Saga Dawa
Saga Dawa is one of the four most sacred periods in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, which marks the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha Shakiamuni and, in 2025, takes place from May 27 to June 25, with its culmination on the full moon of June 11.
It is also called the “month of merit”, a period dedicated to generating merit through virtuous actions and positive thoughts.
It is said that during Saga Dawa actions, virtuous or not, are multiplied 100 million times.
For this reason, practitioners make an extra effort to accumulate merit during this period, such as practicing generosity, virtue and compassion, and then dedicate it to the benefit of all beings.
Schedule
- Vajrasattva practice sessions from May 27 to June 11, from 7 pm to 9 pm (UTC-3)
- There will be no Vajrasattva practice on June 3 (Tara Tsog) and June 5 (Shower of Blessings Tsog).
- Registration required
- Registrants will receive a link to a recorded teaching by Lama Tsering on Vajrasattva practice. Everyone should watch the teaching as a way of preparing for the practice
- There will be instructions for beginners at the practice on May 27, at 7 pm (UTC-3)
- No prerequisites
- Spontaneous offering
- In person and online
Special program at Saga Dawa Düchen - June 11
The Full Moon of Saga Dawa is considered the holiest day in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, when Buddha Shakiamuni's enlightenment and parinirvana are commemorated, and this year it will be celebrated on June 11.
On this day, Lama Tsering invites everyone to accumulate merit with a special program, to be confirmed soon.
For more information: eventos@odsalling.org
Saga Dawa takes place in the 4th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. The sacred period begins on the new moon of that month, reaches its peak after 15 days, on the full moon, and lasts until the next new moon.
On the day of the full moon, Saga Dawa Düchen takes place, which is considered the most important holy day of the year for Tibetan Buddhism. It commemorates the enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha Shakiamuni.
The seventh day of this period commemorates the birth of Shakiamuni Buddha, Tampei Düchen.
Düchen means “great occasion”.
A vow is a commitment. You don't need an empowerment to make one or more vows. The most important thing is to do it with the pure motivation of benefiting all beings until everyone is free from suffering and achieves immediate and definitive happiness.
Simply put, you stand in front of your altar (or anywhere) and visualize, in any way you can, Shakiamuni Buddha or your chosen deity, inseparable from your Lama and, in front of them, with them as witnesses, you proclaim your vow.
You can make vows for one day, for many days or even for the entire Saga Dawa period.
Vesak, which is followed by some Buddhist traditions, is the commemoration of Shakiamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana on the same day, on the full moon of May.
For practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism, the equivalent of Vesak takes place during the Saga Dawa period. In addition, within this period, there is a specific day to celebrate Shakiamuni Buddha's enlightenment and parinirvana, called Saga Dawa Düchen, and another to celebrate the Buddha's birth, called Tampei Düchen.
