SAKA DAWA ས་ག་ཟླ་བ།—-A SACRED and CELEBRATORY MONTH starts May 29, 2025 – The special Day is June 11, full moon day.

SAKA DAWA  In Tibetan, Dawa is moon and Saka is a certain star that appears with the full moon at this time.  DURING SAKA DAWA, we commemorate the Birth, the Enlightenment, and the Parinirvana (death) of the Buddha. This is the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, starting on May 29 in the year 2025.  The most holy day is the day of the full moon (15th Tibetan day), which is June 11th.  During the entire period, the merit of all good that you do or think is multiplied many times, from 100 to 100,000 times to as many as one hundred million times.  On the other hand,  your negative deeds and thoughts are also multiplied.  Therefore, this is a perfect time to be focused and dedicated to spiritually positive behavior.

WHAT IN PARTICULAR CAN WE DO?  Respectfully clean your shrine and make offerings to the Three Jewels and your shrine space. Practice generosity to all beings. This includes the generosity of forgiving the people and situations that upset and enrage you. Forgive yourself, too, in order to awaken your own Buddha-nature. Practice meditation, especially with compassion and without grasping.  Do any of your Buddhist practices with focus and sincerity.  Light incense and candles, place water bowls, and dedicate them.  Read biographies of the Mahasiddhas and of great Lamas.  Save and assist any animals and insects. Be kind and patient with all people.  You can also make mental offerings of all kinds.  Some people take the Eight Mahayana Precepts for a day or more, especially on the full moon day, June 11th.  Eat vegetarian or vegan.  Spend a couple of days eating like an ordained person–nothing to eat after 1 pm.  Recite food offering prayers before you take food, and visualize the offering to the Three Jewels. Participate in special pujas, meditations, and other activities at Dharma centers. Pray for peace to all beings in the world.