100 million merit-multiplying period: 5-19 March 2011

Saturday 5 March will be Losar, the Tibetan New Year.  The next 2 weeks between Losar (5 Mar) and the Day of Miracles (19 Mar) commemorates the 15 days of Miracles where The Buddha uncharacteristically displayed his power by performing numerous miracles in response to a challenge from 6 heretical teachers who were non-believers.  At the end of the 2-week period, the Buddha had clearly won the match and as a result all present converted to the practices taught by the Buddha. 

Hence the first full moon in Tibetan lunar calendar is celebrated as the Day of Miracles, or Chotrul Duchen, which falls on 19 March this year, commemorates the final day of miraculous display by the Buddha which lasted 15 days.

As cited by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, quoted in the Vinaya Text "Treasure of Quotations and Logic", these 15 days (5-19 March 2011) are considered to be merit-multiplying days in which any virtue created is multiplied by 100 millions times. So any actions done during this period of time, for better or worse, are multiplied in their power by virtue of being in alignment or out of alignment with the great deeds the Buddha himself did during this same astrological period over 2500 years ago. It is therefore a very powerful time to practice, make offerings and other virtuous activities. Virtuous thoughts and actions are highly encouraged during this time.

Read about the Miraculous Deeds of The Buddha here.

Amitabha Buddhist Centre is celebrating Losar and the 15 holy days with these events: 
Sat 5 Mar 2011,   2.00pm    Recitation of the Golden Light Sutra  
Sat 19 Mar 2011, 7.30pm    Shakyamuni Buddha Puja at 7.30 pm

Happy Losar!!!!!