The Sanghata Sutra is a direct record of a teaching that was given by Buddha Shakyamuni on Vulture’s Peak in Rajagriha.
The Sanghata Sutra is one of a special set of sutras called dharma-paryayas, or ‘transformative teachings’ that function to transform those who hear or recite them in particular ways. One very powerful benefit is that at the time of death, any person who has recited the Sanghata Sutra will have visions of Buddhas who will come to comfort them during the death process. A further benefit is that wherever the Sanghata Sutra is established, the Buddhas are always present, as explained in the text itself. As such, the recitation can bestow a powerful blessing on the place where it is recited.
In general, the recitation of Mahayana sutras is one of the six virtuous practices specifically recommended for purification, and the recitation of this sutra in particular has far-reaching karmic consequences that last for many lifetimes, as the Sanghata Sutra itself explains in detail. Within the sutra, the Buddha provides numerous descriptions of the ways in which the sutra works on those who recite it to clear away their seeds of suffering, and to assure their future happiness all the way up enlightenment.
On a number of occassions Lama Zopa Rinpoche requested students to recite the Sanghata Sutra as well as copy the sutra by hand with gold. (https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/arya-sanghata-sutra)
What is happening?
We are inviting members and friends to participate in Sanghata Sutra Recitation and/or writing out the sutra to benefit both yourselves, Kunsang Yeshe and His Holiness the Dalia Lama.
If you choose to recite the Sutra it may be done at your leisure. A PDF version will be made available to you so that you can read a few pages as your time permits. We will ask you to keep a tally of the numbers of times you complete the Sutra. This will enable a cumulative tally to be made.
If you would like to participate in writing the Sutra, we will be holding afternoon tea sessions over the next few months. Come for half an hour, an hour or take some pages to complete at home. Again we would like to tally the number of times the Sutra is written out.
We will be dedicating the merit of this effort to the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for the flourishing of Kunsang Yeshe Retreat Centre. By participating in the event you will gain oceans of merit for yourselves.
If you are interested in this activity please click the button below and complete relevant details to indicate the activity you would like to particiapte in. Note the PDF reading version and the printable versions are different.
Dates: Sunday 31st May – Saka Dawa – special event and launch
We wil continue writing the Sanghata Sutra on the following dates
Saturday 13th June
Saturday 27th June
The above sessions and outcomes will be dedicated to the long life of HH The 14th Dalai Lama.
Further sessions will be subject to interest.
Time: 2pm
Location for writing Sutra: in the Gompa, 116 Bathurst Road, Katoomba.
Note: The sutra for reading/recitation will be downloadable through your ticket confirmation.
Other Saka Dawa Activities
There are many other ways you may also choose to celebrate Saka Dawa. Some are once off and others like the Mani Retreat Recitation are ongoing. There are also a number of teachings available (click on the link under Global Mani Retreat for dates and times).
Saka Dawa runs from May 17 to June 25. Any of the activities below may be practiced at any time.
Please refer to Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s advice for merit multiplying days, in particular:
- Taking the eight Mahayana precepts: students can receive the lineage of these precepts from a specially produced video of Lama Zopa Rinpoche granting them, recorded in 2020 at Kopan Monastery.
- Reciting the Sutra Remembering the Three Jewels
- The 2026 GLOBAL MANI RETREAT is scheduled to commence on the first day of Saka Dawa month (Sunday, May 17, 2026), and conclude on the final Buddha Day for this year, Lhabab Duchen (Sunday, November 1, 2026). This retreat will be something unprecedented for our global FPMT family. Please read all about this special retreat and consider incorporating it into your program for the month of Saka Dawa.
Swift Return Prayers for Lama Zopa Rinpoche – taking advantage of this merit-making opportunity!