On November 11, Kalmykia Marks the Day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Descent from the Heaven of the 33 Gods

One of the main Buddhist holidays, when we offer all our prayers to the Great Buddha.

Every year, on the 22nd lunar day of the Month of the Mouse, our temple widely celebrates the Day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Descent from the Heaven of the 33 Gods. This year it falls on November 11. According to the sutras, on this day the Buddha returned from the world of the gods, where he had spent three months teaching the Dharma to his mother in order to repay her kindness. This is one of the twelve greatest deeds of the Buddha.

Festive events at the Central Khurul will begin in the early morning. At 6:00 a.m., the Venerable Geshe Changchub will bestow the one-day Mahayana vows. Throughout the day, everyone who wishes may observe the rules of moral discipline. Incidentally, taking the vows on this great day is a kind of practice. And in general, on this special day any good deeds performed will be immeasurably multiplied, as will negative ones.

At 9:00 a.m., a festive prayer service will begin, during which the monks will recite prayers of praise to the Buddha and give thanks for his priceless Teaching—the Dharma. Afterwards, worshippers will be treated by the monks to Kalmyk tea and bortsoks.