Saga Dawa celebrates three holy events in the life of Lord Buddha, the compassionate Guide of the World and omniscient Lion of the Shakyas—his birth in this world, his enlightenment, and his parinirvana.

Traditionally, sacred ceremonies to celebrate the kindness of Lord Buddha Shakyamuni in accordance with Three Yanas are held each year at Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat. Due to the current worsening of the coronavirus pandemic this year it was not possible to celebrate this occasion in an extensive way, therefore from April 25 to 27 a small-scale three-day ceremony was conducted to mark the Saga Dawa according to the Kalachakra calendar.

The auspicious commemoration of Lord Buddha’s life and activities began with a small number of tulkus, khenpos, lamas, and senior monastics performing rituals and prayers according to specific traditions of each of the Three Yanas, followed by presentations of Dharma discourses from the point of view of the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions about the ground, path, and fruition as well as view, meditation, and action; debates on Buddhist scriptures and reasoning; as well as discussions and presentations of common sciences such as grammar, logic, medicine, and astrology. 

Photos