Saga Dawa Duchen, observed today, is one of the four great festival days in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, commemorating Buddha Shakyamuni’s appearance, enlightenment, and disappearance from this world (parinirvana), after 45 years of preaching the Dharma.
Summarizing his teaching, Buddha Shakyamuni encouraged all disciples to “avoid harm, do good, and purify the mind”. On this day the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied 10 million times. This is a wonderful day to deepen our observance of the precepts (avoid harm), practice generosity (do good), and recite mantras (purify the mind), dedicating all merit to Great Benefit —the liberation and enlightenment of all beings.
Since you made we aware of this month-long ‘festival’ of Saga Dawa, I’ve been paying a lot of attention to what I do, & don’t do, & making some changes. One of those changes, was to ramp up & extend my daily meditation practice. And on SD Duchen (the 4th) I made special efforts to guide my thoughts, chant mantra & meditate…… & smile. Thank you so much for this!!
EH MA HO! Wonderful.