15 Wonders of Buddha (Monlam Chhenmo) (03/02)

The «Great Prayer» Monlam Chhenmo is timed to coincide with the New Year. From the 2nd to the 16th lunar day of the Sagaalkha, lamas will read a special prayer service — Monlam Chenmo (Great prayer service — tib.). This holiday lasts for 15 days and is dedicated to the memory of 15 miracles that, according to legend, Shakyamuni Buddha performed in the Indian city of Shravasti.

The first «Great Prayer», or «Great Prayer», dates back to the early 15th century, when the famous Tibetan reformer of Buddhism and founder of the Gelug-pa school, Zhe Zonghawa, developed rules for holding holidays in Buddhist monasteries, including Monlam Chhenmo in their list.

According to legend, soon after the Buddha began preaching his teachings, he had many disciples. Six ascetic monks, who were abandoned by their disciples who became followers of the Buddha, hated him for this and began to publicly mock the Teacher, demonstrating various miracles to others as proof of their correctness. The Buddha did not pay attention to them, but one day the disciples asked him to put these false teachers to shame, who caused only evil and anxiety to others. Buddha agreed. The location chosen was the — city of Shravasti, where he performed his 15 miracles, one miracle a day, — creating worldwide fame for himself.

During the solemn prayer services dedicated to Monlam Chhenmo, the rite of annual renewal of the faith is performed, and after their completion, exams are held for monks wishing to receive a higher rank.

In the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, the prayer services of Monlam Chhenmo are performed in Jokhang —, one of the oldest temples in the city. According to tradition, during the Monlam Chhenmo, power in Lhasa is symbolically transferred to the abbots of the three monasteries of the Gelug-pa school: Galdan, Sera and Drepung.

On the 15th day of the holiday (always the day of the full moon), it is customary to make special figures from melted butter for sculptural dramatization of the 15 wonders of the Buddha and display them in monasteries. Puppet shows are held in monasteries on the same topics and theatrical Cham mysteries are held.

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