Saka Dawa Retreat

All participants should plan to be vegetarian for the entire day, regardless of whether vows have been taken or not.

The fourth month of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar is called “Saka Dawa.” “Dawa” means “month” in Tibetan. Of the 28 major stars tracked in Tibetan astrology, “Saka” is the name of the star which is closest to the earth and thus most prominent at that time.

Saka Dawa is the special month in which the Buddha’s conception, birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana all occur. In particular, the full moon day, or 15th day, of the fourth month marks the holiest day in Tibetan Buddhism. It is the day of the Buddha’s Conception, Enlightenment, and parting into Nirvana. It is auspicious to perform meritorious activities on this specific day. The merit generated from these virtuous activities increases 100,000-fold on this day in Saka Dawa. This year, that day comes on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

On that auspicious occasion and for the benefit of all sentient beings and world peace, H.E. Dagmo Kusho Sakya will lead a One-Thousand Armed Chenrezi Prayer service at Sakya Monastery. Students can participate in the prayer service for as long as they wish between 9 am and 4 pm.

Her Eminence Dagmo Kusho Sakya is one of the teachers at Sakya Monastery and wife of H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya of the Khön lineage, the Head Lama of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism. Dagmo Kusho specializes in Tara empowerments, practices, and teachings, and has many students throughout the world. She has received extensive teachings and empowerments from many great lamas of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism throughout her lifetime.