Saga Dawa

Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana

Saga Dawa or the Triple Blessed Festival is an auspicious month for Buddhists. Prayers are held in various monasteries throughout the month. This festival falls on the full moon of the 4th month of the Tibetan calendar. Usually around May or June according to the Gregorian calendar.  Also, this day is celebrated in Nepal and India as the Buddha Jayanti. The date coincides with three important events in the life of the Buddha; the birth, the Nirvana (enlightenment), and Parinirvana (death).

It is the holiest month, and believe that all generous deeds or virtues are multiplied many thousandfolds. Special ceremonies, prayers are held throughout the Buddhist world. In Tibet or Lhasa in particular, almost everyone joins in circumambulating around the city and spend their late afternoon on a picnic at ” Dzongyab Lukhang” park at the foot of Potala.

In General, most people observe a vegetarian rule, refrain from killing animals and eating meat. Moreover, people make daily prayers and give out alms during the month. On the 15th day of the full moon day of the Tibetan calendar. A colorful procession of monks playing musical instruments and devotees carrying holy texts, portraits, and statues of Lord Buddha is taken out. People gather in the streets to touch their heads with the Holy Scriptures to receive blessings.