Saka Dawa And Buddha Purnima

Saka Dawa is an important Tibetan Buddhist festival, held each year on the full moon day of the fourth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar (April-May). Saka Dawa means ‘fourth month'.

If we did one skillful action in this month,  then it is multiplied 10,000 times. Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhists both celebrate this festival as they have great faith in it. It is celebrated in remembrance of Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha is the founder of Buddhism. The ever benevolent Buddha was born in Lumbini in 623 B.C. Nowadays, Lumbini is in Nepal. Saka Dawa commemorates three important events of Buddha's life,
- His birth
- His enlightenment
- His attainment of Nirvana

On full moon day, the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana are applauded throughout the valley with celebrations. Swayambhu and Boudhanath Stupas are full with many people. Monasteries are cleaned, statues are polished, bright prayer flags wave in the breeze, and monks prepare to dance. On the Buddha Jayanti day, people reach the stupas before dawn, go around them and give offerings to the many Buddha images there.

CELEBRATION OF SAKA DAWA AT SMD SCHOOL

On 27th May, although the situation of Nepal was not good,  our school students got a chance to go to the Boudha Stupa from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM with full supervision of Hostel Heads. The kids came back safely and they have also accumulated some merit. In the evening, our kids prayed and lit butter lamps for world peace and for the benefit of every sentient being's life. Lama Karma Sangay was also present in shrine hall and he gave a nice speech on the topic of Saka Dawa. At the end, interested kids also did prostrations and meditation in shrine hall for one and half hours. The kids were also served with juice for refreshment. 

By Urgen Dorje B413