Dharma Dates for August 2022: Lord Buddha’s First Teaching and Lord Ksitigarbha’s Birthday and much more to celebrate: lunar to western calendar conversion

During August, 2022, there are many meritorious Dharma Dates to celebrate, including one of the four larger Shakyamuni Buddha celebrations. On the four Holy Days of Shakyamuni Buddha, your merit is multiplied, especially if practiced with Bodhichitta, Metta (love), and Karuna (compassion). Please see our updated annual Dharma Calendar here>>

Shakyamuni Buddha’s First Teaching — August 1

The most important day is Monday, August 1, 2022, the celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s first teaching (Chokhor Duchen), and Sangha Day!  “On these holy days, the power of any meritorious action is multiplied by 100 million, as taught in the vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic.” — Lama Zopa

Ksitigarbha’s Birthday Anniversary — August 26

On August 26 (on the western calendar, converted from lunar 30th day of the 7th month) we celebrate the glorious savior Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha. [For an extensive feature on Ksitigarbha, see>>]

Obon (or Bon) — Ancestor Day August 13

Lineage is important in many Buddhist traditions — not only teaching and sutra lineages, but also ancestor lineages.

Obon (お盆) or Bon (盆) is the Japanese Buddhist annual festival to honor the spirits of the ancestors. This Buddhist tradition began as an ancestral tradition to visit and clean family graves. The custom began more than 500 years and often includes a dance, known as Bon Odori.

Even for those who do not, by custom, follow this tradition, this is a day — in lunar tradition — that spirits return to visit relatives. Setting out a table with food and incense for the loved-ones who have passed to their next lives is a worthy celebration for anyone.

Recurring Monthly Lunar Practice Dates

Each month, in Tibetan Buddhism, we celebrate with extra offerings and celebrations on several auspicious and meritorious puja or offering days: