Lhabab Düchen, is one of the four festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Lhabab Düchen occurs on the 22nd day of the 9th month of Tibetan calendar.
This is a Buddhist festival celebrated to observe the descent of Buddha from heaven back to earth. Buddha had left for heaven at the age of 41. He was exhorted by his follower and representative Maugalyayana to return and after a long debate managed to return. He returned to earth by a special triple ladder prepared by Viswakarma, the god of machines.
Khensur Rinpoche Lobsang Donyo was born in 1925 in a farming family in Lhatse Zong in Tsang Province of Tibet. He was ordained as a monk when he reached the age of 9 and completed memorization of Buddhist texts till the age of 13. When he reached the age of 19, he joined Sera Jey Mahayana Buddhist University in Tibet. He completed the Geshe Lharampa degree (Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy) in 1969. He also received Acharya degree from Sarnath, Instititute of higher studies in 1971.
He joined Gyudme Tantra college and completed his studies in tantric Buddhism in 1980. Following which he started teaching Buddhism in different parts of United States from 1980 to 1999. He was appointed as the abbot of Sera Jey monastery in 1999 and served till 2005. He was also the chairman of Sera Jhe Health Care Committee during that period.
Most Venerable Khensur Donyo, breath his last at 5:55 AM on 3rd November 2009 after a brief illness. He was 84 when he left this world. His tenure made a lot of difference and improvement in the most difficult times of the committee. Without whose guidance and hard work Sera Jhe Health Care Committee would not have reached where it is now.
He has been an inspiration to all of us here at Sera Jhe Monastery and, we know that his passing away will not only leave a void in our lives, but in the hearts of all those who knew him. Khensur Dhoyo la will always remain within our hearts, and we pray for speedy birth of his reincarnation. With a heavy heart we bid good bye to our most venerable Khensur Donyo la.
We know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their inspiration leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love, guidance and teachings.
Sera Jhe Health Care Committee known as SJHCC, is a non-profit charitable organization registered under the Government of India's society registration Act XXI of 1960. The SJHCC is fully managed by monks, who are democratically elected by the representatives of the general monks for a term of three years voluntary services.(For more info. visit www.serajhehealth.org)
