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Saka Dawa Düchen is one of the four major Buddhist holy days in the Tibetan tradition. It is also observed in many Theravada and Vajrayana communities as Vesak, making it a rare occasion that brings together Buddhists from diverse traditions to celebrate the Buddha’s life and teachings. While observances vary from one tradition to another, the day highlights the shared values that unite Buddhist communities around the world.
Saka Dawa is considered an especially auspicious time for Dharma practice. Throughout the month, and particularly on May 31, centers, projects, services, and study groups across the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) marked the occasion with pujas, teachings, animal liberation practices, acts of generosity, and community gatherings.
In this special edition, we share a sample of how the FPMT mandala observed the holy month. We will also soon feature a dedicated story on the three-day Vesak celebration in Singapore, organized annually by Amitabha Buddhist Centre.
We hope these highlights inspire rejoicing in the many expressions of practice, service, and community taking place throughout our global FPMT family.
Saka Dawa Düchen at Chokyi Gyaltsen Center, Malaysia, Photo courtesy of Chokyi Gyaltsen Center’s Facebook page.
(International) On Saka Dawa Duchen, the FPMT Puja Fund , on behalf of the entire FPMT organization, sponsored two recitations of the 100,000 Praises to the Twenty-One Taras, the recitation of the Guhyasamaja Root Tantra, 1,000 Offerings to Buddha Namgyalma, Medicine Buddha Puja and recitations of Jampal Tshen Jo (Chanting the Names of Manjushri). Offerings were made to all the sangha undertaking these practices and to all of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s gurus. The stupas of Boudhanath and Swambyunath in Nepal were freshly painted, and the umbrellas at the pinnacle of each stupa was replaced, and a new set of robes offered to the Buddha statue in the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya. The merit generated by these activities was dedicated for the swift return of our most precious guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche; for the success of all the centers and projects of the FPMT organization; all the students, volunteers, and benefactors.
(International) The FPMT Global Mani Retreat launched on May 17, 2026, the first day of Saka Dawa month, bringing together practitioners from around the world in a collective effort to accumulate one hundred million recitations of OM MANI PADME HUM. Ven. Sarah Thresher led group practice on Saka Dawa from the very same place where, exactly 56 years ago—and also in the holy month of Saka Dawa—Lama Zopa Rinpoche first led a Chenrezig fasting retreat at the behest of the local community. . Ven. Sarah also explained how the Chenrezig practice, Nyung-na, and 100 Million Mani retreat all came from Lawudo
Kopan Monastery, Nepal, water bowl offerings. Saka Dawa, 2026, photo courtesy of Kopan Monastery.
(Kopan, Nepal) The Sangha of Kopan Monastery engaged in the recitation of the Kangyur texts during Saka Dawa, dedicating the merit that all families and friends be blessed with peace, wisdom, and compassion, and that all beings benefit from these prayers. The monks also completed one Nyung Nä, while the community at Kopan Nunnery completed eight Nyung Nä retreats. In Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s room, a group of monks offered a Yamantaka short self-initiation, Lama Chopa (Guru Puja) with Tsog, and many offerings. Venerable Tenzin Namdrol organized water bowl offerings in front of the Thousand Buddhas.
Animal liberation on Saka Dawa. June 2026, Vajrayana Institute,Australia. Photo courtesy of Vajrayana Institute,’s Facebook page
(Australia) At Vajrayana Institute, the day began with an animal blessing, people and animals circumambulated holy objects — including holy images, relics, statues, stupas, and texts — while reciting prayers and mantras as advised by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Saka Dawa at Buddha House. June 2026, Buddha House , Australia. Photo courtesy of Buddha House,’s Facebook page
At Buddha House, students came together as a community to celebrate Saka Dawa. The community took Precepts vows and offered the Bathing the Buddha ceremony in the afternoon, recited Chanting the Names of Manjushri, made extensive offerings, and closed the evening with a Shakyamuni Buddha Puja. At Chenrezig Institute, the team raised the large Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka in the Nalanda Masters Garden. During the day, they offered extensive water bowls in front of the thangka, prayers, special Dharma Kids activities, and sutra writing, closing with a Medicine Buddha Puja. The Atisha Centre offered a light offering ceremony, circumambulating the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion and chanting the Shakyamuni mantra, with a talk by Geshe Rabten. All donations supported the completion of the new Machig Labdron Nunnery gompa. The Tara Institute celebrated Saka Dawa with a puja attended by more than 160 people. A separate group of students engaged in an all-day practice session of prostrations, prayers, and meditations.
