Bodhisattva Road
Saga Dawa is considered a holy month in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. It’s said to be in this period that the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and passed away. It’s a lunar calendar, so it doesn’t have the same dates every year. This year it’s the month of June.
If our Christian friends could imagine what things would be like if Christmas and Easter were in the same month, that can give us a sort of general understanding.
During Saga Dawa, there is one day in the middle that is the culmination, the holiest day of the month. This is the date of the full moon. This year it is June 14th. This is called “Saga Dawa Duchen” and it’s usually the most holy day of the year for Tibetan Buddhists.
Having one month where these things happened and celebrating one specific day in that month sort of makes me think of President’s Day, which is celebrated in between the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, because they were born in the same month.
So, this holy day, Saga Dawa Duchen, is the culmination of this sacred month where we honor these things from the Buddha’s story.
How can we celebrate this holiday?
Usually this day is observed through: extra periods of meditation practice, giving to people that need it, and abstaining from harmful acts. A lot of Buddhists choose a vegetarian diet on this day as well. There is a list of 24 hour vows that people sometimes take on this day too to be sort of temporary monastics.
It’s said that all merit generated in this month, and especially in this day, is magnified. So it’s considered really beneficial to spend some time meditating, studying, participating in ceremonies, and doing good works in the world.
My community, the Rime Buddhist Center, is doing a meditation event for the entire day on June 14th. People are free to come and go if they want to meditate in a sacred space on this auspicious day. If you’re here in Kansas City, you should come.
The day will end with a special ritual to commemorate the day and honor the Buddha. This will be streamed on zoom, so you could attend that even if you’re not local.
The details are below:
Saga Dawa Duchen is one of the most important sacred Buddhist days. The full moon day of fourth Tibetan month is commemorates Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing away). All the merits of virtues actions done on this day are multiplied.
The Rime Center will be open during the day for you to come in and meditate at your own pace and time limit. Lama Matt will be offering the 24 hour Mahayana vows to those who wish to make special effort for the day. The vows will be given in-person at 5:30am. A special puja to commemorate Saga Dawa Duchen beginning at 6:00 pm. The puja will be in-person and online using Zoom. If you want to attend online click on the button to register in advance.
Schedule
5:30 am – 24 Hour Mahayana Vows – In-person only
6:00 am – Open House for Meditation In-person throughout the day
6:00 pm – Special Shakyamuni Buddha Puja – In-person and online
RIME BUDDHIST CENTER
2939 Wayne Avenue
Kansas City, Missouri 64109
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