Lhabab Düchen is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Lhabab Düchen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month according to Tibetan calendar.  (That falls on Sunday, November 20th in 2016)

Lhabab Düchen celebrates Buddha’s descent from The Heaven of Thirty-Three back to earth.  Buddha had left for The Heaven Of Thirty-Three (Trayastrimsa) at the age of 41, in order to give teachings to benefit the gods in that desire realm, and to repay the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara.  He was exhorted by his follower and representative Maudgalyayana to return, and after a long debate and under a Full Moon agreed to return. He returned to earth a week later by a special triple ladder prepared by Viswakarma, the god of machines. This event is considered to be one of the eight great deeds of the Buddha.

On Lhabab Düchen, the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied ten million times. It is part of Tibetan Buddhist tradition to engage in virtuous activities and prayer on this day.

To celebrate Lhabab Düchen we will have an Amitabha Tsog Offering Ceremony, making special food offerings to the Guru, Buddha, and Sangha, and also sharing food offerings with regional spirits.  Please bring a food offering of any kind, any color, whatever you think would be nice. Beautiful fruit, cute cakes, popcorn, cookies, nuts, cheese/crackers or small bites are some ideas.  Rinpoche will provide us with copies of the prayers and guide us in this ceremony.    We hope to see you there!

Source for above information:  Wikipedia

Photo courtesy of Nalanda Bodhi meditation center, Halifax:  http://halifax.nalandabodhi.ca/