4 years ago
Celebration of the Buddha’s Life: Saga Dawa 2020-May 7
KNOWING THE MEANING OF “Saga Dawa”
Dawa means “month” in Tibetan and the term Saga, comes from Tibetan astrology, (Saga star) which is associated with the full moon of the fourth lunar month.
Buddhists from all over the world observe Saga Dawa, in different ways. It is a holiest month where Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha.
It is believed that the meritorious deeds done in the month is tripled by as many as one hundred million times so Saga Dawa is a great time to devote yourself into good deeds and positive spiritual actions.
The Saga Dawa observations take place in the fourth Tibetan month, which in 2020A.D. starts from May 23 and ends on June 21.
The 15th day of the month of Saga Dawa is the date associated with Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and (death)parinirvana.
In 2020, the 15th day of the Saga Dawa Duchen, will fall on June 5.
The good deeds are done specially on the 15th day for getting merit during Saga Dawa month. Few of the commonly done deeds are:
1. Avoiding meat and meat made products.
2. Lighting butter lamps and worshipping Buddha by performing various puja(rituals) .
3. Praying and reciting mantras circling around stupas, temples and other holy places in a clockwise direction.
4. Offering donations to monasteries, vihars, gumba
5. Giving money to beggars and needy ones
6. Visiting holy places
7. Releasing all kinds of animals which are going to be killed
8. Taking a Nyung ney a two-day intensive practice which includes taking the 24-hour Mahayana precepts with the addition of complete fasting and silence on the second day.
Observing the Eight Mahayana Precept is also common during Saga Dawa, especially on the full moon day or new moon day – the 15th day or the 30th day of Saga Dawa. Those eight precepts are:
1. To avoid killing, directly or indirectly.
2. To avoid stealing
3. To avoid taking things of others without the prior permission of the owner.
4. To avoid sexual contact.
5. To avoid lying and deceiving others.
6. To avoid alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs.
7. To avoid eating more than one meal that day.
8. To avoid eating meat, chicken, fish, eggs, onions, garlic and radishes.
