Gangtok, June 3: Buddhists today celebrated Saga Dawa,
considered the holiest of religious festivals in the state. Saga Dawa
is celebrated in the fourth month of the Buddhist lunar calendar.The `triple blessed festival`, as it is
called, marks three events that occurred at different times in the
life of the Buddha.
Devotees from all over the hill state gathered in large numbers
to offer prayers and burn butter lamps at the various monasteries
in Gangtok. Monks, devotees and students also took out a procession later in
the day. The religious rally began from Tsuklakhang and wound its
way through Kazi Road and M.G. Marg before completing a full circuit
and ending at the royal chapel.
Students and devotees at the procession carried Kangyur texts on
their shoulders. Kangyurs are 103 volumes of the Buddha's teachings
in three parts. They are carried through the procession so that
passers- by and devotees can touch them with their heads to seek
blessings.
Chief minister Pawan Chamling, in a message through the information
and public relations department, greeted the people of the state
on the auspicious occasion. In his message, Chamling urged the people to follow the noble teachings
of the Buddha which, he claimed, were of utmost importance in this
tumultuous age.
Lord Buddha was born as Siddhartha to King Sudhodna and queen Maha
Maya of the Sakya clan at Lumbini, in Nepal, in 560 BC. He renounced
worldly comforts at a young age and is said to have achieved enlightenment
on this day at Sarnath when barely 35 years old. Lord Buddha also attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar on the
same day, when he was 81.
According to Yishey D, an upcoming writer and researcher, the entire
fourth month of the Buddhist lunar calendar is observed as the Saga
Dawa month. `The three fold auspicious day celebrated in the 4th month of the
Buddhist lunar calendar followed by a full moon night is marked
as the day Lord Buddha was born, achieved enlightenment and attained
nirvana in different years of his lifetime,` he said.
Buddhists around the world observe this month as a time for meditation.
It is believed that all positive efforts made during this month
lead to a thousand-fold increase in good karma while sins and misdeeds
lead to the opposite.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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