The second day of a two-day Dharma program is taking place today, Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Rashi Gempil Ling Buddhist Center in Howell, New Jersey. The program is organized by Sera Mey Thoesam Norling Center New York Inc. and coincides with Lhabab Duchen, the Buddhist holy day commemorating the Buddha’s descent from Tushita Heaven.
Today’s schedule begins with morning tea at 9:00 AM. From 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM the community gathers for the Medicine Buddha Ritual Practice, accompanied by the traditional chanting melodies of Sera Mey Monastic University. A tea break follows from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
At 11:30 AM the Medicine Buddha Jenang, or blessing empowerment, is bestowed. Participants then break for lunch from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. The afternoon session, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, is a Medicine Buddha Purification and Cleansing Ritual known as Jabtru. This ceremony is performed to purify negative karma, obscurations, and spiritual impediments according to the Medicine Buddha practice.
The program concludes today after the purification ritual, marking the end of the two-day Dharma event. Rashi Gempil Ling, located at 47 East 5th Street, Howell, NJ 07731, is the first Kalmyk Buddhist temple established in the United States and continues to host teachings and rituals for the local Kalmyk and broader Buddhist community.
Holding the second day of the Medicine Buddha program on Lhabab Duchen gives the gathering special significance. On this day, positive actions and offerings are traditionally regarded as carrying greater merit. The combination of the Medicine Buddha empowerment, ritual practice, and purification on this holy day offers participants an opportunity for both spiritual benefit and community connection.
Contact information for Rashi Gempil :Ling is available through their website for the the temple.