Monlam

Monlam, also known as the Great Prayer Festival, is a major Tibetan Buddhist festival focused on prayer, scriptural recitation, and communal worship. The festival originated with Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school, in the 14th–15th centuries as a large-scale effort to dedicate merit through prayers for the welfare of all beings and the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings. It is traditionally observed in the first month of the Tibetan lunar calendar and was historically centered in Lhasa, with major ceremonies held at monasteries such as Ganden, Drepung, Sera, and at the Jokhang temple.

Observances include extensive recitations of sutras and tantras, ritual offerings, butter lamp ceremonies, and various devotional rituals. Monastic communities may engage in scholastic activities such as debates, while lay participants join in long prayer services that can extend for days. In some locations, public processions, the display of sacred scriptures or images, and ritual dances are part of the festivities. The festival has spread to other Tibetan Buddhist communities in Nepal, India, Mongolia, Bhutan, and among the diaspora, where local monasteries hold similar programs in accordance with their traditions.

In modern times, Monlam remains a central expression of devotion and a focal point for monastic education and collective prayer. While the exact practices and scale can vary by region and community, the festival continues to symbolize spiritual renewal, monastic solidarity, and the aspiration for peace and welfare for all beings.