Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations (Chötrul Düchen)
About Chötrul Düchen
Chötrul Düchen, or the Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations, is one of the four main Buddhist holidays commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha. Chötrul Düchen takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon. The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples so as to increase their devotion. During Chötrul Düchen, the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times.
On the morning of Chötrul Düchen, we will perform the traditional practice of taking one-day vows. This entails taking some of the essential precepts of a monk or nun, such as abstaining from killing, stealing, sexual activity, and eating after midday, and is one of the most cherished methods of purifying negative karma and accumulating merit, particularly on holy days.
Please arrive by 7:45 am. The sojong ritual takes about 30 minutes. For those who can stay, we will take a tea break and then perform additional prayers.