LOSAR marks the most important day of the Lunar New Year — Day 1. This is the start of Chothrul Duchen, celebrated Buddha’s 15 Days of Miracles. The entire 15 Days are special, and meritorious practice days. The first day, of the 15 Days of Miracles of Shakaymuni Buddha is LOSAR. NOTE: In non-Tibetan Buddhist traditions, lunar new year is on a different date, since Tibetan calendars are strictly lunar with skip days, while Chinese and other calendars are lunisolar.

MERIT IS MULTIPLIED 100 MILLION TIMES ON BUDDHA DAYS, including the 15 Days of Miracles, according to Lama Zopa and the Vinaya Texts.

A Recommended Practice is the Three Supremes of Protection, Purification and Long Life (Turn on CC to chant along with this 10 minute practice.) Ideally, practice each of the 15 Days from February 28-March 14:

• PDF of the Three Supremes Practice as a download>>

Practices for Losar

Shakyamuni Buddha practices and Pujas and mantras, along with Maitreya, the Future Buddha are especially meritorious on LOSAR, as the first 15 Days of Lunar New Year are considered Buddha Days.

Shakyamuni Buddha’s beautiful and meritorious mantra:

Festivities, Family and Fun!

Losar marks the beginning of the Tibetan Lunar New Year, is an exciting time with all sorts of fun festivities and traditions! It is also a meritorious Dharma celebration, and marks the first day of 15 Days of Miracles of the Buddha. [See our features on the 15 Days of Miracles and Chothrul Duchen, the Day of Miracles.]

According to Lama Zopa Rinpoche, citing the Vinaya text Treasure of Quotations and Logic, Karmic results of all activities on Holy Days (including the 15 Days of Miracles) are multiplied one hundred million times. [1]

Shakyamuni Buddha’s Life of Miracles:

• This is also Maitreya Day, especially in the Mahayana traditions, which is celebrated on the first day of the Lunar Year. [See our special feature on Maitreya Day!]

Most Meritorious Practice is Sutra Recitation, especially the Sutra or Remembering the Three Jewels:

This is especially the best time of the year for generosity, offerings, and charity since the merit is multiplied so significantly. It is important to bring in positive merit at the beginning of the year to set a “positive karma” tone for the year, and to help bring in auspiciousness for all beings.

Losar itself is celebrated not only on the first day of the Tibetan Lunar New Year (this year February 28, 2025) but for the first 15 days of the year, celebrating the 15 miracles of the Buddha.

During that time, it is traditionally celebrated with temple visits, ceremonies, offerings, meditation, dancing, feasts and plenty of merrymaking with family and friends.

Sutra Recitations:

Heart Sutra: