Tibetan Buddhist festivals

1st day of the 1st Tibetan month

Losar (Tibetan New Year)

The start of the Tibetan year. Before it, homes are cleaned and offerings prepared; on the first day people bow before the Buddha at a temple or home shrine and make wishes for the year. In the Gelug tradition it is followed by the Great Prayer Festival (Monlam Chenmo), founded by Tsongkhapa in 1409.

What you can do: Clean your home and offer lamps and water; on the first day, bow to the Buddha and resolve to do less harm and more good this year.

15th day of the 1st Tibetan month

Chötrul Düchen (Day of Miracles)

Commemorates the fifteen days in which Shakyamuni Buddha displayed miracles at Shravasti, so the first fifteen days of the year are also called the Month of Miracles. Lhasa has a tradition of butter-sculpture lamp offerings on this night.

What you can do: Offer lamps, bow to the Buddha and recite his name or mantra. Those able to may take the eight Mahayana precepts according to their own lineage.

On this site: Chants & mantras

15th day of the 4th Tibetan month

Saga Dawa Düchen

The fourth Tibetan month, Saga Dawa, is the most important month of the year for virtuous deeds. Its full-moon day commemorates the Buddha’s enlightenment and passing into nirvana, and many traditions also mark his birth on this day. Many people circle holy places, offer lamps, give to others and keep a vegetarian diet.

What you can do: Walk a kora, offer lamps and give generously; throughout the month, do more good and avoid taking life.

4th day of the 6th Tibetan month

Chökhor Düchen (First Turning of the Wheel)

Commemorates the Buddha’s first teaching, seven weeks after his enlightenment, when he taught the Four Noble Truths to five monks at the Deer Park in Sarnath. From that day the Dharma began to spread in the world.

What you can do: Read or study a passage on the Four Noble Truths or dependent arising; offer lamps and dedicate the merit to all beings.

On this site: Scripture guides

22nd day of the 9th Tibetan month

Lhabab Düchen (Descent from Heaven)

Tradition records that the Buddha ascended to the Heaven of the Thirty-Three to teach his mother, Queen Maya, and the gods, and then returned to the human world. This day commemorates his return.

What you can do: Bow to the Buddha, offer lamps, recite his mantra and dedicate the merit to your parents and all beings.

25th day of the 10th Tibetan month

Lama Tsongkhapa Day (Ganden Ngamchö)

Tsongkhapa passed away at Ganden Monastery in 1419, and this is one of the most important days of the Gelug year. By tradition, monasteries and homes light butter lamps on roofs and windowsills, so it is also known as the Festival of Lights.

What you can do: Offer lamps, recite the Migtsema prayer to Tsongkhapa, and study a passage of his teaching.

On this site: Tsongkhapa · Ganden Monastery guide