May 22, 2024
SAGADAWA IN RITOMA — ས་ག་ཟླ་བ།
Sagadawa is marked on the full moon of the fifth lunar month and due to its astrological significance it is a holy month during which merit is believed to count manifold over that accumulated at any other time.
The whole month is a time devoted to religious practice and celebrations and people celebrate by making prostrations, taking vegetarian vows, saving animal lives and giving alms to the poor.
Each monastery has its own way of celebrating, and in Ritoma, Sagadawa is marked every year by a ceremony and the unfurling of the Great Thangka in the village. The Thangka features the Maitreya deity, the Buddha of the future who represents love and compassion.
The ceremonial unfurling blesses the land, bringing people together to pray and celebrate, accumulating merit that will reap benefits in the next life.
Monks play ceremonial instruments on their way to the unfurling on the Great Thangka wearing ceremonial Gelukpa hats, some carry a parasol, a symbol of protection and one of the eight auspicious symbols. Butter lamp sculptures are created for the celebration, and monks lead prayers at the unfurling while locals watch on.