(New Zealand) At Chandrakirti Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Geshe Tharchin taught the final two Sunday classes of the term for the public meditation class, followed by a community lunch and a Guru Puja Tsog in the evening.
(India) Tushita Meditation Centre offered a guided morning meditation (hybrid), followed by a Dharma movie, sutra reading, a public teaching by Venerable Thubten Wangdu — What the Buddha Taught — a Medicine Buddha Puja, and a light offering ceremony with Sangha. At Root Institute all sponsor donations for the day were offered to sponsor a Guru Puja at Namgyal Monastery and to make money offerings to the Sangha, together with extensive flower and butter lamp offerings at Mahabodhi Stupa, offering of robes to Shakyamuni Buddha, and hanging prayer flags at Mahabodhi Stupa. All sponsors’ names and dedications were also read at Mahabodhi Stupa.
Gyudmed Tantric Monastery recited the Guhyasamaja Root Tantra for the benefit of all beings, for the FPMT organization and family, and the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Sera Je and Sera Mey Sangha recited 100,000 praises to Tara dedicated to all beings.
Root institute’s offerings at the Mahabodhi Stupa for Saka Dawa, June 2026. . Photo courtesy of Root institute’s Facebook page
Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat and His Eminence the 14th Siling Tongkhor Rinpoche for Saka Dawa, June 2026. Photo courtesy of Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat’s Facebook page
(Malaysia) Rinchen Jangsem Ling Retreat Centre welcomed His Eminence the 14th Siling Tongkhor Rinpoche, who is pictured blessing the Buddha bath. The Losang Dragpa Centre offered a thousand offerings. At Chokyi Gyaltsen Center, Geshe Tenzin Deyang led special prayers, the gompa was adorned with extensive offerings, and the strong participation from the community made the occasion meaningful and uplifting.
(Taiwan) Shakyamuni Center and Jinsiu Farlin Center, following a two-day intensive Thousand-Arm Guanyin retreat, celebrated Saka Dawa with a Buddha bath ceremony.
(Singapore) Amitabha Buddhist Centre (ABC) celebrated Vesak over three days in commemoration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. For the occasion, a twenty-foot Maitreya Buddha statue was installed as a central highlight of this year’s celebrations, offering an inspiration toward love and compassion for the benefit of all beings. We will also soon be sharing an inspiring story of the behind-the-scenes work and dedication offered by ABC to put on an event like this.
(France) At Institut Vajra Yogini, the Saka Dawa program with Geshe Loden began with taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts and Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa, followed by Shakyamuni Buddha Puja, Tara prayers, animal liberation, Bodhisattva Vows with Geshe Loden, and Refuge Practice, closing with Lama Chopa (Guru Puja).
At Nalanda Monastery, the Saka Dawa program similarly began with taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts and Guru Yoga of Lama Tsongkhapa, followed by the Practice of Chenrezig as part of the FPMT Global Mani Retreat and animal liberation. After the community lunch, students read sutras in the main gompa and performed Lama Chopa (Guru Puja) and Tsog light offerings.
The Kalachakra Center opened Saka Dawa by broadcasting in French the teaching of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama on the Buddha’s past lives (the Jataka tales). After a community lunch, students listened to readings from the Jataka tales, followed in the afternoon by Guru Yoga practice with Venerable Gyaltsen, and concluding with a teaching by Geshe Dakpa on the life of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Animal liberation during Saka Dawa at Nalanda Monastery, France, June 2026. Photo courtesy of Nalanda Monastery’s Facebook page.
