Dharamshala — Buddhists across Asia celebrated Gautama Buddha's birthday (Saka Dawa) with joy and freedom on Monday. But the Chinese authorities restricted Tibetans from celebrating, and even the limited celebrations were surrounded by large numbers of Chinese police and strictly under their surveillance.
Buddhists in India, Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, China, Japan and Tibet celebrate the birthday of Gautama Buddha, according to their lunar calendar, in May 2025, in commemoration of the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism.
According to Tibetan sources, the Chinese authorities have imposed restrictions on the celebration of the Buddha's birthday in Lhasa, Kham and Amdo, the three traditional regions of Tibet, on May 12, 2025. Despite the restrictions on public gatherings, Tibetans, especially monks and nuns, celebrated the Buddha's Birthday, in Tibetan, called Saka Dawa. The site of the event was cordoned off by Chinese police, whose vehicles were equipped with waning lights.
A video shows Tibetans, mainly monks, carrying large portraits of the Buddha and other enlightened deities painted on large canvases. They carry these portraits from the monastery to a nearby hill where they are displayed for the public to see and pray to the Buddha. This activity is part of the Buddha's Birthday celebration. However, when they carried the Buddha portraits, a large number of Chinese authorities followed them. The police restricted and monitored all of the Tibetans' actions.
In another video, Tibetans, mainly women, carrying large flags with mantras printed on them, moved from village to mountain in commemoration Buddha's birthday on May 12, 2025. They were also surrounded by Chinese police and their cars, who restricted their movements and monitored all Tibetan actions. These actions by the Chinese police violated the basic rights of Tibetans and their freedom of religion and movement.
Tibetans visit monasteries to pray, offer flowers, light incense, and recite sutras on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar each year. This year, that day fell on May 12. However, Chinese authorities prevent Tibetans from visiting monasteries, especially Tibetan officials and their family members. If they don't comply, they will lose their jobs.
