On Lhabab Duchen, 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.

Lhabab Duchen is a Buddhist festival celebrated to observe the Buddha’s descent from the Trāyastriṃśa heaven down to earth. According to legend, the Buddha ascended the Trāyastriṃśa heaven temporarily 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 disciple and representative Maudgalyayana to return, and after a long debate and under a Full Moon Buddha 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.

Since Lhabab Duchen falls on a Wednesday the night of Thargyen class, the schedule will be:

6:30 PM

A shorter than usual Thargyen lesson.

7:00 PM

Guru Yoga Practice–Prayer to Japa Sangye Tenzin, who is Khenpo Karten Rinpoche’s first root guru.

8:00 PM

Lucky Pot!  Bring food offerings for all our gurus, that we will share together after the ceremony.  If you haven’t been to a Manjushri Center Lucky Pot, you will be delighted with the great food and the chance to meet and socialize with old and new sangha members.