as well as school children chant Om Mani Padme Hung, and carry the holy Kajur texts on their shoulders seeking eternal merits across the streets. Many religious as well as cultural organizations join hands in organizing this solemn procession every year.Kajur or the Tripitikas contains teachings or words of Lord Buddha in its three parts – Vinaya Pitika, Sutta Pitika and Abhidhamma Pitika. In simple terms, it covers a wide variety of subjects such as learning how to lead an ethical life, exploring great ideas such as compassion for others and social responsibility, studying spiritual acts as contemplation, prayer and meditation, and in general mastering the difficult task of finding lasting happiness. Kajur is preserved in some 103 volumes carved in wood block prints. These books reached Tibet more than a thousand year ago and were translated into Tibetan from Sanskrit.
The merit of reciting the Kajur is immeasurable as one receives blessing from the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (the three jewels). By reciting the words as spoken by Lord Buddha, we collect his timeless compassion and his greatness and reflect on his exemplary life, which is a source of endless inspiration to mankind to seek happiness and liberation for all the sentient beings. The recitation would automatically be dedicated to spreading and flourishing of the Buddhist tradition and, moreover, dedicated to all the sentient beings of all the six realms with the blessing of the triple gem.