Saga Dawa (sa ga zla ba), also known as Vaisakha, Buddha Jayanti or Wesak, is one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar. While the different Buddhist traditions and schools celebrate Saga Dawa in their own unique ways, most common practices are related to adhering to the Eight Precepts for the day, as it is believed that the merits from all virtuous deeds done on this day are multiplied enormously.
Land blessing ceremony
In 2016, Saga Dawa fell on May 21st, and this auspicious day was celebrated with much pomp and circumstance in many places around the world. Similarly, in the quiet and peaceful town of Sainte-Sophie in Quebec, Canada, a group of dedicated Buddhists gathered to participate in the festivities at Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre, a Tibetan Buddhist temple established by Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche.
In fact, the event was doubly significant as Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre was also celebrating their 30th anniversary. The temple had been originally named Gaden Chang Chub Choling, and was initially established in Montreal by Ven. Zawa Rinpoche’s teacher, Venerable Geshe Khenrab Gajam. Almost 30 years later, Gaden Chang Chub Choling was moved to its present location and renamed Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre by Ven. Zawa Rinpoche, in memory of his Guru’s deepest wish to spread the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa in Canada.
Ven. Zawa Rinpoche leads the peaceful Yamantaka fire puja
Many notable guests were in attendance during the Saga Dawa celebrations, including Ven. Trote Rinpoche, Geshe Kelsang Ringzin and Geshe Palden from Serpom Monastery. The sangha performed a peaceful Yamantaka fire puja as well as a land blessing ceremony on the temple grounds, the first since the centre was inaugurated last year, to bless the environment and all beings that reside within the area.
As the pujas commenced, a circular rainbow formed in the sky and lasted throughout the day. In Tibetan Buddhism, this occurrence is very significant and auspicious, as it embodies peace and harmony between the environment and the beings that live in it.
Below are some beautiful pictures sent by Ven. Zawa Rinpoche. We pray that the lineage and teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa continue to grow in Montreal, Canada and that many may come to practise the Dharma to be free from samsara.
Students arrived early in the morning for the Saga Dawa celebrations
Blessing the temple grounds
An auspicious circular rainbow was seen throughout the celebrations
Extensive offerings for this blessed Saga Dawa celebration
In the main prayer hall of Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre
Ven. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche (right)
Preparations for the peaceful Yamantaka fire puja
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Pastor Niral Patel
Posted on May 30, 2016 #1 AuthorI rejoice whenever I see practitioners celebrating Buddha Jayanti so when i read this my heart soared. Buddha Jayanti is the day in which practitioners remember the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni. For me, this day is also a day to reflect on the kindness of all the great masters and lineage lamas since Lord Buddha’s time. As the vehicles through which the holy Dharma has been kept alive and passed on, they themselves are the most highest of beings, Buddhas themselves.
Because of this the lineage masters and their teachings are of utmost importance to practitioners. It is very reassuring to see that the Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre is upholding the tradition of practicing Dorje Shugden and in fact all of the Dharma practices and teachings they have received from their holy teachers. In this way, the various methods available to Dharma practitioners to alleviate their suffering and gain enlightenment is preserved for the benefit of future generations. What could be more compassionate than that?
Pastor Jean Ai
Posted on June 1, 2016 #2 AuthorThank you for sharing this wonderful news with us! It’s fantastic to see another Dharma centre active and thriving, and spreading Lama Tsongkhapa’s tradition. I have had the pleasure and privilege of visiting Zawa Rinpoche and the place has good energy. It’s set in the middle of the woods, and quiet and peaceful. Canadians are fortunate!
Sarah Yap
Posted on June 2, 2016 #3 AuthorSaga Dawa is one of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar. Nice to see such beautiful and elaborate celebration held at Zawa Rinpoche’s centre. Such a beautiful Dharma centre, looks very peaceful, a place that provide a good environment for Dharma practice and meditations.
justin
Posted on June 3, 2016 #4 AuthorCongratulations to Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre and Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche for this rejoicing news! What a great day to choose for such meritorious activity. Thank you for the great effort in spreading Lama Tsongkhapa’s teachings and i am sure this brilliant news will warm a lot of people’s heart. May the people who come and will come to this center will experience growth in Dharma and whatever beneficial work that they do. May the Dharma grow far and wide!
Lew
Posted on June 4, 2016 #5 AuthorRejoice to hear Buddhists in the other part of the world (I am in Malaysia) is celebrating Wesak with fire puja. It is indeed double blessing
Zawa Tulku Rinpoche has been tirelessly working to promote the Lama Tsongkhapa teaching and lineage. His work is very admirable. It is because of the hard work of all these Lamas that we still have the chance to receive Lama Tsongkhapa’s teaching today.
