Lhabab Düchen

(Descent of Buddha from Heaven)

Lhabab Düchen is observed on the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month. It commemorates a pivotal moment when Buddha Shakyamuni, at the age of 41, ascended to the Trayastrimsha Heaven (Heaven of Thirty-Three) to teach the Dharma. He did this after realizing his mother, Mayadevi, who had passed away from the human realm, had been reborn as a deity in the desire realm. He taught her, along with other deities of the desire realm.

King Udayana of central India, along with King Prasenajit and others, sent Maudgalyayana, foremost among those with miraculous powers, to the heavenly realm to invite the Buddha back to the human world. The Buddha assented, agreeing to return in one week to the Udumbara forest in the city of Sankasya.

On this day, when the Buddha descended from the divine realms back to the human world, Tibetans typically visit their local monasteries and engage in virtuous activities. In many regions of Tibet, people whitewash their homes before Lhabab Düchen and apply white offerings to mountaintops and rocks.

Ngak Labrang, in particular, observes Lhabab Düchen and the fourth day of the sixth lunar month with great celebration. Some monasteries hold Nyungne (fasting retreats). People gather at monasteries for circumambulations, worship, and offerings, and they provide services to those making offerings.

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Saga Dawa Festival

Saga Dawa is known as the “Month of Three Assemblages” or the “Millionfold Month.” It spans from the first to the thirtieth day of the fourth Tibetan month. Its name comes from the fact that the star on the night of the fifteenth day is Saga. This month is recognized as the time when the peerless Buddha Shakyamuni was born, attained complete enlightenment, and passed into nirvana.

During this special festival, all monasteries in the Tsum region, especially Dondrup Ling Monastery and the other monasteries affiliated with Ngak Labrang, observe what is commonly known as Saga Dawa Nyungne (fasting retreat). At this time, it is customary to perform the Nyungne Chagyed (Eight-branched fasting retreat). The people of this region engage in many religious activities during Saga Dawa. They consume white foods (vegetarian) and abstain from garlic, onions, and similar ingredients. People diligently perform various religious practices such as visiting monasteries and temples for worship, undertaking pilgrimages, offering food, and performing life releases.

Because of this extraordinary festival, in remembrance of the Buddha’s kindness, all monasteries and communities in this area celebrate it. They intensify their efforts in listening, contemplating, and meditating, as well as in prostrations, offerings, and prayers, accumulating merit. Furthermore, people celebrate the festival by arranging various auspicious events with songs and dances.

In conjunction with this festival, there is also a tradition for people to visit the sacred practice cave of Jetsun Milarepa, known as Phukron Phug (Pigeon Cave). They recite the Milarepa Lamdrub (Guru Practice of Milarepa), which has a unique and profound connection to this great sacred site, and engage in extensive virtuous offering activities.