The Samye Monastery in Shannan holds rituals to worship sutras on the 15th day of each 5th month.

Worshipping sutras is called as Dorde Qoiba in Tibetan, and the tradition was said to have been created by Muni Tsampo of the Tubo period.

The Samye Monastery, built in the mid-8th century during the period of the 5th Tubo king, is the first monastery comprising: Buddha, Buddhist doctrines and monks in Tibetan history.

According to historical records, the 5th Tubo king was the son of Tang Dynasty Princess Jincheng. In 754, when Trisong Detsan was ruling, he purged the ranks of his government for the propagation of the Bon religion. For this purpose, he twice invited eminent monks from India, including Santideva and Padmasambhava, to lecture on Buddhism in Tibet.

Trisong Detsan authorized Santideva to build Tibet first monastery: the Samye Monastery. The project was a failure. Padmasambhava was then to have the monastery built. Santideva blueprint was still used, but the monastery was built on a new site which Padmasambhava chose. When the monastery was built, Santideva became its first abbot.

Muni Tsampo was the second son of Trisong Detsan, and he became Tubo king in 796. As the new king was a staunch Buddhist, Buddhism was in vogue in Tibet. He granted religious objects to the Samye Monastery and managed to build up the disciplines of the Jokhang Monastery and the Qamzhub Monastery.



The new king also ordered on three occasions that steps be taken to achieve equality between rich and poor. To ensure success, he sought advice from an eminent monk who advised the king to worship Buddha and give alms to the poor. Then, the king granted three sutra books to the monasteries, along with sacrificial objects. He also gave generous alms to the ordinary people. This formed a tradition in the Samye Monastery lasting 1,210 years.

During the traditional celebration, the monastery holds a Chammo performance and various religious activities. The perennial Dorde Qoiba has become one of the important traditional festivals.

China's Tibet Magazine
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