Drepung Monastery celebrates Saga Dawa Festival of 2012

July,27 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Drepung Monastery in the western suburb of Lhasa held a Grand Summons Ceremony to celebrate the Sagya Dawa Festival of 2012 on Tibetan calendar.

May 20th marked the first day of the Sagya Dawa Festival, one of the most ceremonious religious festivals in Tibet.

Tibetan Buddhist believers from Lhasa and other counties nearby gathered together in the Coqen Hall, the main hall of the Drepung Monastery, to pray for peace and harmony.

During the ceremony, Buddhist believers also gave alms to lamas, who offered them white khada in return.

Awang Quzeng, member of the Drepeng Monastery Administrative Committee, told the reporter that Buddhist followers would go fasting and live in tents set up in the monastery for three days following the ceremony. During the period, they cannot talk with anyone except for reciting Buddhist scriptures.

"They do this out of their own will becuase they regard it as a test to show their respect to the Buddha," said Aawng Quzeng.

Tenzin Lorbu, student of the Lhasa Advanced Middle School 2, attended the ceremony together with five of his classmates.

"Today we came to pay homage to the Buddha. We hope that we could gain good scores in the coming final exam." Lorbu also said he didn't attend such kind of ceremony often since he must focus on his st.

According to Awang Quzeng, the Grand Summons Ceremony will be held at the Drepung Monastery from March 30 till April 15 on Tibetan calendar, which will be from May 21 till June 4. During this time, many tourists also swarm into Lhasa to enjoy wonderful tour for it is a great time to travel to Tibet, with good weather.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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