The Festival of Lights and Merit celebrates the four most auspicious events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha with offerings of thousands of electric lights, pujas, prayer flags and flowers at the holiest site in the world – the Great Stupa of Enlightenment in Bodhgaya – where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Four Great Buddhist Festivals
- The 15 Days of Miracles
10 February to 24 February 2024
- Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana
23 May 2024
- First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma
10 July 2024
- Descent from the God Realm of the Thirty-three
22 November 2024
Heaps of Blessings
The merit received from making offerings on any of these days is multiplied 100 million times. On top of that, offerings made in Bodhgaya are said to be eight times more powerful.
Festival of Lights & Merit is co-organised by Root Institute for Wisdom Culture and Amitabha Buddhist Centre.
Be a Sponsor
You can be a part of the Festival of Lights and Merit 2024 by sponsoring:
- Up to 100,000 lights adorning the entire Mahabodhi Stupa grounds. The light offerings will be multiplied using Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Extensive Offering Practice.
- Pujas (Tara, Guru and Protector Pujas) to be performed by the Namgyal Monastery monks in Bodhgaya.
- Prayer flags hung around the gardens and lake of the Mahabodhi Stupa.
- Beautiful flower offerings on the grounds of the Mahabodhi Stupa.
*Butter lamps will be offered in enclosed areas on two of the Festival Days instead of electric lights due to expected inclement weather. Additional alternative arrangements may be made if it is not viable to carry out any of these activities due to unforeseen circumstances.
Dedications
Besides personal dedications, the merit from your offerings is dedicated to:
- The long lives of our holy gurus, especially His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as well as all FPMT and teachers.
- The swift return of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s reincarnation.
- The preservation and propagation of the pure Dharma.
- Happiness and success for all sponsors and their loved ones.
- The success of all FPMT projects.
- World peace.
Please submit your sponsorship at least 2 weeks in advance in order for your dedications (if any) to be included into the upcoming Festivals.
