Tsong Kha-Pa's Festival

Tsong Kha-pa's Festival

The festival was named after Tsong Kha-pa. Oct 25 of Tibetan calendar was the date of death of Tsong Kha-pa, who was the founder of Gelug sect of Lamaism. As soon as the sun sets on that day, all the households would light the rolls of butter-oil lamps on the rooftops, walls and windows. Looking from a high place, the city has become an ocean of lights, very beautiful and splendid. People flock to the temples nearby to worship Buddha and role the scripture cylinders. Lamas then blow the long horns to show the respect to Tsong Kha-pa.

In some areas, three days prior to the festival, children would begin to beg for money and food from door to door. It is believed that the money and food which they begged during these days are blessed power given by Tsong Kha-pa, so it’s something for good luck and people would always offer something to them. On the eve of Tsong Kha-pa’s festival, the children gather together, chanting scriptures and eating the food which they begged ,having a good time through out the night.

As Han-Tibetan communication increases, Han festivals and national holidays have spread over Tibetan areas, especially in the cities. For example, people don’t need to work during Chinese New Year ( the Spring Festival), a Han festival. They even celebrate the festival in a Han way, such as putting up Spring Couplets. As for national holidays, Chamdo and some other areas have formed a tradition of hoisting the national ensign and sing the national song. People would hang the national ensign spontaneously on major holidays like the National Day. In the town of Chamdo, the red flag can be seen nearly at all households on Oct 1st of each year. It creates such a pretty and wonderful scene.