We will be reciting the Thirty-Five Buddhas Confession and Purification Practice.

(LHABAB DÜCHEN DAY)

Buddha's descent from The Heaven of Thirty-Three back to earth.

Lhabab Düchen is a Buddhist festival celebrated to observe Buddha's descent from The Heaven of Thirty-Three back to earth.

Buddha had left for The Heaven Of Thirty-Three, in order to give teachings to benefit the gods in that desire realm, and to repay the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara.

Buddha has accepted to return to earth as he was requested by his followers. He returned to earth by a special triple ladder prepared by Viswakarma on this day. This event is considered to be one of the eight great deeds of the Buddha.

On Lhabab Düchen, the effects of positive or negative actions are multiplied times.

We must engage in virtuous activities like reciting prayers, offering Tsok, offering smoke ritual in the morning and reading Buddha’s scriptures on this very special day.

The Thirty-Five Buddhas Confession and Purification Practice

The Thirty-Five Buddhas Confession and Purification Practice is a Mahayana Buddhist ritual aimed at purifying negative karma and ethical transgressions. It is based on the Sutra of the Three Heaps (Triskandhadharmasutra), which includes prostrations, confession, and dedication. The practice helps practitioners overcome obstacles to spiritual progress by purifying karmic imprints and accumulating merit.

Key Components:

1. Prostrations: Physical homage to the Thirty-five Buddhas, symbolizing respect and devotion.

2. Confession: Admitting ethical downfalls openly, guided by the Four Opponent Powers:

• Regret: Genuine remorse for past misdeeds.

• Reliance: Taking refuge in the Thirty-five Buddhas as sources of purification.

• Resolution: Commitment not to repeat the transgressions.

• Remedial Action: Engaging in virtuous activities to counteract negativity.

3. Dedication: Prayers to dedicate merits for the benefit of all beings.

Purpose:

The ritual purifies both minor and major karmic violations, including the five heinous crimes and ten unvirtuous deeds. It fosters spiritual growth by clearing mental obscurations caused by negative karma, thus enabling practitioners to progress on the path to enlightenment.

Practitioners typically visualize the Thirty-five Buddhas during recitation and prostrations, cultivating faith, humility, and conviction in their ability to overcome negativities