Lhabab Duchen

Descending day of Lord Buddha from Heaven

Lhabab Duchen is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha. Also, the day marks the return of Lord Buddha to earth from heaven. Lhabab Düchen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. It is widely celebrated in Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, and Bhutan. Similarly, this festival is also celebrated in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.

According to legend, the Buddha ascended the Tryastrimsa, 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 agreed to return. Accordingly, he returned to earth a week later by a special triple ladder prepared by Viswakarma, the god of machines.

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