Grand “Sunning of the Buddha” Ceremony Draws Over 40,000 Believers and Visitors at Labrang Monastery
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Labrang Monastery in northwest China’s Gansu Province hosted the annual “sunning of the Buddha” ceremony, attracting over 40,000 believers and visitors from across the globe on Thursday.
The ceremony, a significant tradition at Labrang Monastery, one of the six great temples of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, unfolded with 100 lamas carrying a massive thangka scroll depicting the image of the Buddha. The procession, from the scripture hall to a nearby hill, was accompanied by devout Buddhists and curious visitors eager to witness the sacred event.
At approximately 11 a.m., the thangka was unveiled on the hillside, becoming the focal point for believers to express their reverence. Devotees and tourists alike presented hadas, traditional white ceremonial scarves, to the sacred scroll, offering prayers for good luck and blessings.
The event, which lasted about half an hour, concluded with a profound sense of spirituality and cultural celebration.
Zhou Guangping, a photography enthusiast from Guangdong Province, expressed his enthusiasm for attending the event. “Having heard my friends talk about the spectacular ‘sunning of the Buddha’ event at Labrang Monastery, I made a special trip here just to record this grand festival with my camera, experience the Tibetan folk culture, and hope that it will bring my family safety and happiness,” Zhou shared.
Labrang Monastery, established in 1709, holds a prestigious position as a top educational institution for Tibetan Buddhism in China. The “sunning of the Buddha” ceremony, observed annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month, not only holds immense religious significance for Buddhists but also serves as a captivating platform to showcase the unique Tibetan culture and customs to a diverse audience of tourists.
The successful and spiritually enriching ceremony reinforces Labrang Monastery’s cultural prominence and its commitment to preserving and sharing the profound traditions of Tibetan Buddhism with the world.
