PHOTOS: Buddha’s (Tibetan) Birthday In Paia

By Madeline Ziecker

Maui Dharma Center's Tibetan stupa, decorated for Buddha's birthday. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.

For Monday evening’s Paia pedestrians, it was hard to walk by the town’s Maui Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center without noticing and appreciating the decorative lights displayed on the temple’s Peace Stupa in honor of the historic Buddha’s birthday.

In the Tibetan tradition, the spiritual teacher’s birthday and holy day is known as “Saga Dawa.” The Paia celebration began on Saturday and Sunday nights with prayer and dedication commemorating important events in the Buddha’s life – his birth, death, and attaining of nirvana.

Visitors gathered at 5 p.m. for a traditional Tibetan ceremony and offering of 108 lotus flower lights led by the temple’s Spiritual Director Lama Gyaltsen and special guests.

Buddhist and secular visitors alike enjoyed talking story about Buddha and offering prayer under the full moon, surrounded by light in many forms.

For more information on upcoming events at the Maui Tibetan Buddhist Dharma Center, call 579-8076 or email mauidharma@eathlink.net.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	Photo by Madeline Ziecker.
Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD Photo by Madeline Ziecker.