The Birth of the Buddha (15th day of the 4th lunar month)

Saga Dawa Festival on the 15th of the fourth month of Tibetan calendar is a unique festival of Tibet.

Saga Dawa means the Disu month in the Tibetan language; Disu is one of the 28 constellations of astrology in Tibetan calendar. Because the Disu appears in the fourth month of Tibetan calendar, this month is called as the Disu month, i.e. Saga Dawa.



According to the legend, it was all on the 15th of the fourth month when the Lord Buddha Sakyamuni were born, achieved enlightenment and passed away, so various activities are held to commemorate Sakyamuni in this month of every year. All the activities on the Festival constitute the large-scale activity of Zhuanjing (circumambulation).

God in haven is believed to descend to the mortal world on this day. Incense is burnt in large scales and picnicking is enjoyed in the public parks.

The 15th day of the fourth month on the Tibetan calendar is said to be the birthday of Sakyamuni, and the day when he died and attained Nirvana. During this period, hundreds of thousands of people turn their prayer wheels on the street in Lhasa, and then paddle boats in the Dragon King Pool, and sing and dance in the afternoon.

Saga Dawa Festival on April 15 marks the birth, transcendence and death of Sakyamuni. Pilgrims and secular folks will visit Lhasa and the festival is observed by turning prayer wheels, having vegetarian lunch and a picnic by the Dragon King Pond. Folk entertainers will perform Tibetan tradition; they will pay their homage to Buddha, observe a vegetarian rule, refrain from killing domestic animals and give out alms during the month.

The most important festival for Tibetan Buddhism, the 'Saka Dawa Festival' commemorates Shakyamuni's Buddhahood and the death of his mortal body. At every monastery sutras are recited and 'Cham' dances are performed. It is said that good deeds in the month of this festival deserve 300 fold in return and this leads many people to donate large sums to the religious orders, monasteries and to the beggars that gather at this time of year.



As the holiest in Tibet, there memorable occasions coincide on this day, Buddha's birth and Buddha's enlightenment. Almost every person within Lhasa joins in circumambulations round the city and spend their late afternoon on picnic at "Dzongyab Lukhang" park at the foot of Potala.