Lhabab Duchen celebrates the anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent from heaven after repaying the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara and teaching Dharma to the gods. It is another auspicious occasion and one of the major Buddhist festivals. Lhabab Duchen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month, according to the Tibetan calendar. In 2026, Lhabab Duchen falls on Sunday 1st, November.
Lhabab Duchen: How to Celebrate:
These auspicious occasions (duchen) inspire us to practice extra Dharma by engaging in various virtuous activities. For instance making offerings, saying mantras, prayers, reading the sutra of Great Liberation and lighting butter lamps. Along with remembering Buddha. Many say the goal is to pray for the long life and good health of all enlightened Gurus from all traditions, for the long life and spreading of Buddha’s teachings in the minds of all sentient beings, and for peace between all beings. As a merit multiplying day, the karmic results of actions done today become multiplied 100 thousand times. Dedicate all merits towards the enlightenment of all beings.
The day commemorates the return of Lord Buddha to earth from his heavenly abode for the salvation of all sentient beings. Legend has it that Lord Buddha's mother Yum Juma Lhazay passed away seven days after his birth, and to save his mother from the vicious circle of life, Lord Buddha had left for the celestial realm.