-Lhabab Duchen - Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha

 

-Lhabab Duchen -

        It traditionally falls on the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month on the ancient Tibetan calendar, To understand the significance of Lhabab Duchen. perhaps a little bit of Buddhist back story is necessary, In the sixth century B.C. an Indian nobleman named Siddhartha Gautama engaged on a spiritual quest in which be sought the meaning of human life in general. and in particular he wished to find the path to freedom from reincarnation. After many days or spiritual struggle and meditation, he became Buddha. the Enlightened One. Who had found this dharma. or teaching. Tibetan

Buddhists add to story, saying that in his 41^st year of life. Buddha to 33rd heaven. Lhabab Duchen is the day when the Buddha returned to the earth after visiting that 33rd level of the heavens. While on that exalted level. the Enlightened One gave spiritual teachings to the gods. He also honoured his mother by freeing her from Samsara, or the wretched Of endless rebirth based on karma. which  Buddhists and Hindus regard as difficult fate of mankind.

While the gods at this high level. is also desire present. Since desire is the force that dooms all to rebirth, the Buddha preached to the gods to assist them. While in that high place, the Buddha also encountered one or his closest followers whom had taught while earth, a disciple named been murdered on earth by robbers, but his spiritual status was so exalted that he was free from rebirth. While the Buddha was in the 33rd heaven. Maudgalyayana had previously been preaching to the dead on how to escape the chains of karma. Now, out of compassion, he called on the Buddha to return to his earthly mission, so that he could share his teachings with men and women.

After a considerable debate, the Buddha agreed to return to earth at next full moon. When this occurred. Vishvakarma, Tibetans regard as the God of machines, created a triple ladder made of beryl gold and silver, on which the Buddha descended back to earth to continue his mission. This return is regarded as one of the eight greatest deeds or the Buddha by Tibetans, and it was done out of compassion of humanity. It is this descent back to our troubled world which is celebrated on Lhabab Duchen. Tibetan Buddhists regard Lhabab Duchen as "Buddha multiplying day." This means that any compassionate or righteous action on this day is multiplied by IO million in its spiritual power. On this day in actual history and modern times, pilgrims will visit Buddhist monasteries, particularly at Lhasa. which they regard most sacred.

Pilgrims will there prostrate themselves on the ground before the sacred images and burn incense to the gods, and some will paint ladders on the rocks nearby. The monks will chant special prayers, which are listened to by the faithful With considerable devotion.

Reciting prayers is very important because special benefits accrue to those who recite the "Sutra of Remembering the Three Jewels," a basic creed, which includes the words. "In nirvana where all suffering is transcended he does not abide; his abode is in the very summit of perfection, residing in that place where he perceives all living beings. Such are the sublime qualities that are  greatness of Buddha, Victorious, Virtuous, and Transcendent."

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