The origin and development of Shoton festival

July,28 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

In Tibetan "Shoton(Snow Dayton )", the "snow" is the meaning of yogurt, "Dayton" is the meaning of feast, "Snow Dayton" is namely yogurt banquet. May 2006, Shoton festival was included in the first Chinese non-material cultural heritage protection list by the State Council.

Shoton can be traced to the mid of 11th century, when Tibetan Buddhism after the macro ancestor master Atisha monks division of the Indian settled in Nie Tong Temple in Lhasa preach Buddhism during his old age, it’s said that Atisha master loves to eat yogurt. So every summer, the people around Nie pond temple dedicated to consecrate yogurt to him, he always thank people sincere and pray for them. Whoever offers yogurt, gets safety of his family and poultry, also a harvest.

Many famous temples in Tibet will hold the ceremony of Sunning of the Buddha, the address is not limited to Drepung, Sera monastery, the first day of Shoton festival. Drepung, Sera’s exhibition Buddha was not initially scheduled on Tibetan June 30, due to June 30 included the Summer housing system, iron bars Lama handover date Dalai tonsure, tonsure day of the fifth dalai and multiple connotations, Sunning of the Buddha has also been transferred to this day.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

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