Chötrul Düchen
Chötrul Düchen is one of the holiest periods in the Buddhist calendar, beginning on Losar. It is the period when Buddha Shakyamuni manifested a miracle each day for 15 days in order to inspire faith among his followers.
During this time, it is said that the Buddha's blessings fall upon all those who pray to him one-pointedly, so we pay special attention to our meditation practice, aspiring for it to mature and bring more and more benefit to everyone. The end of this period culminates with the full moon on February 24.
During Chötrul Düchen, the effects of our actions are multiplied millions of times. Therefore, the power of our virtuous actions to benefit ourselves and all sentient beings is amplified even more. So, let’s engage in virtuous actions!
Plan ahead!
Take advantage of this auspicious time when actions are multiplied thousands of times and include virtuous actions in your routine. Be generous, practice meditation, and make auspicious wishes for the benefit of all sentient beings.
On the first day, the Buddha pressed his tooth-stick in the ground, and it immediately turned into a beautiful tree full of flowers and ripe fruit.
On the second day, he emanated two mountains of jewels.
On the third day, he created a jeweled lake.
On the fourth day, voices came from the lake explaining all aspects of the Dharma.
On the fifth day, the Buddha radiated golden light from his face. This filled the entire world, purifying the afflictions of sentient beings.
On the sixth day, he gave people the ability to read each other's thoughts.
On the seventh day, he transformed his Sakya clan benefactors into world-rulers.
On the eighth day, the Buddha pressed down on his throne with the fingers of his right hand. At that moment, Vajrapani appeared from brandishing a flaming vajra at the six non-believing teachers. Members of Vajrapani’s retinue scattered the heretics and smashed the thrones of their teachers. The heretics fled in fear. At that point, the Buddha radiated eighty-four thousand rainbow-colored light rays. At the tip of each light ray sat a buddha on a lotus throne. And each of these was surrounded by attendants. Onlookers saw these buddhas teaching the Dharma, and many were liberated by just this sight.
On the ninth day the king of gods, Brahma, made offerings to Buddha. The Buddha expanded his body until it reached up to the highest heaven. Then, he emitted light rays into all directions while he taught the Dharma.
On the tenth day, the four great kings who protect the Dharma invited Buddha to speak. This time, the Buddha expanded his body until it reached the height of samsara. And once again, he emanated light rays which then expounded the Dharma.
On the eleventh day, the great patron Anāthapiṇḍada made offerings to the meditating Buddha. The Buddha concealed his physical body, but radiated a golden light, and projected his voice so that all could hear.
On the twelfth day, Buddha entered into a meditation on great love, and golden light radiated from his body, extending throughout the worlds. These rays of light purified the three poisons from the onlookers and they gave rise to great compassion.
On the thirteenth day the Buddha, while seated on the lion throne, emitted two rays of light from his navel. These light rays rose fifteen meters, and one each point was a lotus, and on each lotus, a buddha. From the navel of each buddha extended two rays of light and upon each point sat a buddha, teaching the Dharma while seated on a lotus throne. These buddhas filled all the world systems.
On the fourteenth day, a king offered flowers to the Buddha. The Buddha transformed these flowers into chariots made of precious jewels. Then, the Buddha taught the Dharma to all beings as a doctor healed the sick.
On the fifteenth, final day of the spring celebration, King Bimbisara made offerings to the Buddha. The Buddha asked King Bimbisara to bring vessels for food and these spontaneously filled with foods of a hundred different tastes. When the assembly ate, their bodies and minds were completely satisfied. Buddha then asked, “Why do we experience such immeasurable suffering in the world?” By his blessing, all beings, including demons, realized that they themselves had caused their own misery by their mistaken actions. When they realized this, the assembly all developed great faith.
Source: Samye Institute
Düchens mark sacred periods in the Buddhist lunar calendar during which some of Buddha Shakyamuni's most important deeds are celebrated.
The main ones are:
Chötrul Düchen: 15 days during which the Buddha performed miracles
Tampei Düchen: the birth of the Buddha, which takes place during Saga Dawa
Saga Dawa Düchen: the lunar month celebrating the Buddha's birth, parinirvana and enlightenment.
Chökor Düchen: the first turning of the wheel of Dharma
Lhabab Düchen: the Buddha's return from the realm of the gods
Chötrul Düchen - February 24
Tampei Duchen - May 15
Saga Dawa Düchen - May 8-23
Chökor Düchen - July 9
Lhabab Düchen - November 21
In the Buddhist tradition, protecting beings from suffering and premature death is a powerful practice of compassion. We all know that taking a being's life is a very bad thing, contrary to ethics. Conversely, saving a life is a virtuous act of great importance. After releasing the animals, we pray for their well-being and spiritual connection, and conclude the ceremony with dedications.
Offerings can be made using the Google form until 6pm the day before the ceremony.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
