In this message celebrating the full moon day of celebration of the birth, enlightenment and passing of the historical Buddha, Professor Thurman gives an extended teaching on how Saka Dawa is celebrated by Tibetans across the world.

Saka Dawa, named for the star, Vishakha, prominent during the fourth month in the Tibetan lunar calendar, is almost the same as the Theravadin observance of Vesak. It is considered the most sacred month for remembering the great achievement of Shakyamuni Buddha in the 6th BCE century (earlier in the Tibetan calendar). H. H. the Dalai Lama and all Tibetan Buddhist monks and laity celebrate this holiday.

In this Podcast Robert A.F. Thurman gives an overview of the Buddhist holiday, a detailed accounting of the details of the Buddha’s Enlightenment as revealed by Indian Buddhist Sanskrit literature and Tibet’s yogic tradition.

Podcast includes: an introduction to the four major schools of Buddhism found in China, details on the practice of vegetarianism during Buddhist Holidays, the symbolism behind the Buddha’s “Earth Witness” mudra made upon being challenged by Mara the Evil One, just before Siddhartha attained unexcelled enlightenment; and how traditional Chinese people were quite tolerant of diversity in religion and ideology, as “Confucians in office, Taoist for weddings, birth ceremonies, and in retirement, and Buddhist for funerals, meditations, and scientific philosophies.”

Includes a teaching on the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths and mentions Professor Thurman’s Four Nobler Truths, based on the White Lotus and Great Total Nirvana Sutras.

To listen to more recordings from past programs with Robert A.F. Thurman at Tibet House US in New York City + Menla in Phoenicia, New York in the Catskills please consider becoming a Tibet House US Member.

The song ‘Dancing Ling’ by Tenzin Choegyal from the album ‘Heart Sutra‘ (2004) by Ethno Super Lounge is used on the Bob Thurman Podcast with artist’s permission, all rights reserved.