Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s1.t5.6

v2.c12.s1.t5.6

Butter Lamp Festival held at Labrang Monastery (bla brang bkra shes vkhyil) once a year has its own religious connotation and cultural originality. It begins on the 24th day of 10th month and lasts three days to pay homage to Tsongkhapa (25th day) and his disciples Jamyang Choje (24th day) and Jamchen Choje (26th day). New sacrifices will be offered at daytime of 25th day and followers worship the Buddha, and hold sacrificial ceremonies and prayers. At night, the hall and palace roofs are lit up with butter-oil lamps. It looks as if many stars fell to the mortal world so that people could worship and pay homage.