The Saga Dawa Düchen, a day of profound historical significance, commemorates the birth, attainment of enlightenment, and Parinirvana (death) of the Buddha more than 2,500 years ago. This sacred event, which occurs annually on the full moon day of the 15th day of the 4th month of the Tibetan Calendar (for 2025, the day falls on 11 June), marks the birth of the prince of the Sakya clan in Lumbini, his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, and his passing in Kushinagar. These three momentous events, all on the same day over 2,500 years ago, form the cornerstone of the Saga Dawa Düchen.
It states that the effects of virtuous or negative actions performed on this day are multiplied one hundred million times. The Buddha’s advice, simply stated, was to avoid harming others and, if possible, to help them. Thus, during the Saga Dawa, people visit nearby shrines, perform circumambulations, make prostrations, give alms, release captive animals (like fish into the river, birds or any animals like yak, goat, cow and Sheep in their freedom), offer incense and butter lamps, observe a vegetarian diet at least for one month, distribute free water, juice or food at Major Buddhist sites and monasteries. The two most visited sites in Kathmandu are Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupas, and in Tibet are the Jokhang Temple, Potala Palace, and Dzongyab Lukhang Park, as well as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. During the festival, major monasteries in Kathmandu perform Chham Dances. In Tibet, the major monasteries performing Chham are Tsurpu and Drigung Til.
During Saga Dawa, many pilgrims make their way on a spiritual journey to Mount Kailash, a site revered by various religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Bon. For Buddhists, Kailash is their Mount Meru, the axis of the World and the abode of Buddha Chakrasambara, the wrathful manifestation of Buddha, the divine figure of ultimate bliss. On this day, the praying flag pole at the base of Mount Kailash is raised in the presence of thousands of pilgrims from around the World, symbolizing their spiritual connection to this sacred site.
The homage to the Buddha is “Om Mune Mune Maha Mune Ye Soha.”
For us, our guests are everything. Atithi Devo Bhava or the guests are gods, and all of you exceeded the ceiling of the meaning of support. Your words are everything for us, thank you!
