SAKA DAWA - Anniversary of the Buddha's birth, death and Enlightenment

Sunday June 7
Celebrate the full moon day of Saka Dawa - which commemorates Lord Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and paranirvana. As cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche in the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic, virtuous actions done on this day are multiplied one hundred million times. This is one of the four major annual traditional Tibetan Buddhist festivals. Geshe-la will be offering a special Refuge Ceremony, and there is a precept ceremony preceeding it for those that want to make the day even more special. See the full details below.

5.30 am - Precepts
Buddha House will be celebrating Saka Dawa by offering the opportunity before dawn of taking the 8 Mahayana Precepts for the day.  The 8 Precepts are to not kill, steal, lie, take any type of intoxicant, sexual activity, eat after noon, sit or sleep on an elaborate bed or chair, wear jewelry, perfume, ornaments etc.  The aim is to develop mindfulness of ones body, speech and mind over the 24 hour period. 

6.30 am - Refuge Ceremony
The Precepts ceremony will be followed by a an opportunity to take Refuge.  This is for people who wish to take Refuge in the Buddhist Path (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) with Geshe Pema Tsering.  Those who are taking Refuge will also receive an explanation of the 5 lay vows before deciding which vows they will take for the duration of this life.  Taking refuge is a very special moment for participants and has been requested by a number of people who want to become Buddhists. 

No fee to attend the Refuge ceremony, however an offering to Geshe-la when receiving his blessing is appropriate.

PS You may consider including children in your Saka Dawa celebrations by reading Prince Siddhartha, the Story of Buddha, by Jon Landaw and Janet Brooks. This is a children's book with beautiful drawings and a simple, accurate telling of the life story of Lord Buddha and is available at: www.fpmt.org/shop