Community Celebrations

The Shambhala Buddhist community has a tradition of celebrating the changes of the seasons. These celebrations are called Nyida Days, from the Tibetan words "nyima" (sun) and "dawa" (moon). Nyida Days occur on or near the days of the equinoxes and solstices. All four Nyida Days are regarded as family-oriented celebrations.

All Shambhala centers celebrate Shambhala Day, which is the new year (Tib: losar) of the Tibetan calendar. In keeping with the Tibetan custom, centers are encouraged to schedule further celebratory events during the following week.

Midsummer Day celebrates the summer solstice. Harvest of Peace coincides with the autumn equinox, and Childrens' Day with the winter solstice.

In addition, we celebrate the following events:
- Milarepa Day in early March (celebration of this great Tibetan yogi and poet's life)
- Parinirvana of the Vidyadhara, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche on April 4.
- Birthday of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche on November 15.
All these events are open to the public.

We also usually hold our Annual General Meeting in the fall.

Weddings and funerals for community members also occasionally take place at the Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre.