People perform the Wien
Thien ceremony around Luang Pho Yim at Wat Khao Phra Yai during last
year’s Khao Pansaa.
This year, the Buddhist holy days of Asalaha Bucha
and Khao Pansaa fall on August 11 & 12. Both are recognized public
holidays, and therefore banks and most businesses will be closed. Also,
since Khao Pansaa falls on a Saturday, Monday, July 14 will also be a
holiday in lieu of Saturday July 12.
It is also against the rules to sell alcoholic beverages during the
beginning of Buddhist Lent, which means bars and entertainment places
will be closed on Friday and Saturday nights.
Many activities are planned throughout the city, especially at our
temples, and everyone is invited to take part.
Asalaha Bucha Day (July 11)
The Buddhist Holy Day of Asalaha Bucha falls on the 15th
night (15 kham) of the full moon during the eighth month of the Buddhist
Lunar calendar, this year equating to Friday, July 11. “Asalaha Bucha”
means paying homage and worshiping on the day identified according to
the lunar calendar during the eighth month, Asalaha being the name of
the eighth month in the Pali language.
Asalaha Bucha Day is worshipped because of three important events
occurring on the day. Called the “Triple Gem” (the Buddha, Dharma and
Sangha), these commemorate the first sermon given by the Buddha, called
the “Dharmachakapavattama Sutta” concerning the “Four Noble Truths”
presented to the Buddha’s first five disciples. The sermon set in motion
the “Wheel of Dharma”, which is the meaning of “Dharmachaka”.
The sermon concluded that: 1. All things are a source of suffering from
the constant cycle of birth, disease, old age and death. 2. Desire or
the inability to obtain what one desires is the cause of suffering
resulting from cause and effect. 3. Freedom from suffering can be
obtained after the complete cessation of desire. 4. The last of the Four
Noble Truths is the “Middle Way”, or the path between extremes of
asceticism and indulgence leading to the eliminating of desire. The
Eight-Fold Path consists of possessing the correct: Views, Resolve,
Speech, Conduct, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness, and Meditation (or
Concentration).
Secondly, the day is considered to be the birth of Buddhism, as the
Buddha departed the location where he obtained his enlightenment two
months earlier and then, coming to a forest area in the city of
Pharansi, he showed favour to five ascetics who became his followers.
The third of the Triple Gems is the Sangha. On this same day, the first
person listened to the Buddha’s sermon, realising the truths contained
therein and becoming the first Buddhist monk. This created the Buddhist
order “Sangha” and the day is known as “Sangha Day” as well as Asalaha
Bucha Day.
The Thai government established the observance of Asalaha Bucha Day in
1958. Buddhist temples throughout the Kingdom arrange ceremonies
venerating these important historic events. Devout Buddhists participate
in the ceremonies by presenting offerings to monks, listening to sermons
and performing ritual prayers.
The entire day is revered and certain precepts are adhered to by the
more devout Buddhist, and by those who have the inclination and
opportunity to do so. The Wien Thien ritual ceremony is performed in the
evening as many go to nearby temples bringing candles, flowers and joss
sticks, completing three trips walking around the temple area sacred
grounds.
Khao Pansaa
(July 12)
The day after Asalaha Bucha Day, another important Buddhist
holy day begins in Thailand with the custom called Khao Pansaa, the
start of Buddhist Lent. This day falls on the first full moon (1 kham)
of the Buddhist lunar calendar during the eighth month of every year,
which this year equates to Saturday, July 12, and ends on the 15th full
moon (15 kham) of the 11th month of the Buddhist calendar, usually in
mid-October. During a leap ear it is identified during the second eighth
month.
The term “Khao Pansaa” can also translate to entering the months of the
rainy season when monks return to the temple for the duration of the
rains, usually to the temple where they were ordained. They stay there
for approximately three months. The monks are not supposed to depart the
temple, or stay overnight at any other location during the months of
rain. Although the rainy season is considered to be longer than three
months, lasting up to four or even more, monks are only required to
remain at the temples for three months. During the last period of the
rainy season they can then go elsewhere when the Katin ceremony is
performed, whereby new robes are presented to the monks at the temples.
Initially, monks were discouraged from travelling during the rainy
season because of the idea that it was inappropriate to walk about
during the rainy season when many small living creatures were about,
which could be accidentally stepped on. This included the rice crops.
Inclement weather also made it difficult to get out and about.
Therefore, it was established long ago that the monks would remain in
temples during the rains for three months, discussing and studying
Buddhist scriptures, following Buddhist disciplines, meditating and
performing ritual ceremonies.
The custom of Khao Pansaa has continued to this day with three classes
of ceremonies, a Royal ceremony conducted by the King of Thailand,
ritual ceremonies for devout followers of Buddhism throughout the
Kingdom and ceremonies performed by monks in the temples.
The Royal ceremony is similar to the ceremony performed by the general
public, but more elaborate. HM the King and members of the Royal Family
perform ritual ceremonies to pay homage to Buddhism, and present Khao
Pansaa candles and traditional garments to Buddhist monks. The Royal
Family also donates many other items used in these ceremonies.
Other followers of Buddhism all over Thailand will attend temples in the
morning, bringing food, necessity items, money, the traditional candles,
garments and ceremonial items for the monks, with flowers and candles in
hand.
For those people having devout faith they may refrain from the
recognised eight offences for the duration of the three month rainy
season just as monks do, while others may give up a single vice, with
yet others recognising the 5-8 offences for the day.
The ceremonies performed by monks in temples revolve around rituals
accepting new monks, who take vows for periods up to the three months,
with some staying even longer. Senior monks at each monastery perform
other ceremonies leading followers in worship and prayer.
The two main items presented to monks during Khao Pansaa are the candles
and garments worn by monks, specifically the bathing robe. The candles
were essential in former times and needed for ceremonies, studying
scriptures and performing various other functions. The candle offering
has developed into a custom still followed.
The presentation of garments worn by monks is said to have originated
from methods of bathing in former times, commonly done in community
areas using streams, rivers, ponds and other sources of water, with
monks requiring a bathing robe. The garments worn by monks continued to
develop until the custom included presenting the entire arrangement worn
by monks.
Many people take time away from their work on Khao Pansaa to recognise
the importance of the Buddhist Holy Day. Everyone is invited to
participate in the temple ceremonies and to refrain from offensive
behaviour for the day, and to make the same effort thereafter.
