16/05/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐: ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ (17th May to 15th June 2026)
Saga Dawa is one of the holiest months for Buddhists around the world. It is the fourth lunar month in the Bhutanese calendar and is believed to mark the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha Sakyamuni.
The most important day of this sacred month is Duchen Nga Zom, the full moon day on 31st May 2026. According to Buddhist teachings, this day remembers five great events in the Buddhaโs life:
โข His conception
โข His birth
โข His victory over Mara (evil forces)
โข His enlightenment
โข His parinirvana
Saga Dawa is known as the โMonth of Meritsโ because good actions done during this time are believed to bring much greater positive karma. At the same time, harmful actions are also believed to have stronger negative effects.
The Buddha taught that merit comes mainly through:
โข Generosity โ helping others without expecting anything back
โข Ethical living โ avoiding harmful actions and living honestly
โข Meditation and mindfulness โ training the mind toward wisdom and peace
During this month, many people try to become kinder, more compassionate and more mindful in daily life. Even small acts of goodness are considered very meaningful.
Common practices during Saga Dawa include:
โข Avoiding meat and following vegetarianism
โข Offering food and support to monasteries and monks
โข Reciting prayers and mantras
โข Visiting monasteries and sacred places
โข Lighting butter lamps and incense
โข Saving animals from slaughter
โข Helping the poor and needy
โข Practicing kindness and compassion toward all beings
In Bhutan, the sale of meat is suspended during this sacred month as an act of compassion and protection for animals.
Saga Dawa reminds us to live with compassion, mindfulness and love for all beings. It is a special time to reflect on our actions, purify negative thoughts and strengthen positive qualities in our lives.
May this sacred month bring peace, happiness, wisdom and blessings to all sentient beings.
Phub Dorji Wang
โ๐๐
ฐ๐๐
ท๐
ธ ๐
ณ๐
ด๐
ป๐
ด๐
บ!โ
"As Bodhicitta is so precious, May those without it now create it, May those who have it not destroy it, And may it ever grow and flourish."
