The full moon day of the 4th lunar month marks the anniversary of Shakyamuni Buddha’s enlightenment – under the bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, India – and his parinirvana (passing away) – in Kushinagar, India. This is one of the four major Buddhist holy days, and thus a merit-multiplying day.
Recently we received some advice from our spiritual director that the major holy days should be celebrated according to the Indian time, so we are starting our Saka Dawa practices on May 24 (even though your Tibetan calendars will say that Saka Dawa is on May 25). This makes sense because the full moon in California is going to occur at around 9:25 PM on Friday evening. On Saturday, it will still be the Indian 15th day of the 4th month until around 5 or 6 pm (the new day starting at dawn, according to the Asian way of reckoning).
Here is our schedule of practices:
Note: all of these events are at the Wish Fulfilling Temple (on the higher part of the land), due to a large group using the main gompa for their retreat.
Friday – May 24
5:30pm – 7.15pm
Chittamani Tara Puja / Ven Steve
Saturday – May 25
9:30am – 10:15am
Medicine Buddha Practice / Ven. Drimay
10:45 – 12noon
Shakyamuni Buddha Puja / Ven Drimay
12:15pm
Precept lunch (for those who pre-register for lunch; we will activate registration soon)
1:30 – 2:30pm
Animal liberation / Ven Steve
2.45 – 3:15pm
Hayagriva mantras, long life mantras
King of Prayers (IMI is requesting Sangha to do), long life prayers, etc. / Ven Steve
After 3:15pm
release the worms in the compost area
| Date(s): | Friday May 24 - Saturday May 25 |
| Times: | 5:30 pm - 3:30 am |
| Instructor/Leader: | resident sangha |
| Type of event: | puja |
| Number of sessions: | 5 |
| Level: | Suitable for All |
| Participation: | Drop-ins Welcome |
| Location: | Wish Fulfilling Temple |
| iCal Link: | iCal |
| Add to Google Calendar: |  |
Registration and Donations for Saka Dawa – Anniversary of The Buddha’s Enlightenment
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