An Explanation of Buddhist Holidays

Written By Lama Döndrup

As practitioners of a tradition from Tibet, we have the opportunity to shift our perspective by aligning ourselves with the lunar calendar rather than the solar year. This shift allows us to experience time from a perspective that is less conceptual and more grounded in the rhythms of the body. There is a direct connection between the celestial bodies—sun, moon, planets, and stars—and our own coarse and subtle bodies, which enhances our potential for awakening.

In spiritual practice, we aim to guide the subtle winds into the central channel to experience awakened mind. Just as the moon influences the earth’s tides, it also affects the subtle channels and winds within our body, especially during phases like the new moon and full moon. These times create favorable conditions for the subtle winds to flow into the central channel. Eclipses further enhance this potential, offering even greater opportunities for awakening. This is why certain moon phases are considered special practice days, when the effects of our practice are amplified and awakened mind is more accessible.

The lunar cycle also commemorates significant events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha, celebrated as the four major festivals or “düchen” meaning ‘great occasion.” On these sacred days, the impact of one’s actions is multiplied 100 million times, making it a time to bring special attention to our actions of body, speech, and mind, aligning them with wisdom and compassion. Traditionally, these holy days are marked by meritorious activities such as extended rituals and meditation, contemplative prayer, making special offerings, and supporting dharma centers.

The four major Buddhist holidays are:

  • Chötrul Düchen (15th day, 1st month) commemorates the 15 days of miracles performed by Shakyamuni Buddha. Beginning on Losar (Tibetan New Year), we recall that he performed one miracle a day as a way to refute challenges to his realization and inspire his disciples, culminating on the full moon of Chötrul Düchen.

  • Saga Dawa (4th month) honors Shakyamuni Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana. The most sacred day is the 15th lunar day, known as Saga Dawa Düchen. This day is called vesākha in Pali and vaiśākha in Sanskrit.

  • Chökhor Düchen (4th day, 6th month) celebrates Shakyamuni Buddha’s first turning of the wheel of dharma, when he gave his first teachings after attaining enlightenment.

  • Lhabab Düchen (22nd day, 9th month) commemorates Buddha’s descent from the Trayastrimsha (Heaven of the Thirty-Three Devas), where he taught his deceased mother. Seven years after his enlightenment, Buddha ascended to offer teachings to his mother and other beings there, and this day marks his return to the human realm.

Lhabab Düchen will be observed this year on November 22nd. You can read more about Shakyamuni Buddha’s descent from Trayastrimsha here.

Since the benefit of our actions is multiplied 100 million times on these four holidays, Lhabab Düchen

is an auspicious time to contribute financially or volunteer with Sukhasiddhi Foundation and our new Wisdom River Meditation Center. By doing so, you help create a space where we can support one another on the spiritual path, enjoy the richness of community, and contribute to rooting the teachings of the Shangpa Lineage in the West.

Lama Döndrup

Lama Döndrup has been practicing and studying in the Buddhist tradition since the mid-1990’s. After five years of Theravadin Buddhist training, she immersed herself in the teachings and practices of the Shangpa and Kagyu Vajrayana lineages. In 2005, she completed a traditional three-year retreat under the guidance of Lama Palden and Lama Drupgyu with the blessing of her root guru, Bokar Rinpoche and was authorized as a lama. Upon her return to Marin County, she began teaching at Sukhasiddhi Foundation. In January 2020, as Lama Palden’s successor, she stepped into the role of Resident Lama, guiding the Center’s ministerial work. Lama Döndrup’s teaching style is thorough and clear yet with light touch as she supports the natural unfolding of each student’s innate wisdom and compassion. She aims to preserve the authenticity of the tradition while making the teachings and practices relevant and accessible to the lives of 21st century Westerners. In addition to her Buddhist practice, Lama Döndrup trained the Ridhwan School’s Diamond Approach for seven years and has a Masters of Fine Arts degree in piano performance. She is an active classical pianist and teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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In acknowledgment and celebration of this great holy day, Lhabab Düchen - November 22, 2024