Saka Dawa Düchen 2024

Saka Dawa is the month when we honor Shakyamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment and parinirvana (passing from this life). Saka Dawa Düchen (May 23), is the full-moon day of the month.  This day (and the entire month, May 9 - June 6, 2024) is especially auspicious for spiritual practice  — the karmic effects of all actions are multiplied one hundred thousand times.  Geshe Gelek advises us to create merit by walking around the stupa (or the entire building), reciting mantras and sutras, liberating animals, saying prayers and doing charitable works.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ON SAKA DAWA 

•  5:45 am:  Geshe Gelek will offer the Eight Mahayana Precepts. In-person only at the Center. Geshe-la will offer these only if there are students who have never received the precepts from a qualified master. REGISTRATION REQUIRED to take the precepts for the first time. If no new students register, Kadampa Center will not open for precepts.  Students who have taken precepts before may take them at home in front of their altar. Registration closes at 5pm on Tuesday, May 21.
•  6:00 am:  After precepts, a light breakfast will be provided by Kadampa Center.
• 12:00 pm:  Geshe Gelek will lead a lamrim meditation and Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga ("Hundred Deities of Tushita" / Ganden Lha Gyama).  This practice will take more than an hour. Students are welcome to come and go quietly as their schedules dictate.

NOTE:  If you wish to take the Precepts online with a teacher, Lama Zopa Rinpoche has kindly made this option available here: Eight Mahayana Precepts online with Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Learn about the Eight Mahayana Precepts HERE.