LHABAB DUECHEN: A Buddhist Mother's Day

While many countries celebrate Mother's Day following the American tradition established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, Buddhist communities have their own profound connection to honouring mothers through Lhabab Duechen. This sacred occasion commemorates one of Buddha's Eight Great Deeds—his descent from Tushita Heaven after teaching dharma to his mother, Maya Devi.

The story of Buddha's devotion to his mother serves as a powerful teaching. After Maya Devi passed away before experiencing his enlightened teachings, Buddha journeyed to the heavenly realms to find her. During three months in Trayastrimsha heaven, he shared his profound wisdom not only with his mother but with all present. Through her exceptional merit, Maya Devi attained arhatship—demonstrating that the path to enlightenment begins with honouring one's mother.

Buddhism teaches that we have had countless mothers across our multiple past lives, each showing us the same love and care as our present mother. This is why Buddhist prayers begin with "Ma sem chen tham che"—addressing all sentient beings as our mothers. This perspective transforms individual gratitude into universal compassion, a principle that resonates across all faiths and even with non-believers.

While we may not have Buddha's power to locate or liberate our mothers from previous lives, we can honour our present mother in practical ways. Lhabab Duechen offers an opportunity to express our gratitude through meaningful gestures—spending quality time together and showing the same care she has always shown us.

In 2017, His Holiness the Je Khenpo of Bhutan officially recognized this connection by decreeing Lhabab Duechen as Mother's Day. This alignment beautifully bridges ancient Buddhist wisdom with contemporary celebrations of maternal love.

This year, on November 22, 2024, the Dharma Centres if Sikkim will all gather  at Phamarong, Pelling where the centre will honor this tradition through a special Chod ritual wang, lung, and tsok led by Serta Khyentse Tulku Rinpoche. The Domang Tersar Choed 'Amai Nyengyu' ceremony revealed by Terton Dorjee Dechen Lingpa, manifestion of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo, particularly significant to Denjong, is dedicated to Ama Yeshi Tsogyal and celebrates the divine feminine energy while remembering mothers of both present and past lives.

Through these observances, we recognize that Buddhist philosophy transcends mere religious practice—it is a science of mind, grounded in logic and infinite compassion, with the power to build a better world. The celebration of Lhabab Duechen reminds us that gratitude toward our mothers is not just a yearly observance but a pathway to universal compassion and understanding.

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