Rid greed, ignorance and hatred to achieve peace and prosperity: Spiritual message of Losar

For Tibetan Buddhists, Losar festival of three days marks advent of New Year and the end of winter along start of spring season.

The end of Losar festivities and prayers for three days heralds the first day of New Year according to the Tibetan calendar. On the occasion of their New Year, Tibetans in India pay obeisance to their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

Tibetan monks hoist prayer flags in and around monasteries during Losar festival. Some traditional delicacies that are prepared are as follows.

• Droma: Rice and potatoes stew

• Dresi: Sweet saffron rice

• Tibetan tea: Salt and butter tea

Prayer and preaching

• Payer for universal peace, harmony and prosperity

• Preaching purity and staying away from vices which stem from desires and cravings

1. Greed

2. Envy

3. Hatred

4. Anger

5. Ego / Ignorance

In Buddhism, it is held that the three basic causes of strife - the Three Poisons - are greed, ignorance and hatred.