In 2024, Buddhists will again celebrate Sagaalgan. In our country, it is considered the Buryat New Year and belongs to the cult holidays, symbolizing the entrance to a new time and the renewal of both nature and human consciousness. The White Moon holiday is also celebrated by many residents of the Altai and Trans-Baikal Territories, Kamlykia and the Komi Republic.
Sagaalgan
This date has different names for different peoples who support Buddhist postulates. The holiday in 2024 will come to those who are waiting for it:
- Buryats - like Sagaalgan;
- Altai residents - like Chaga-Bayram;
- Siberian Tatars - like Tsagan ai;
- Tuvans - like Shagaa.
Regardless of the place of residence, the entire month after the onset of the next New Year is perceived by the followers of Buddhism as White. This is a special period that should be dedicated to purifying the soul and doing good deeds.
It is necessary to calculate the date of Sagaalgan in Buryatia every time. In 2024, the date of the holiday falls on February 10, but in general the time period for which it can fall is quite extensive - from January to March.
What kind of holiday and what is the essence of
The birth of the Buddhist New Year celebration took place in Mongolia. Its predecessor was Sagan Sar - several centuries ago, this was how the end of the period was celebrated, during which dairy products were harvested for a long winter period.
Until the 13th century, the celebration fell on the day of the autumn equinox. By this time, domestic animals gave the first offspring, so dishes for the festive table could be prepared without problems. The grandson of Genghis Khan postponed this date. Influenced by Chinese astrology, Kublai Khan established that the White Moon holiday should be celebrated along with the spring solstice.
What date Sagaalgan will be celebrated in 2024 depends on the lunar calendar. It is inextricably linked with the time of the first new moon of the year. In different countries, the final calculations differ from each other, because Buddhist lamas determine the New Year's date, taking into account a particular region. In 2023, it fell on February 21, in the 24th - on February 10, and in 2025 it will be celebrated on January 29.
It's amazing that there is no direct connection between the onset of the Buryat New Year and midnight. By tradition, he is met in the interval from 6 to 8 in the morning, when you can clearly see the lines of life in the palm of your hand. Buddhists believe that at this time, the power of prayers and rituals increases many times over.
According to the Buddhist lamas, what the coming year will be like depends largely on a person's behavior during the White month. In order to attract peace of mind and material well-being, as well as improve he alth, it is necessary to exercise maximum restraint, avoid quarrels and strive to do good deeds, broadcasting warmth and love to the environment.
Traditions
No matter what date Sagaalgan will meet in 2024, it is better to start preparing for it in advance, from autumn. On the eve of the Buddhist New Year:
- put an apartment or house in order;
- free your home from trash;
- get out of debt;
- calmly accept the state of he alth if any problems arise, which does not negate the timely visit to the doctor and the strict implementation of all his recommendations;
- prepare gifts.
Usually, on the eve of the holiday, the family gathers at the table to enjoy a joint tea party and focus on good deeds. Those present at the meal wear national headdresses, and clothes are fastened with all buttons.
On this night they practically do not sleep to receive the blessing of the goddess Lhamo - the keeper of the secrets of life and death. It is also not customary to drink alcoholic beverages and enjoy meat dishes.
Some time before the White Month Sagaalgan Buddhists practice:
- the passage of Gutor - this is the name of the ceremony of spiritual purification, although it is not exactly established what date it should be held in 2024;
- observance of a one-day fast;
- preparing a sacrifice to the spirits;
- burning the so-called black pyramid - a symbol of the evil accumulated over the past year, which rite is called Dugzhuuba.
It is important to purify your soul, getting rid of resentment and negative thoughts.
No matter how many symbolic rituals can be used before the onset of Sagaalgan, by and large it does not matter. As before, in 2024, after the meal is over, you can take a red figurine from the dough - talaban, to get rid of it in the wasteland. It is allowed to make a ritual fire and have fun dancing around it.
Three days before the Buddhist New Year, a special prayer service dedicated to ten deities and 15 miracles of the Buddha is performed without fail. The main worship is performed by the goddess Sri Devi, who is considered the patroness of the capital of Tibet. Do not forget about the White Elder - the keeper of fertility and longevity.
After the New Year's Eve, Buddhists meditate in datsans, light zula lamps and fragrant herbs, participate in various sacred rituals aimed at purification and renewal, and read prayers.
They go to visit relatives, receive guests themselves, communicate with friends, give each other gifts. Such actions are aimed at uniting the clan and strengthening the bond between generations.
According to popular belief, the owner of the house should go outside on the first day of the new year to greet the rising Sun and present gifts prepared by the whole family to the spirits they worship.
During the Soviet Union, the celebration of Sagaalgan was forbidden. However, after the revival of traditions in 1990, the meeting of the White Month is an official holiday in the Altai Territory, the Irkutsk Region, as well as in the territory of Buryatia and Kalmykia. Every year, all peoples practicing Buddhism, on this day, hope for renewal and purification, wish those around them exceptionally good and hope to meet with good luck, happiness and prosperity.
