Tathagatha Tsal to host Lhabab Duechen prayers BUDDHA’S RELICS TO BE ON DISPLAY ON 24 NOV

GANGTOK, 14 Nov: Tathagatha Tsal, Rabong, South Sikkim has invited all devotees, pilgrims and well-wishers to attend the auspicious Lhabab Duechen prayers on 24 November, 2013.
Lhabab Duechen is observed to celebrate the descent of Lord Gautama Buddha to the realms of earth after he had left for heaven at the age of 41, having ascended to The Heaven of Thirty-Three (Trayastrimsa) in order to give teachings to benefit the gods in the desire realms and to repay the kindness of his mother by liberating her from Samsara.
One of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to religious traditions, Lhabab Duechen occurs on the 22nd day of the ninth month on a lunar calendar and falls on 24 November, this year.
As per a press release, prayers will be held at the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord Buddha Statue and the relics of Lord Buddha presented by 13 countries and housed at the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Statue will be displayed for ‘zeka’ public darshan on 24 November, the main day.
In 2013 Lhabab Duechen starts on Full Moon 17 November and ends on 24 November. It is believed that during this day, positive or negative actions are multiplied 10 million times. It is part of Buddhist tradition to engage in virtuous activities and prayers on this day.

The Tathagatha Tsal has seen footfall of 41,960 tourists and visitors from 31 March 2013 to 31 October, 2013. Apart from it, 1,069 students have also visited the Tsal. A total amount of Rs. 30,18,735 has been collected through entry fees and donations in the last 7 months since it was consecrated in March, this year.