The Light Festival of Buddhism is a religious festival. October 25 in lunar calendar is the day when Tsongkhapa, the 108-year old initiator of Shamanism, passed away. The monks and the people light the Buddhist lights for his funeral. Since then, some disciples initiated the Buddhist Light Festival to memorize this giant in religion. Some people also say that it is for memorizing the birthday of Tsongkhapa. With the flourishing of Shamanism in Mongolia area, this festival becomes popular as well.
People who live near Mongolia tribe of Oyrat pile up a 6-chi-high Aobao with mud or bricks half li away southeast of Hotton on that day. When the sky is dotted with stars, all the families will bring out their self-made Buddhist lights and stick them into the Aobao with the guide of an elder. They make so many Buddhist lights because Tsongkhapa lived for 108 years and they want to bring back good luck for themselves. The Aobao is full of lights and becomes a splendid light hill. People kneel down below the light hill, praying to Tsongkhapa for longevity, health and safety. Then they make three circuits of the light hill and go back their homes for tea and jiaozi.
There is different between the Buddhist Light Festivals of Chahar Mongolia and Mongolia tribe of Oyrat. In Chahar area, people carry out their Buddhist lights and put them in the Aobao, living room, cooling room, sheepfold and lamb shed when the stars come out. Everyone hold burning incense in hand and light all the Buddhist lights leading by an elder. Then they gather in a big family chanting Mani sutra around the fire while cooking a pot of delicious mutton. When the chanting is finished, the mutton is done. They share the holy food bestowed by the Buddha and then go back for a sleep.
Balin Mongolia will make a snack called "menglisenbada" on that day. Grind the fried rice into rice screenings. Fry with butter and add brown sugar in. Press them into hard blocks with "pana" (mold for making dried milk cake). Cut into squares and triangles. People give them away as gifts. When the adults are chanting the Mani, the children are running about and chasing each other happily. In the morning of the next day, kids are still the most active. They get up early and go to every house for the Buddhist lights. The lamp wicks of the lights have burnt out and the oil is dry. The butter soaks into the light and the hot fire bakes the light to done. The Buddhist lights, made from sugar, milk and flour, become a snack with special flavor.
