What Will You Do on Saka Dawa, May 25?

Lama Zopa Rinpoche reading texts while on his exercise bike in Washington State, USA.

On May 25, FPMT celebrates Saka Dawa, one of the four great holy days of the Tibetan calendar, which commemorates the Buddha’s birth, death, and parinirvana. FPMT centers, projects, services and students around the world will engage in virtuous activities – such as taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts, completing nyung näs, and performing Guru Shakyamuni Buddha puja – recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Rinpoche frequently mentions that on great holy days such as Saka Dawa, the merit generated by any wholesome activity is multiplied 100 million times.

FPMT International Office participates in the global Saka Dawa activities by honoring and supporting Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s tireless work for others through the annual Work a Day for Rinpoche campaign. Students and supporters of Rinpoche are encouraged to donate part of their salary earned on Saka Dawa (or visualize making an extensive offering) and recite the Sutra of Golden Light for Rinpoche’s health and long life.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche making offerings to a person in the streets of Hong Kong, 2010.

“When you’re with Rinpoche, the word ‘work’ takes on a whole new meaning,” shares Work a Day for Rinpoche coordinator Justin Jenkins. “I once saw Rinpoche teach for 14 hours straight and immediately after travel to the mountains to do hours of prayers by a lake. I’m happy to coordinate Work a Day for Rinpoche, which is part of my own way of working for Rinpoche and celebrating Saka Dawa.”

Funds from the Work a Day for Rinpoche campaign go to FPMT International Office, which works to support Rinpoche’s vast vision. Your offering benefits the creation of education programs and practice materials; aids all of FPMT’s charitable projects; supports Dharma centers, projects and services; sustains the vast resources on the FPMT website; and more.