I wish Zawa Tulku Rinpoche all the success in His Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre and may Lama Tsongkhapa’s teaching spread far and wide from Canada.
Sofi
Posted on June 8, 2016 #6 AuthorIts always nice to read of other dharma centres and I rejoice at the double celebration of Saga Dawa and its 30th Anniversary at Tsongkapa Meditation Centre in Canada. It is set in a beautifully wooded landscape that looks so peaceful. How auspicious for have the rainbow ring around the sun throughout the day of celebration. The centre must indeed be very blessed due to the good samaya of Venerable Zawa Tulku with his Guru, Venerable Geshe Khenrab Gajam by keeping with his Guru’s wishes and maintaining the practices given. How blessed the students and followers are to have Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche as their Guru and a beautiful blessed centre! May the dharma and Lama Tsongkapa’s teachings continue to flourish and spread from this centre.
Fong
Posted on June 12, 2016 #7 AuthorIt is good to see the continuation of a dharma centre like Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre, since it now has been 30 years since its establishment, and it is still growing. Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche must be keeping very clean samaya with his Guru, Venerable Geshe Khenrab Gajam as he is helping to spread the dharma in Canada thus fulfilling his Guru’s deepest wish.
So very auspicious to celebrate the anniversary on Saga Dawa as this day marks the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Buddha Shakyamuni. Even the Buddhas agreed as there was even circular rainbow seen around the sun creating a halo effect.
May the merits gained propel Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre geater growth to benefit sentient beings.
William Chua
Posted on September 7, 2016 #8 AuthorThis is another inspiring story of true guru devotion that Zawa Rinpoche continued on his guru’s centre and the wish to spread Tsongkhapa’s teachings. Zawa Rinpoche has brought his centre to a place where Buddhism is not widely known and continued on with the teachings and traditions, by celebrating Wesak day with prayers and a fire puja to bless the land. Here’s wishing Zawa Rinpoche continued success in his centre and continue to propagate Buddha dharma and Dorje Shugden lineage.
KarenC
Posted on September 7, 2016 #9 AuthorRejoice for the Canadians! It’s really heartwarming to see Lamas who are of same lineage with us are spreading and preserving Dharma in all over the world by establishing centres and keep it alive with different sorts of Dharma activities. Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche is young, dynamic, he dares to speak up his mind and his work is definitely admirable. Few of us had kindly given the precious opportunity to visit Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre last year during its opening. It’s a very beautiful centre with modern set up and added a touch of traditional Tibetan elements. This centre sets amidst in a tranquil green forest which makes it a very conducive environment for engaging in meditation and retreats.
Sock Wan
Posted on September 7, 2016 #10 AuthorRejoice to Zawa Rinpoche, an auspicious sign appeared during the Puja, it meant the beings in that area were very happy to have the presence of the precious Dharma.
It is nice to know Gelug lineage has spread so far to Canada, may Zawa Rinpoche’s Dharma work continue to grow and flourish.
Wylfred Ng
Posted on September 10, 2016 #11 Author随喜佛陀的法教及宗喀巴大师的传承去到了加拿大。 也非常开心看到Zawa Tulku Rinpoche 的弟子们也是以传统的西藏方式在西方国家庆祝卫塞节。
天空出现的彩虹也代表着吉祥的征兆。 我也看到所有人都背着堪珠尔（Kangyur） 环绕中心土地， 仁波切也说过背着堪珠尔经文可以加持土地。
谢谢
Carmen
Posted on September 15, 2016 #12 AuthorIt is not easy to set up a centre, run it, find funds, maintain, etc, and it is all done for the benefit of others. It is a noble and virtuous cause and hats off to Ven. Zawa Tulku Rinpoche for doing so in Canada. It is nice to see traditions of the lineage being conducted at Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre, like a fire puja, and what more, it is on such an auspicious occasion as Wesak. Where there are Sangha, may the community continue to grow, and may the pure lineage spread there forth into many directions. The auspicious signs of the circular rainbow shows that Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre is doing the right thing.
Stella Cheang
Posted on September 17, 2016 #13 AuthorThank you for sharing this article. I learn something new – Wesak Day is also known as Saga Dawa (sa ga zla ba), or Vaisakha, Buddha Jayanti day. Buddhist all over the world view this day as one of the most important dates to observe Buddha’s teaching. Therefore it is encouraging to read about celebration of Wesak Day in the quiet town of Sainte-Sophie in Quebec, Canada. The celebration was hosted by Tsongkhapa Meditation Centre, in conjunction with their 30th anniversary. It is a Tibetan Buddhist temple established by Venerable Zawa Tulku Rinpoche.