Kalmykia to Celebrate One of the Most Important Holidays — the Day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Descent from the Heaven of 33 Deities

This Friday, on the 22nd lunar day of the Month of the Mouse, Buddhists around the world celebrate one of the most important holidays — the Day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Descent from the Heaven of 33 Deities. On this day, by tradition, festive events will take place at the Central Khurul, beginning early in the morning.

At 5:00 a.m., the Venerable Geshe Changchub will bestow upon the faithful the one-day Mahayana vows. There are eight of them. These rules of moral discipline are taken for 24 hours, that is, until the dawn of the following day.

Then, at 9:00 a.m., a festive prayer service will be held, where the monks will recite prayers of praise to Buddha Shakyamuni, his Dharma... And at 2:00 p.m., as usual, the Friday prayer service for the deceased will be conducted.

It is customary to devote this day to spiritual practice: reciting mantras, taking one-day vows. A virtuous deed on this day is also showing special care for one’s parents, as Buddha Shakyamuni did.