Saka Dawa
Saka Dawa celebrates the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (when a buddha passes away and leaves his or her earthly body). On this day, Buddhists around the world engage in many prayers and practices, make extensive offerings to teachers and holy objects, and perform charitable activities. This occasion is an excellent opportunity for beneficial thoughts, speech, and actions, and to dedicate ourselves to practice and study.
The karmic results of everything we do on this day are multiplied by 100 million, according to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, as cited in the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.
We encourage you to make a special offering on your altar: fruit, sweets, or flowers, which will create an abundance of positive energy.
Since the month of Saka Dawa (May 12–June 10) is an auspicious time to create merit, we invite you to make an offering to help sustain Shantideva Center. The practice of generosity strengthens our karmic connections to the teachings and our teachers, now and in the future. It also serves as the cause for our own future prosperity and opens the heart to our interconnectedness.
Practices
- Prayers
- Sutra for Remembering the Three Jewels
- Tonglen meditation
- Vajra Cutter Sutra Recitation
- Shakyamuni Puja
- Dedication and King of Prayers
Please click on the links above to access the PDF texts for the practices.
Prayer Requests
You are welcome to request a dedication. Please email by May 25th to [email protected] and indicate “Saka Dawa Prayers” in the subject line.
Today, just like any other day, is a perfect opportunity to engage more earnestly in one’s practice. May the Buddhadharma flourish and spread forth to all sentient beings in the ten directions!
Important Note
This is an online-only event that is administered using Zoom, as the center is currently closed due to COVID-19. Zoom is an interactive video-conferencing tool that allows participants to see one another and ask questions. You will need a computer, a tablet or a smartphone with the Zoom application to attend.
After registering, the system automatically sends a confirmation and/or a receipt email that contains the Zoom meeting link or other instructions. If you are using Zoom for the first time, please login a few minutes earlier to allow any necessary installations on your device.
If you don’t immediately receive the email(s) with the Zoom information, or you have questions about Zoom or accessing the class online, please contact us at [email protected].
Registration / Support the Center
Open donation. All are welcome.
Your generosity makes it possible for us to share the Dharma and continue working together for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Time zone: US Eastern Standard Time (GMT/UTC-4)
If the registration above didn’t work for you, please try this alternative page or email [email protected] for assistance.
Dana for the Teacher
About the Teacher
Venerable Amy Miller has been teaching extensively since 1992 and was ordained as a Buddhist nun in June 2000 by the great Tibetan master, Venerable Choden Rinpoche. She has previously directed several FPMT centers and projects for decades and has completed a seven-month solitary retreat. Her teaching style emphasizes a practical approach to integrating Buddhist philosophy into everyday life. She is happy to help people connect with meditation and mindfulness in an effort to gain a refreshing perspective on normally stressful living. Venerable teaches and leads retreats and pilgrimages around the world. Her teaching schedule and other information can be found at www.AmyMiller.com.
