On November 1, Nalandabodhi Seattle invites you to join us in celebrating Lhabab Düchen and the consecration of the stupa at Tek Chok Ling for Khenchen Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche.
The celebration of Lhabab Düchen commemorates Buddha Shakyamuni’s descent from the heavenly realm of Tushita back to the human realm. Lha means god, bab means descent, and Düchen means Great Occasion. The Buddha went to Tushita heaven to teach his mother, Mayadevi, who passed away seven days after his birth and was reborn among the pure realms. To repay her kindness, to liberate her and benefit the gods, Buddha spent three months teaching Abhidharma in Tushita Heaven. Then as the gods bowed to him, he descended to earth to continue teaching the dharma in the human realm.
A hallmark of this holiday is appreciation. We especially look with respect to the teachers who have shared the dharma with us, embodying and keeping the lineage of awakening alive in the world. We can rejoice in that activity, and reflect on the abundant good fortune of participating together to help wisdom and compassion flourish at a time that they are desperately needed. Wherever we are and whoever we are with, we can open our hearts with gratitude and engage in generosity and kindness.
Virtuous activities are especially beneficial on this day, when karma is said to be multiplied innumerable times. Lhabab Düchen is certainly a great day for dharma practice!
For the benefit of gathering merit, virtue, and auspiciousness, offerings are encouraged. Fresh fruit, flowers, and goodies for the shrine, as well as potluck contributions, are most welcome.
We look very forward to coming together with you all, in heart and mind, to celebrate and pay homage on this most auspicious occasion.
Schedule
10:00 am Open Meditation (sitting & walking)
11:00 am Remarks by Mitra Tyler Dewar, Songs of Realization, & Liturgical Practice
12:00 pm Community Potluck Lunch
Registration
Nalandabodhi Seattle offers dharma teachings at no cost, but please consider making a donation if you are able.
Questions?
Please contact practice.seattle@nalandabodhi.org if you have questions about this event.
Format
Hybrid – onsite at Nalanda West & online via zoom.
Registration Details
Please register below and look for an auto-email response (subject: “Registration Confirmation – Sunday Open Meditation: Celebrating Lhabab Düchen”).
Please practice generosity when registering so that Nalandabodhi Seattle can continue to offer precious teachings like these to all who are interested in the dharma.
Questions
If you would like to volunteer to help support this Sunday or Sunday Open Meditation in general, please fill out the Sunday volunteering form. If you would like to contribute to the Sunday potluck, please fill out the Sunday Potluck form.
Volunteer Signup Form for Sundays
https://airtable.com/appeQ37Y20exdeoBv/pagCJWPHc8tZzVIt3/form
Sunday Potluck Food Contribution Form
https://airtable.com/appeQ37Y20exdeoBv/pag9ArmkcYcuOelJJ/form
Teacher
Mitra Tyler was born in Nova Scotia, Canada. He has been engaged in the study and practice of Buddhism since 1996, becoming a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche two years later. He began studying the Tibetan language in 1997, and became an oral interpreter and textual translator for Nitartha Institute and Nalandabodhi in 2000.
Tyler joined the faculty of Nitartha Institute in 2003 and was appointed as a senior teacher in Nalandabodhi in 2005. He has served as an oral interpreter for lineage-holding masters of the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. Tyler enjoys teaching on such topics as the four immeasurables, and exploring how the great Buddhist forebears inspire and inform life in the 21st century.
A musician and singer, he has participated in the creation of several ‘melodized’ liturgies and ‘dharma songs.’ Tyler is the father of an amazing daughter and lives in Seattle, Washington.
About the “Mitra” title: In 2005, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche empowered a group of his long-time students to be senior teachers of Nalandabodhi. He gave each of them the title Mitra, which is drawn from the Sanskrit term Kalyanamitra, “spiritual friend.” The Mitras guide Nalandabodhi’s three paths of Study, Meditation, and Mindful Activity and teach throughout the world.
Date/Time
Date(s) - Sun., November 1, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location HYBRID Nalandabodhi Seattle @ Nalanda West
