SABA, a Charitable Trust founded by Thaye Dorje, H.H. the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, South Asia Buddhist Association

Buddha Purnima Celebration in Kalimpong

May 10, 2017

Kalimpong – Vesākha also known as Buddha Purnima / Buddha Jayanti /Saga Dawa full moon day is the most sacred day in the Buddhist tradition. It is celebrated because it commemorates the three most important events: the birth, enlightenment (nirvāna) and death (parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha.

SABA organises the annual celebration of this auspicious occasion at the Shri Diwakar Vihara in Kalimpong. Also in 2017, the students and many people of the local area participated in decorating the institute with Buddhist flags and flowers out of great respect. The celebration began early in the morning with a special puja, and meditation.

After the morning prayers, a peace procession with 200 monks and lay people to commemorate the that occasion was also conducted in the town of Kalimpong. A Buddha statue was placed on a car for the procession.

The celebration continued after the procession at the compound of Shri Diwarkar Institute, where food and other refreshments were served to everybody.