(Germany) At Tara Mandala Center, during both the Nyung Nä Retreat and Saka Dawa, many people dedicated themselves to preparations and activities with great care. Approximately 400 lives were rescued from death by fishing hook, blessed with mantras and prayers, and released. Prayer flags in the Tara Mandala garden were renewed and hung, extensive offerings were made, and sutras were recited for several hours. At Aryatara Institute, Saka Dawa began with taking the Eight Mahayana Vows with Venerable Thubten Drolma, followed by Medicine Buddha Puja and Shakyamuni Buddha Puja.
Plaque with the face of Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche. Romania, Saka Dawa 2026. Photo courtesy of Garden of Maitreya’s website
(Romania) The three FPMT groups welcomed Saka Dawa Düchen, each in their own way, but all with the same heart turned toward Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. White Mahakala Study Group offered a community gathering — a welcome opportunity to reconnect, practice together, and strengthen the bonds of Dharma. Grupul de Studiu Tara Alba (White Tara) offered a Lama Chopa (Guru Puja) with Tsog. Garden of Maitreya Study Group, on the shore of the Black Sea, placed a plaque bearing the face of Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava as a blessing for the countless beings that live in the depths and for the entire region, followed by a modest Tsog offering on the sand of the shore.
(UK) The community of Jamyang London Buddhist Centre gathered in the gompa for sutra recitation and precepts with Geshe Namdak in the morning; in the evening, the Tibetan community gathered for prayer and practice. At Jamyang Leeds, the community joined for morning prayers led by Venerable Barbara, followed by chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri and a Vajrasattva Puja for Saka Dawa Düchen.
Centro La Sabiduría de Nagarjuna for Saka Dawa, Bilbao, June 2026. Photo courtesy of Centro La Sabiduría de Nagarjuna’s Facebook page
(Spain) Centro La Sabiduría de Nagarjuna‘s director, Koke, and SPC Elena attended the Saka Dawa celebration alongside other Buddhist centers in Bilbao.
(Switzerland) At Lhagsam Tibetan Meditation Center, the community gathered for Shakyamuni Buddha Puja, meditation, dedications, and long-life prayers.
(USA and Brazil) At Tubten Kunga Ling Center and at Centro Shiwa Lha (Brazil) students met in person and online to take the Eight Mahayana Precepts led by Venerable Kalden.
Land of Medicine Buddha for Saka Dawa, May 2026. Photo courtesy of 100,000 Stupa Project at Land of Medicine Buddha’s Facebook page
(USA) At Ocean of Compassion Buddhist Center, the community led by Ven. Angie took the Eight Mahayana Precepts and participated in a Medicine Buddha Puja. In Land of Medicine Buddha the community celebrated Saka Dawa over the weekend. On Saturday, Venerable Angie led the animal liberation practice, Venerable Samten led the light offerings, chanting of the Names of Noble Manjushri, and prostrations to the Thirty-Five Confession Buddhas. On Sunday, following a morning meditation with Venerable Yangchen, an extensive Medicine Buddha Puja was offered. At Tse Chen Ling Center, students gathered for a morning Mani Retreat session, followed by a Medicine Buddha Puja.
Kurukulla Center for Saka Dawa, June 2026. Photo courtesy of Kurukulla Center’s Facebook page
The Kurukulla Center‘s gompa was filled with the local Tibetan community, who gathered on the holy day for Lama Chopa (Guru Puja) and a community lunch. Prayers continued throughout the day to create merit and benefit for all beings. They also celebrated the Interfaith Celebration with so many distinguished guests and attendees united together in the mutual goal of promoting world peace and harmony. The Shantideva Meditation Center held a Puja Practices Day offering animal liberation and a Cittamani Tara Puja. The community gathered to create a merit-building space by offering water bowls and arranging tsatsas and other holy objects. They then circumambulated 1,000 worms while reciting mantras. These worms had been rescued from being sold as live mealworms, blessed, and then placed in a safe composting bin where they could continue living in a protected environment.
Shantideva Meditation Center, June 2026. Photo courtesy of Shantideva Meditation Center’s Facebook page
We Want to Hear Your Story!
The news are sourced from the social media, newsletters, annual reports, websites, and WhatsApp groups of FPMT centers, projects, and services. If you would like to share your news and highlights with the wider FPMT family, we would be so happy to hear from you!
In addition to these highlights, please also read longer community news stories and news from around the world!
Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), is a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.