Lha Bab Düchen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth Tibetan month. Buddha’s mother Mayadevi was reborn in Indra’s heaven. To repay her kindness and to liberate her, and also to benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months teachings in the realm of the gods. When he was about to return to this world, Indra and Brahma manifested three stairs of 80,000 yojanas each reaching this world in Sankisa. As the Buddha walked down the central one, they accompanied him to his left and right carrying umbrellas to honor him. He descended to earth in Sankisa, which is located in modern Uttar Pradesh, and which is counted among the eight holy places.

The Rime Center will be hosting a series of Shakyamuni Buddha Pujas and open meditation sessions as an opportunity for you to come in and meditate throughout the day at your own pace and time limit.

The morning will start with participants receiving the 24 hour Mahayana vows. Please wear all white if you are going to take the vows as an outward sign of your commitment to purity for the day. As the Buddha said, “Sariputta, when you know of a householder clothed in white, that she/he is restrained in terms of the five training rules and that she/he obtains at will, without difficulty, without hardship, four pleasant mental abidings in the here & now, then if she/he wants she/he may state about themself: ‘Hell is ended; animal wombs are ended; the state of the hungry shades is ended; states of deprivation, destitution, the bad bourns are ended! I am a stream-winner, steadfast, never again destined for states of woe, headed for self-awakening!’ – Gihi Sutta

Schedule for Activities

7:30 am – 24-Hour Mahayana Vows Given
8 am – Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with Meditation
9 am – Noon – Half Day Zen Meditation Retreat
2:00 pm – Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with Meditation
3 pm – 6 pm – Open Meditation
6 pm – Shakyamuni Buddha Puja with Meditation