The Tibetan Buddhist Calendar
The Tibetan calendar is based on lunar cycles not solar cycles. The lunar cycle is less than 30 days. Our year is divided into 12 months. There are techniques applied to compensate for the difference between the 12 lunar cycles and the actual 365 +/- days of the year. So in the Tibetan Calendar, sometimes dates appear double or sometimes not at all.
We have given some information about special days that are important in the Tibetan Calendar. Meditation practice is strongly recommended for these days. However, every moment that we have life is a precious moment that we should be mindful to experience. Therefore, every day, every moment, is important for meditation.
MAJOR CELEBRATION DAYS
There are major celebration days or "Festivals" (düchen) in a year which relate to the life of Buddha Shakyamuni. During these days, it is said that the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied 100 million times. We should be mindful of our actions especially on these days. Meditation practice is strongly encouraged.
Chotrul Düchen: During the first two weeks of the new year (Losar). Depending on the calendar, this time usually occurs during January or February. During the time of the Buddha, the Buddha displayed a miracle each day to increase the merit and devotion of future disciples. The 15th of the 1st month is the "Day of Miracles". In Tibetan and Bhutan, many people choose to be vegetarian and avoid meat products during this time.
Saga Dawa Düchen: the 15th of the 4th month, Buddha Shakyamuni's Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana are celebrated. He was born in Lumbini (current-day Nepal) became enlightened in Bodhgaya (India) and entered parinirvana ("passed away") in Kushinagar (India). This day usually occurs during the month of May.
Chökhor Düchen: the 4th of the 6th month, the "First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma" (first teaching) is celebrated. For the first seven weeks after his Enlightenment, Buddha did not teach. Encouraged by Indra and Brahma, he then gave his first teachings at Sarnath on the Four Noble Truths. This day usually occurs during the month of July or August.
Lhabab Düchen: the 22nd of the 9th month, 'Buddha Shakyamuni's Descent from the Heaven of 33' is celebrated. Buddha's mother had been reborn in Indra's heaven. To repay her kindness and to benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months teaching in the Heaven of 33 to help liberate beings in this God realm. This day usually occurs during the month of November.
SOLAR AND LUNAR ECLIPSES
During a partial solar eclipse the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied by 10,000. During partial lunar eclipse, the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied by 1000 times. It is strongly advised to be mindful of our actions during these eclipses and meditation practice is strongly encouraged.
MONTHLY RECURRING DATES
There are certain auspicious days that are recognized every month. These certain dates on the lunar calendar have special significance. On the Buddha days (the full moon, new moon and Medicine Buddha days), positive and negative actions are multiplied by 100. We encourage that meditation practice is especially done during these days. You will see a "tsok" is recommended on certain days. Even if you do not have a simple tsok, practice meditation.
* Tibetan Day 8th : Medicine Buddha Day: For those who have Medicine Buddha Practice, you should do this practice or you can at least say the Medicine Buddha mantra (short or long) as much as possible. If you do not have the mantra or practice, then complete your own practice this day with a tsok. The effects of your actions or karma, either positive or negative, are multiplied 100 times so it is very beneficial to do practice.
* Tibetan Day 10th, Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) Day: The day celebrates Guru Rinpoche who renounced his kingdom, practiced yoga and meditation and then eventually attained liberation. Guru Rinpoche proliferated Buddhism in India, Nepal, Tibetan and Bhutan and did many miraculous events. If you have the Guru Rinpoche practice, then complete this practice with a tsok. If you do not, then do your own meditation practice with a tsok.
* Tibetan Day 15th, Full Moon  : Amitabha Buddha or 1000 Buddha Day: This is a day to remember and observe all Buddhas. You should have a tsok and can complete the Buddha Sakyamuni practice or your own meditation practice. It is always important to practice on a new moon. Our actions are multiplied by 100 times on this day so practice is very important. You can have a simple tsok and offer a candle on this day.
* Tibetan 25th Day, Dakini's day: On this day, Lama Karma recommends completing the Green Tara practice with a tsok or your own practice in remembrance of Yeshe Tshogyel and Mandarava, two of Guru Rinpoche’s consorts.
* Tibetan 29th Day, Mahakala Day: For those who have Mahakala Practice, Lama Karma recommends you should complete this practice. If you do not have this practice, then complete your own practice.
* Tibetan Day, 30th, New Moon  : Buddha Sakyamuni Day: This is a day to remember and observe all Buddhas. You should have a tsok and can complete the Buddha Sakyamuni practice or your own meditation practice. The effects of your actions, either positive or negative are multiplied by 100 times so it is very beneficial to do practice.
What is a Tsok?
A tsok is when offerings (usually food or drink) are placed on or next to a shrine during a special meditation practice day. The offerings are given and offered to the Buddhas and the retinues of the Buddhas, the Dharma (the teachings of the Buddha) and the Sangha (followers of Buddha’s teachings). The “Buddha, Dharma and Sangha” is also known as the “3 Jewels” and is one of Buddha’s first major teachings. There can be very formal tsoks or very simple ones especially if you are doing one yourself. A simple tsok could be an offering as simple as a 7 small bowls of water, a candle and incense. It can also include: a glass of juice, wine or milk; a few fruits; and/or a few sweets. There are also larger tsoks with groups of people that can include more offerings including: bowls of water, bowls of rice, fruits, cookies, candles, incense and tormas that are made for the occasion. The offerings have a symbolic meaning.
The Enlightened deities are not in need of any of these offerings for themselves. Offering these them or not offering to them, will not give them pleasure or displeasure towards us. Giving offerings is a way in which we give “outside” of ourselves. We think of the Buddha and have gratitude. We think of teachings that are guiding us on the path of Enlightenment. We think of all sentient beings and have compassion for sufferings and that all beings will be liberated from Samsara (this world of illusion that we reside in). We pray that the offerings help to alleviate the suffering of sentinet beings. This is a way that we develop ourselves to be less centered on the “I” ourselves and understand things more broadly. Eventually, we can understand that all is inherently non-existent; that our concepts are viewed only through our mind but is not absolute reality.
You can set up your tsok either on a shrine or sacred place in your home. Then complete your meditation practice. After you finish your meditation practice, eat and enjoy what you have offered and share with yourself and others. If you have offered water, give the water to the plants inside or to something outside. Do not place the water from the bowls down the drain. If you choose, place some offerings outside for animals and the hungry ghosts.
To help people become more aware of auspicious days and events in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar, we will be updating the monthly calendar below periodically.
The dates in "Red" are the corresponding Tibetan Days. The days in "Black" are the traditional Western days on the calendar
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