The Saga Dawa Festival

Saka Dawa, the birthday of Lord Buddha, has long been one of the most sacred and cherished religious festivals in Tibet and across all Buddhist communities. It is the holiest month in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar.Tibetans dedicate themselves to perform as many good and virtuous deeds as possible, and avoid all negative actions.
According to Buddhist belief, Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and passed into nirvana in this month . For this reason, Saga Dawa holds the utmost importance in Buddhism. During this month, majority of Buddhist practitioners follow a strictly vegetarian diet, which is why it is widely known as the “Vegetarian Month” in Tibet.
Throughout the month, Tibetans across the region take part in various spiritual practices. Many circumambulate sacred sites, embark on pilgrimages, perform full prostrations around the holy place like Jokhang Temple, and observe a vegetarian diet as part of their devotions. Tibetan belief holds that any virtuous act during Saga Dawa brings infinite merit, and a single circumambulation of a sacred place earns thirteen times more merit than on an ordinary day. Following the path taught by Lord Buddha, local Tibetans pray continuously for the happiness, health, and prosperity of all sentient beings, and for peace and harmony across the world.
Tibetans also hold the deep belief that all sentient beings and animals were once our loving parents in past lives. This teaches universal respect for all living creatures, and leads Tibetans to care for and protect animals without causing them harm.
Even today, no matter how much developed in material things, the spirit of Saga Dawa remains unchanged, to do good deeds, knowing that kindness brings goodness in return. Rooted in the belief in reincarnation, Tibetans understand that accumulating virtue in this life paves the way for a better and more fortunate life in the next.
This month offers the perfect opportunity to experience the deep cultural and spiritual bonds at the heart of Tibetan communities. A Tibet tour during this time is truly rewarding as you will witness firsthand the profound devotional practices and rich cultural beauty of Tibet.
As a local Tibetan travel agency, we design a variety of tailored Tibet tours specifically for this sacred month of Saga Dawa, carefully crafted to suit the interests of our international guests.