Lha Bab Duchen celebrating the descent of the Buddha from the heavens after teaching his mother and the gods

On this day, the 22nd day of the the ninth lunar month, Tibetan Buddhists commemorate the descent of the  historical Buddha Śākyamuni from Trāyastriṃśa, “The Heaven of the Thirty-Three”. The Buddha, out of compassion, had traveled there to teach the gods of the desire realms.  Through his teaching there, he also repaid the kindness of his mother who had taken rebirth in this heaven. This activity is  listed as one of the eight great deeds of the Buddha. Special days such as this are merit-multiplying days where our virtuous deeds are multiplied millions of times. Therefore, we engage in virtuous activities and prayer on this day.