01/11/2026
Happy Lhabab Düchen!
Lhabab Düchen / The Great Descent commemorates the descent of Buddha Shakyamuni from Trāyastriṃśa, the Heaven of the Thirty-Three.
After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha ascended to heaven to teach the Dharma to his mother, Maya, who had been reborn there, as well as to the devas before returning to the Human Realm.
According to tradition, Indra created a magnificent triple staircase of gold, silver and crystal, descending from Mount Sumeru to Saṅkāśya in India.
The Buddha gracefully descended accompanied by Brahmā and Indra, where he was welcomed by his disciple Śāriputra.
Lhabab Düchen is one of the four great holy days in Tibetan Buddhism. It is considered an especially auspicious day when the effects of our actions are traditionally said to be multiplied 100 million times.
It is a precious opportunity to accumulate merit through prayers, prostrations, offerings, generosity and acts of compassion.
May we use this auspicious day to deepen our practice, cultivate wisdom and compassion, and dedicate all virtue to the benefit of all sentient beings.
