Monlam prayer festival in Tibet

Considered the most important event for Tibetan Buddhists, the great prayer festival of Monlam begins three days after the Lunar New Year in western China, the Tibetan ethnic region, and is celebrated for nearly two weeks.

Các tu sĩ từ tu viện Labrang ở quận Xiahe — Monks from Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County

During Monlam, millions of pilgrims visit monasteries to pray for good fortune in the new year and to make offerings to their deceased loved ones.

Một cô gái ném những tờ giấy tượng trưng cho sự may mắn trên một ngọn đồi nhìn ra tu viện Labrang trong kỳ Monlam. — A girl throws lucky paper slips on a hill overlooking Labrang Monastery during Monlam.

One of the most popular destinations for pilgrims is Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Founded in 1709, the monastery is one of the six largest monasteries of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is home to thousands of monks.

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Các tu sĩ và tín đồ tham dự lễ hội cầu nguyện tại tu viện Labrang — Monks and devotees attend a prayer festival at Labrang Monastery.

The main events of the festival are held in the final days. First is the Buddha presentation ceremony, in which Tibetan Buddhist monks carry a 30-meter thangka (a sacred painting on cloth) depicting the Buddha up the hillside above Labrang Monastery for thousands of devotees to admire.

Các nhà sư mở ra thangka mô tả Đức Phật để trưng bày cho những người thờ phượng và những du khách khác trong lễ hội. — The monks unfolded thangkas depicting the Buddha to display to worshippers and other visitors during the festival.

The following day, monks dressed as deities and protectors of the Dharma (Dharma as the teachings of Buddha in general) performed the Cham dance. With slow, repetitive movements, the ritual, lasting for hours, was performed to ward off evil spirits and invoke great benefits for humanity. Devout Buddhists used the dance for meditation and spiritual connection with the gods. Finally, everyone joined a large procession.

Người hành hương và những người thờ phượng mang theo chuỗi hạt cầu nguyện — Pilgrims and worshippers carry prayer beads.

Người hành hương và những người thờ phượng mang theo bánh xe cầu nguyện — Pilgrims and worshippers carry prayer wheels.

Các nhà sư đi trong một đám rước xung quanh tu viện — The monks walked in a procession around the monastery.

On the evening of the following day, all the monks and pilgrims went to see the sculptures made from yak butter by Tibetan Buddhist monks, which traditionally represent an offering to the Buddha and the gods.

Người hành hương đi trên một mạch của tu viện — Pilgrims walk along a path through the monastery.

On the final day of the festival, one last grand procession is held, when Tibetan Buddhist monks carry a statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, performing a Kora (pilgrimage circuit) around Labrang Monastery along with thousands of pilgrims.

Một đỉnh đồi nhìn ra tu viện Labrang — A hilltop overlooking Labrang Monastery

Although the Chinese Communist Party is atheist, the country recognizes the existence of five religions, including Buddhism, alongside numerous folk beliefs. Most Tibetans practice Tibetan Buddhism, a distinct branch of Buddhism.