Saga Dawa

Saga Dawa, the fourth month in the Tibetan calendar, is known as the month of merits. Tibetans believe that during this month, the merits of one’s actions are multiplied. Therefore, Tibetan Buddhists make extra effort to practice more generosity, virtue, and compassion to accumulate greater merit during this period. On the 15th, the full moon day called Saga Dawa Düchen (it is the day when Buddha was born, obtained enlightenment, and entered into parinirvana), the merit of one’s actions is even further increased.

On the 11th of June 2025, the KIBI community thus engaged in various virtuous activities to commemorate this Saga Dawa Düchen as well as the eleventh anniversary of the parinirvana of His Holiness the 14th Künzig Shamar Rinpoché. Early in the morning of this auspicious day, our KIBI Sangha took the Sojong vows and then conducted the ritual of Green Tara. In the next session, His Eminence the 4th Jamgӧn Kongtrul Rinpoché, Migyur Drakpa Sengé, led the Sixteen Arhats puja, preceded by the Homage Prayer to the Hundred Lives of Buddha Shakyamuni (composed by the Third Karmapa, Rangjung Dorjé), the Praise of the Twelve Deeds of Buddha Shakyamuni (composed by Pawo Tsukla Trengwa), and followed by the Guru Yogas of the 14th Künzig Shamar Rinpoché and the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa. The session ended with aspiration and longevity prayers.

Afterwards, the community went to the National Museum in Janpath in order to pay their respects to the Buddha relics. Offering homage and flowers, various prayers of aspiration as well as of longevity for the head of the Karma Kagyü lineage, His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinley Thayé Dorjé, as well as for all bodhisattvas who tirelessly engage in activities for the wellbeing of sentient beings were recited. With hearts filled with gratitude in the memory of His Holiness the 14th Künzig Shamar Rinpoché, Mipham Chӧkyi Lodrӧ, the gathering especially prayed for the long life, successful studies and boundless activities of His Holiness the 15th Künzig Shamar Rinpoché.

Once back in KIBI, everyone enjoyed the lunch offered by the KIBI language students.

Later-on, the Sangha, staff, and language students gathered for the afternoon session, in which the Mahakala puja with a grand tsok offering to all protectors of the Karma Kamtsang lineage was conducted, and followed by the Calling the Guru from Afar (composed by Shamar Könchok Yenlak in the Jewel Cave at Tsāritra).

Finally, the program was brought to conclusion with the lighting of butter lamps and the recitation of the Lamp Offering Prayer (composed by Atiśa Dīpaṃkara). May all bodhisattvas be the guiding lights for all sentient beings, and may all sentient beings always be happy.