Tibetans observe Buddha Jayanti in Gajapati district

Berhampur: About 200 Tibetans broke their day-long fast and vow of silence to observe Saka Dawa with sunrise on Wednesday at Jirang monastery in Gajapati district.
Tibetans celebrate Buddha Jayanti on the full moon day (15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar) as Saka Dawa, which means spiritual cleansing as per the tradition in Tibet.
The 200 people, included 180 lamas of different ages, who prayed at the monastery from Tuesday morning by observing fast and vow of silence to appease Buddha.
“The day is very important for Buddhists as Lord Buddha was born, received enlightenment and nirvana on the same day,” said Khempo Pema, one of the lamas known as Padma Sambhav Mahavihara.
“We give up meat and observe fast. It is time to reflect, introspect and take stock of the actions by minimizing our negative behaviour and focusing on positive thinking,” said a Tibetan settler at Chandragiri. The significance of this year’s festival was the Tibetans have performed special rituals for world peace, he added.
Buddha Purninma was observed on the full-moon day of Baisakh, while Tibetans observe it on the full moon day in Jyestha month of the Odia calendar.
Tibetan settlers in Chandragiri also released live fish in the rivers and ponds to appease Buddha.