The Festival in Tibet (2)

Mon-lam Chenmo (Great Dharma Transmission Ceremony)
The Mon-lam Chenmo Ceremony, or The Great Dharma Transmission Ceremony, extends from the fourth to the fifteenth day of the first Tibetan lunisolar month, and is in celebration of Lord Buddha Sakyamuni. As such, Mon-lam Chenmo corresponds to the first part of the Smom-lam Festival.

TOPThe Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, also known as the Butter Lamp Festival, is also celebrated annually on the fifteenth day of the first lunisolar month by Tibetans living in Qinghai and Gansu Provinces. It is the last day of the Mon-lam Chenmo Ceremony, which also corresponds to The Day of the Living Buddhas, or the date on which the Buddha was victorious in a debate against heretics. Worshippers assemble in Barkhor Street in Lhasa on this day, where they show their devotion to Sakyamuni all day and into the night. The custom is to light thousands of lamps fashioned into an assortment of designs, including immortals, animals, flying birds, beasts, and flowers, and all "powered" by rendered butter.

TOPThe Second Month
TOPThe Exorcism Festival
On the seventh day of the second month, a group of worshippers play the role of ghosts in need of exorcism, who are chased across the Darxia River, from whence they may not return for seven days. After the seven days have passed, the ghosts emerge, purged.

TOPHomage to Buddha Festival
On the eighth day of the second lunisolar month, the monks of the monasteries chant scripture publicly, and put a giant image of Buddha, as well as a number of other Buddhist relics, on open display.

TOPCongjue
Another dharma ceremony, the Congjue Ceremony, is held toward the end of the second month. The activities of Congjue are similar to those of the Mon-lam Chenmo Ceremony, only on a smaller scale, therefore Congjue has also been dubbed the Small Dharma Transmission Ceremony.