Tibetan Calendars

There are at least two different Tibetan calendars.  The one that is still in most widespread use is a very old one based on the Phukluk system.  To bring the calendar into alignment with observable constellations and seasons, the 3rd Karmapa Rangjung Dorje (1284-1339) made revisions.  As of February 2009, this revised Tsurluk calendar is the one we are using. 

You may have noticed that the Chinese and Tibetan New Years corresponded closely in 2007 & 2008, but in 2009 there was a month's difference.

We try to integrate the Nalandabodhi calendar, prepared under the direction of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, with input from the one from Rigpa (under Sogyal Rinpoche.)  When there is a discrepancy we use information from the first one.  Both are available at Snow Lion.

Introductory explanations (Snow Lion Publications) :

Chotrul Düchen: The first fifteen days of the Tibetan Buddhist year are celebrated in commemoration of the 15 days on which,  in order to increase the merit and aid devotion of future disciples,  Buddha displayed a different miracle each day.

Anniversaries which fall in doubled months are usually celebrated in the second month, although they may also be celebrated in the first month if that is more convenient for the practitioner.  Here, dates of anniversaries are indicated in the repeated month.

*100, 000 multiplying month; practice is emphasized.

**Buddha's Day -- on these days the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied 100 times.
          8th Day - Medicine Buddha
        15th Day - Amitabha Buddha
        30th Day - Shakyamuni Buddha

**The four Great Festivals (düchen) of the year relate to the life of Buddha Shakyamuni, at which time the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied . . .  .

**Guru Rinpoche Day - Celebrated on the 10th of the Tibetan month.

**Dakinis' Day - Celebrated on the 25th of the Tibetan month.

**Dharmapalas' Day - the 29th of the Tibetan month.

**Sojong - (a practice of confession) instituted by Vasubandu, a "Second Buddha"
On sojong days the observance of the Eight Vows of Mahayana Sojong (to refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and intoxication; not to take a high or luxurious seat, not to sing, dance or wear ornaments, and not to eat after midday) of the practice of Narak Kong Shak is recommended.

Sojong (Practice of Confession) by Supreme Master Padmasambhava, the Second Buddha:        

        To fully restore all positivity,
        To clear away all negativity;
        To replenish (
so) virtue and purify (jong) harmful deeds;
        The Tathagata has taught the practice of
Sojong.

**In this timeline the western days of the month are listed first, then the Tibetan days in parentheses.

**In the Tibetan system sometimes days are doubled or omitted.  Special days which fall on double days are usually celebrated on the second day, but may be celebrated on the first day if more convenient for the practitioner.  Special days which fall on missing days are usually celebrated on the preceding day.

When it is inauspicious to hang prayer flags is also indicated.  Generally, Monday is not a good day to hang flags and Friday is very good. 

 ___________________________________________________________

~ Year of the Earth Cow, Tibetan Year 2136  ~  

May 2009

1 [7]

9 [15] [Buddha taught Kalachakra text]

10 [No new flags]

4th Tibetan Month [Saga Dawa = Month of the Shakya-muni]

25 [1] [No new flags]

26  [US Memorial Day]

27 [Dabsang Rinpoche's birthday]

28

29

30 [7 [6th day is omitted]]  [Birth of Buddha Shakyamuni, Skt. Buddha Purnima]

31

JUNE

1 [9]

2

3

4

5 [13] [no new flags]

6 [14]

7 [15] [SAKA DAWA DUCHEN]

8 [16]

9 [17]

10 [18] ann. Dzogchen Patrul Rinpoche

18 [25] [no new flags] anniv. Ngorchen Kunga Sangpo 

21  [28] Summer Solstice / Fathers' Day

22 [30] Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche

Month 5

23 [1] Terton Chogyur Lingpa

24 [2] 7th Dzogchen Ponlop R.

26 [ 4] HH 17th Karmapa's birthday

29 [7]  anniversary of 11th Tai Situpa Pema Wangchuk Gyalpo

30 [8]

JULY

1 [9]   Canada Day

2 [10]  No new flags

3 [11]

4 [12]  Independence Day (USA)

5 [13] 

6 [14]  (Birthday of HH 14th Dalai Lama.)

7 [15]

8 [16]

9 [17] Dilgo Khyentse's birthday & anniversary of Nyoshul Lungtok

10 [18] Anniversary of Shechen Gyaltsap Pema Gyurme Namgyal

11 [19] Anniversary of Khenpo Ngakchung

12 [20]

12 [21]

14 [22] No new flags.     Bastille Day (France)

15 [23] - 22 [30]

Month 6

23 [1]

24 [*3] *we skip day 2

25 [4] Chokor Duchen: Buddha Shakyamuni taught the Four Noble Truths

26 [5]

27 [6]

28 [7] No new flags

29 [8]

30 [9]

31 [10]  Birth of Guru Padmasambhava & Anniv. 1st Dzogchen Ponlop Namkhai Osel

 

 

 
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INAUSPICIOUS or UNFAVOURABLE DAYS

Though Monday is a good day to hang flags and Friday isvery good,  some Inauspicious Days for Hanging Prayer Flags are: 

 

End of Earth Rat 2135 through Earth Ox 2136,  unlucky days for new flags as per above calendar appear below :

 2009 / 2135- 2136
February 7, 19 

March 6,  18

April 2,  13,  28

May 10,  25

June 5, 18

July 2,  14,  28

Aug. 10, 24

Sept. 5

 

Oct. 2, 13, 28

Nov. 9, 24

Dec. 20

Jan.  ?


Karma Kagyu Anniversaries (Birth of 17th Karmapa was 8th day of 5th Tibetan month,  but is celebrated "internationally" on June 26th.)

Tibetan Month   Day  Anniversary
First 08th new prayer flags
First  08th 6th Karmapa, Tongwa Donden 
First 09th  Long life 7-day practice
First 14th Milarepa
First 15th  Marpa
First 15th 7th Karmapa, Chodrak Gyatso
First   21st  14th Karmapa, Thegchog Dorje
First  24th  13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje
First  28th  9th Karmapa, Wangchuk Dorje
Second  25th  8th Situ, Chokyi Jungne
Third  3rd  2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi
Third  16th  Terton Mingjur Dorje
Fourth  01st  Vajrakila rites, 11 days
Fourth  29th  Mipham
Fifth   01st  Chakrasamvara, 7 days
Sixth  05th  Chod, 5 days
Sixth  14th  3rd Karmapa, Rangjung Dorje
Sixth  15th  Gampopa
Sixth  15th  Varsha (yarney) rain retreat, 45 days
Seventh  04th  13th Karmapa, Dudul Dorje
Seventh  15th  4th Karmapa, Rolpei Dorje
Seventh  21st  Red Chenrezig mandala, 7 days
Eighth  01st  5th Karmapa, Deshin Sharpa
Eighth  23rd  8th Karmapa, Mikyo Dorje
Ninth  01st  Terton Karma Lingpa, 5 days
Ninth  04th  2nd Karmapa, Karma Pakshi
Ninth  09th  16th Karmapa Rigpe Dorje
Tenth  03rd  Vairochana, 7 days
Tenth  30th  12th Karmapa, Chanchup Dorje
Eleventh  03rd  1st Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa
Eleventh  15th  10th Karmapa, Choying Dorje
Eleventh  22nd  Wrathful Dorje Trolo, 9 days
Eleventh  22nd  Dorje Bernachen, 9 day
Eleventh  26th  Jamgon Kongtrul the Great

Calendar Links