Peace in Action: Living the Teachings of the Buddha

Join us in celebrating Saga Dawa and Vesak in collaboration with the Buddhist Council of New York. Saga Dawa and Vesak celebrate Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment, and mahaparinirvana, or passing away. Saga Dawa is the holiest month in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar. The merit of any good deeds performed during this month are said to be multiplied many times over—by as many as a hundred million times.

Each one of us holds the potential to enact change through the teachings of the Buddha. In these critical times, when the world yearns for peace and unity, our gathering is more than a celebration of the Buddha; it’s a call to embody the Buddha’s wisdom through acts of harmony, empathy, and compassion within our community and the wider world.

Hosted by Tashi Chodron, Himalayan programs and communities ambassador at the Rubin, this afternoon of reflection will feature Buddhist teachers from a variety of dharma centers leading chants, prayers, rituals, and dharma talks. 

Program Highlights:

• Bathing of the Buddha: A ritual symbolizing purification and renewal, inviting participants to cleanse their minds and spirits.
• Offering Chants and Prayers: A harmonious blend of voices from the Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana traditions, fostering a sense of communal sanctity and peace.
• Short Dharma Talks: Insights from diverse traditions, offering perspectives on how to weave the Buddha’s teachings into the fabric of our daily lives for the betterment of all beings.

The Rubin is becoming a global museum and closing the building on 17th Street on October 6, 2024. As we gather, let us honor this space by filling it with the spirit of unity and the resolve to make a difference.

About Buddhist Council of New York

The Buddhist Council of New York, founded in 1985, is an association of Buddhist Temples and organizations whose mission is to foster dialogue, cooperation and unity within the Buddhist community in the New York City area, as well as to organize events each year such as Meditate NYC; Vesak, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Shakyamuni Buddha, and the Buddhist Forum.

Major support for Himalayan Heritage is provided by The Frederick P. Lenz Foundation for American Buddhism. Special Support is provided by Heather B. Henson.

The Rubin Museum’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Image Credit

Buddha Shakyamuni and Scenes from His Life; Tsang Province, Central Tibet; second half of the 14th century; pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Art; C2011.3 (HAR 77032)