26/05/2026
Saga Dawa Duchen Mantra 'Marathon' Recitations 30 - 31 May
Commencing this weekend Saturday 1 pm concluding Sunday 1 pm
Where: Main Gompa, Kamalashila Tibetan Buddhist Centre, 9000 Princes Highway Tilba.
What to bring: Offerings for the shrine, a water bottle, warm comfortable clothing and a mala.
Bookings: are essential by emailing [email protected] - please advise of the times you can attend during that 24 hour period, this is important as we have created a roster so that the mantras are continuously recited for that whole time.
For those who live a long way from the centre and are unable to attend physically, you can now attend via the zoom link which is at the bottom of this email. Those living close to the centre we ask that you attend in person.
Everyone is encouraged to count their mantra recitations so that we can collect them at the end of the 24 hours.
Saga Dawa Duchen is the most holy day, in the most holy of months, Saga Dawa, in the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar. It is a day that commemorates Buddha Shakyamuni’s enlightenment and passing into mahaparinirvana. At the age of 35 Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya India. At the age of 80 Buddha Shakyamuni demonstrated passing into mahaparinirvana in the town of Kushinagar India, after saying “It is the nature of all things that take form to dissolve again. Strive with your whole being to attain perfection.” (Sakya Calendar)
Traditionally, at this time, the lay community conducts this Mantra (marathon) recitation for a 24-hour period. Due to this auspicious time, all our meritorious efforts are multiplied a million times over. It is a very virtuous time to enrich our heart and mind by cleansing our attachment and grasping mind. It is a time not to gain but to give to oneself and all sentient beings.
Meaning of Mantras: Mantras in Vajrayana Buddhism are sacred sound vibrations representing the enlightened body, speech, and mind of a Buddha, acting as tools to guard the mind from suffering and negative karma. They are used for meditation, transformation, and connecting to the essence of specific deities to gain wisdom and compassion.
The goal: To recite as many mantras as possible collectively within a 24-hour period.
How it works: It will be a group nonstop recitation of mantras such as Buddha Shakyamuni mantra, Healing mantra, Compassion mantra, Green Tara mantra and Vajrasattva mantra. The 24-hour program commences at 1pm on Saturday 30 May and concludes 1pm Sunday 31 May.
Participants are welcome to come and go from the gompa and recite as many mantras as possible, in a system of rotating “shifts” of sangha members, so that the mantras never pause or cease during that time but continue nonstop. Attendees can have regular breaks for refreshments. Meals will be offered at staggered times to ensure the recitations continue.
Taking of the 8 Mahayana Precepts: On Sunday morning Khenpo la will lead us in a precept’s ceremony. The 8 Mahayana Precepts are a 24-hour set of vows taken to purify negative karma, accumulate merit, and cultivate the Mahayana motivation to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. These vows, which closely resemble monastic training for one day only, are often taken on full/new moons or holy days, including strict restrictions on eating times, sensory pleasures, and sexual behaviour.
Offerings: This is the most auspicious and meritorious time of year to make offerings. It is highly recommended that you make offerings of flowers and fruit to the shrine. We are now booked out for meal and tea offerings, however you can still make offerings to the shrine and candle offerings by clicking on the tabs below. For those unable to be present during this event, you may choose this as a way of participation.
Candle offerings: https://www.drogmi.org/store/p131/Saga_Dawa_candle_offerings.html
Shrine offerings: https://www.drogmi.org/store/p172/Saga_Dawa_Duchen_Mantra_Marathon%3A__Shrine_offerings_of_flowers_or_fruit.html
ZOOM LINK
Topic: SAGA DAWA DUCHEN - MANTRA 'MARATHON' RECITATIONS
Time: May 30, 2026 01:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87810232282?pwd=pTpxOi9iNaALoUeNr4et0GmbSaG5Lr.1
Meeting chat link
https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/87810232282
Meeting ID: 878 1023 2282
Passcode: 064712
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Join by SIP
• [email protected]
Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/87810232282/invitations?signature=RcKYWT5wfFloEUWYEW3mRa-oaWJuCDkDauSd5yU63eo
