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A new order has been issued in the Tibet Autonomous Region, forbidding participation in religious gatherings to celebrate Saka Dawa, one of the most important Buddhist festivals, and which celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha. The order states,“students, government workers and persons drawing a state pension are not allowed to take part in religious events”, and that failure to adhere to the order will result in “drastic consequences”. Activities are being constantly monitored by increased police patrols. Parents of Tibetan students have been warned to not allow their children to attend the Saka Dawa celebrations.
Saka Dawa, which began on May 23 this year, is a month-long festival which commences with the full moon in the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar. This day is the holiest and most sacred day in Tibetan Buddhism. It is celebrated by Buddhists around the world with special pujas [rituals]; any good deeds performed during the month are rewarded with greatly increased karma, so Saka Dawa usually sees families going on pilgrimages, performing prostrations and circumambulations, chanting mantras and giving donations to monasteries and to the poor.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a special online teaching from his home in Dharamshala saying, “Developing compassion is the best way to follow the Buddha and repay his kindness to us. And along with compassion it’s important to cultivate an understanding of emptiness […] Many of you will be [celebrating] the Buddha and his enlightenment in many different places today. We’ll cultivate bodhichitta together”.
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