Saka Dawa Day

NBCO will host a special event
Shakyamuni Day (aka Saka Dawa Düchen/Vesak Day)
Wednesday, June 11

On Shakyamuni Day (Saka Dawa Düchen, or Vesak) we commemorate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. Ponlop Rinpoche has said Shakyamuni Day is an important holiday for Nalandabodhi members. Rinpoche encourages us to take this day off from work as a religious holiday to focus on practice and the accumulation of merit—positivity and kindness. In that spirit, please observe a vegetarian diet for the day, or longer.

Shakyamuni Day will be a family-friendly holiday this year. Our observance at NBCO will stream the adult program from Nalandabodhi Toronto.  Lama Rabten will make brief remarks about the significance of this day in the Tibetan Buddhist context, and Mitra Mark will offer some words on its relevance in the 21st century.

Eileen Kay, a master ikebanist, will lead a children’s activity downstairs in flower arranging/ expression while parents and other adults are practicing in the main meditation hall.

Everyone will join together and enjoy the “Bathing the Baby Buddha” ceremony with Lama Rabbten, offered both onsite and online. The event will end with some closing remarks.

A light lunch will be provided at our Center.

The remainder of the day will be left to individuals and families to celebrate as they wish.

From last year’s ceremony of bathing the baby buddha

A tentative schedule of events is below.

Upstairs Shrine Room
9:00 am Mitra Dean Mark to address to talk about Shakyamuni Day
9:15 am Tibetan Tradition Lama Rabten
9:30 am Liturgy Practice
10:00am Bathing Baby Buddha
10:30am Closing Address
11:00am End

Downstairs Conference Room – Children’s Activities
9:00 am to 10:00 am.  Then everyone gathers in the shrine room for the Bathing Baby Buddha and closing remarks.

Everyone welcome.  Please register so we have a headcount.

Note: to join the celebration from home, you will need to register with the Toronto sangha.

https://toronto.nalandabodhi.ca/events/shakyamuni-day-2025/    

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