Monlam Festival in Amdo

History

The Monlam Chenmo, also known as The Great Prayer Festival, is the most important Tibetan Buddhist celebration of the year. It falls on the 4th – 11th day of the 1st Tibetan Lunar month. Monlam means “Wish-Path” – the Buddhist path of helping others through the prayers. The Monlam Chenmo commemorates the Buddha’s enlightenment or fully awakening from ignorance (Budha Miracle Day). All the prayers are being sent to sentient beings in six realms.

The event of Monlam in Tibet was established in 1409 by Tsong Khapa in Lhasa, the founder of the Geluk tradition. As the greatest religious festival in Tibet, thousands of monks (of the three main monasteries of Drepung, Sera and Ganden) gathered for chanting prayers and performing religious rituals at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. The inaugural celebration attracted many devotees, and it has been performed for about 600 years.

The Main Purpose of Monlam Festival

The main purpose of the Great Prayer Festival is to pray for the long life of all the holy Gurus of all traditions, for the survival and spreading of the Dharma in the minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace. The communal prayers, offered with strong faith and devotion, help to overcome obstacles to peace and generate conducive conditions for everyone to live in harmony.

Activities

The main activities for the festival are examinations for the ‘Lharampa’ degree (a high degree in Buddhist philosophy). Performance of traditional Tibetan Buddhist dances (Cham) and display giant Thangka paintings. And huge ritual offering cakes (Tormas) that were adorned with very elaborate butter sculptures. On the fifteenth day, the highlight of Monlam Chenmo would be the “Butter Lamp Festival” (Metok Cholpa).

Schedule for Monlam Festival in Amdo

Monasteries Lunar Calander. Activities. Thangka Display Jampa Lingkor Cham

Yigar Monastery

Sangshung Mago Monastery

Sangshung Yago Monastery

Gartse Monastery

Shal Monastery

Dzongkar Monastery

Yarshung Monastery

Gasar Monastery

Gomar Monastery

Nyankok Monastery

Bongya Monastery

Togya monastery

Chung Monastery

Tarshing Monastery

Rongwo Monastery