Background to Lhabab Düchen
The occasion of Lhabab Düchen (Chi: 佛陀天降日) falls on the 22nd day of the 9th Tibetan Month. This year, it will be Wednesday, 27 October 2021 on our Gregorian calendar. On this day, Buddhists in our tradition celebrate the anniversary of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha’s return to earth from the Travatimsa Heavens where his mother Queen Maya Devi had been reborn; He had sojourned there for some time in order to repay her kindness by liberating her from Samsara, and teaching the Dharma to the gods in that realm.
Offerings at the Potala Palace & the Jokhang in Lhasa
Lhabab Düchen is a merit-multiplying day on which the effect of meritorious and virtuous activities become magnified manifold. With that in mind, the Centre is pleased to advise that it has managed to arrange the following activities in conjunction with it: –
- Performance of the 1,000 Offerings Ritual to Medicine Buddha (Chi:药师佛) and Dedication of Merits ritual by members of the Sangha at the Jokhang. The ritual offerings will include water, lights, flowers, incense, and tormas.
- Monetary contribution towards commissioning a new layer of gilt (gold coating) as well as new robes for the world-renowned Jowo Shakyamuni Statute (“Jowo Rinpoche”), which is the main reliquary in the Jokhang Temple.
- Prayer Rituals by 108 Sangha members and monetary offerings to the Sangha members at the Jokhang Temple.
- Chenrezig (Chi:观音) Prayer Ritual to be performed by 88 members of the Sangha at the Potala Palace (Chi:布达拉宫）
We cordially invite all Dharma friends who are able and willing, to contribute towards this virtuous event – no contribution is too small.
Significance of the Jowo Shakyamuni Statue
The above activities, particularly offerings to Jowo Rinpoche, are especially significant because it is believed in our tradition that the image of Jowo Rinpoche was blessed by Lord Shakyamuni Buddha Himself. It was one of three statues made in the image of the Buddha Himself that was sculptured by craftsmen back in the days of the Buddha. The Lord Buddha had advised that paying respects to Jowo Rinpoche would be equivalent to paying respects to Himself.
The image of Jowo Rinpoche had originally been a gift from Indian royalty (the King of Magadha) to China during the Tang Dynasty. Princess Wencheng of China, who married King Songtsen Gampo, the 33rd King of Tibet, brought Jowo Rinpoche to Lhasa in circa 641 CE as a gift.
For all the above reasons, we rejoice in the opportunity to participate in the virtuous activities in relation to Jowo Rinpoche, and we pray that by reason of these merits, may all of you and indeed all sentient beings be blessed with good health and auspicious conditions!
The Jowo Fund
If you are interested to contribute to The Jowo Fund, please contact us at 9232 8239. The closing date is 20 October 2021. All proceeds less any bank charges will be used for the four activities above.