Sun, 07 Jun 2009
Saga Dawa Celebration
Today is Saga Dawa, the day Tibetan Buddhists celebrate Buddha's enlightenment and death. It's one of four major holidays in the Tibetan calendar. Dates in the Tibetan calendar are tied to the lunar cycle, so they vary according to the Western calendar. Saga Dawa usually corresponds to the full moon in the zodiac sign of Gemini.
Today was the last day of the Spring Retreat and they finished with a long life practice for Khenchen Konchog Gyaltsen. It was fun, but I'm glad I won't have to do that drive again next weekend. I saw more Tibetans at the center than I usually ee, evidently well wishers for Khenchen. Khenchen has a new long life prayer, composed by Chetsang Rinpoche, the head of the Drikung lineage. I'll close with one verse from the prayer.
You have the view-realization of Nagarjuna and Maitripa
The meditation experience of Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, and Lord Mila
The conduct of correct acceptance and rejection of
Gampopa, Phagmodrupa and Kyobpa Jigten Sumgon
May you, holder of treasury of view, meditation, and conduct live long!
