July 15 & 16
To wrap up yesterday’s
annual Buddhist Lent candle parade down Beach Road, today, July 15 at 9
a.m., city officials and staff, students and residents will gather at
Wat Nong Or in Central Pattaya for a solemn ceremony to present the
winning candles to the monks there. These candles then will be
distributed to various local temples.
This year, the Buddhist holy days of Asalaha
Bucha and Khao Pansaa fall on July 15 and 16. Both are
recognized public holidays, and therefore banks and most businesses will
be closed. Since Buddhist Lent falls on a Saturday, the official holiday
will be observed on Monday, July 18.
It is also against the rules to sell alcoholic
beverages during the beginning of Buddhist Len, which means bars and
entertainment places will be closed for the 4th
straight weekend, this time 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
15)
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 15. “Asalaha
Bucha” means paying homage and worshiping on the day identified
according to the lunar calendar during the eighth month, Ahsala 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 Ahsala 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 16)
The day following the start of Buddhist Lent (Asalaha
Bucha Day) another important Buddhist holy day begins in Thailand with
the custom called Khao Pansaa. 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 16, 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.