Shoton Festival 雪顿节

The Shoton Festival opens with the grand unveiling of the Buddha at Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery, with Drepung’s ceremony being the most magnificent. At dawn on the 30th day of the sixth Tibetan month, hundreds of monks, accompanied by a religious orchestra, solemnly carry a massive silk thangka of the Buddha—stretching tens of meters high—out of the monastery and unfurl it across the steep hillside behind the temple. This sacred moment allows tens of thousands of monks, devotees, and laypeople to worship and pay homage.

雪顿节的序幕由哲蚌寺与色拉寺的展佛仪式揭开，其中哲蚌寺的展佛最为盛大。每年藏历六月三十日拂晓，数百名僧人合力将一幅高达数十米的巨幅丝绸佛像唐卡在宗教乐队的伴奏下缓缓迎出，并庄严地悬挂在寺庙后山的陡峭坡面之上，供成千上万的僧俗信众瞻礼朝拜。

The unveiling at Drepung Monastery is widely regarded as the most solemn and spectacular rite of the Shoton Festival. At 8 a.m., under the first rays of sunlight and the resonant sound of ritual horns, a colossal multi-colored silk image of Shakyamuni—spanning over 500 square meters—slowly comes into view. With its serene countenance radiating compassion and wisdom, the image inspires profound reverence, as tens of thousands of pilgrims join their palms in deep devotion.

哲蚌寺展佛被普遍认为是雪顿节最为庄重而壮观的宗教仪式。清晨八时，伴随着深沉肃穆的法号声，一幅面积超过五百平方米的多彩丝织释迦牟尼像缓缓展现。佛像面容安详，散发出无言的慈悲与智慧，引得万余名信众合掌顶礼，场面庄严恢宏。

During the festival, Norbulingka, the summer palace behind the Potala, becomes the central venue for Tibetan opera. Performances continue daily from noon until dusk, featuring classical works such as Langsa Wenbo, Drowa Sangmo, Suji Nima, Pema Wenba, Drime Kunden, Donyo Dondrup, Theba Dampa, and Princess Wencheng. Distinguished by powerful vocals, rhythmic recitations, vivid masks, solemn costumes, and graceful movements, Tibetan opera has, over more than six centuries, developed into a refined art form rich in aesthetic and cultural depth.

节日期间，布达拉宫后方的罗布林卡成为藏戏表演的核心场所。自中午至黄昏，剧目接连上演，包括《朗萨雯波》、《卓娃桑姆》、《苏吉尼玛》、《贝玛雯巴》、《智美更登》、《东珠顿珠》、《德巴当巴》以及《文成公主》等经典之作。藏戏以浑厚的唱腔、节奏鲜明的念白、色彩斑斓的面具、庄重的服饰以及优雅的舞蹈而著称，经过六百余年的传承与发展，形成了独特的艺术体系与文化内涵。

At the same time, Tibetan families and communities hold Lingka picnics in Norbulingka. Colorful tents are set up, mats and carpets spread out, and festive food and drinks prepared. Amid shaded poplars, lush lawns, or riverbanks, families and friends dressed in their finest traditional attire gather to sing, dance, feast, and celebrate the joy of reunion in a lively and harmonious atmosphere.

与此同时，藏族民众会在罗布林卡举办“过林卡”活动。人们搭建彩色帐篷，铺设地毯与垫席，准备美食与酒饮，在杨柳成荫、草地青青或溪流环绕的环境中，与亲友欢聚，载歌载舞，尽享节日的欢乐与团聚之情。

Beyond religious rituals and artistic performances, traditional competitions are also integral to the festival. Yak racing and horse racing, showcasing both the strength of the animals and the skill of the riders, captivate large audiences with their intensity and excitement. These events not only provide popular entertainment but also embody the pastoral traditions and enduring vitality of Tibetan culture, making the Shoton Festival a vivid synthesis of religious devotion and communal festivity.

除了宗教仪式与文艺表演，雪顿节还包含一系列传统竞技活动。赛牦牛与赛马是其中最受欢迎的环节，骑手的娴熟技艺与牲畜的力量之美相互辉映，场面紧张而热烈。这些活动不仅是民众娱乐的方式，更彰显了藏民族的牧业传统与生命活力，使雪顿节成为兼具宗教庄严与世俗欢愉的综合性节日。