Lhabab Duchen

Lhabab Duchen – The Descending Day of Lord Buddha

This year on October 31st, 2018 it is marked as Lhabab Duchen which is translated as the day when Buddha descended from the Heaven of Thirty-Three gods after he was begged to return to earth by one of his disciples. He is supposed to have climbed down the triple ladders made of gold and gems by Vishwakarma, the god of machines after the instructions from Lord Indira. This day is one of the auspicious days in the Tibetan and Bhutanese calendar and it is believed that any virtues actions or negative actions performed on this day are multiplied by several million times. Hence this day is marked as public holiday in Bhutan to allow people to make pilgrimage to holy places and to make offerings.

The story goes that Shakyamuni Buddha at the age of 41 realised that his mother Maya Devi who had died seven days after giving birth to him was stuck in a place called Lhayul Sumcho Tsasum (Heaven of Thirty Three Gods). So he went there to teach his mother to liberate her from samsara as a way of repaying her kindness and also to benefit the other gods in this realm. He was believed to have been there for about ninety days when one of his closest disciples pleaded him that he return to human realm. After a long debate where it was argued that human cannot get to the heaven of thirty three to see Buddha whilst the gods from there can get to earth due to their celestial power, he finally agreed on the night of the full moon, to return to earth after seven days. Upon hearing this news, it is believed, Lord Indira the ruler of heaven of 33 gods, instructed Vishwakarma, the god of machine to build a triple ladder made of beryl, gold and silver for Buddha to descent from the heaven of thirty three gods to earth.

Buddha Shakyamuni returned to earth a week later on the 22nd day of the lunar month according to Tibetan and Bhutanese calendar. When he descended down the central ladder he was accompanied on both sides by gods carrying beautifully decorated umbrella to protect him from elements and to honour him with full respect and devotion. He is believed to have descended to earth by the summit of Mount Meru before starting his way down to the Udumbara tree outside the city of Sankasya in modern day place Uttar Pradesh which is considered as one of the sacred Buddhist places on earth. This event is considered to be one of the eight great deeds of the Buddha Shakyamuni.

Hope you all have a great day and able to perform acts of virtues nature in body, speech and mind. May your good merits multiplies in millions and benefit all sentient beings from untold sufferings and may all sentient beings attained liberation in this lifetime.

Tayata Om Muni Muni Maha Munaye Soha!