Senior monks lead the Wien
Thien ceremony at Wat Dhamsamakhee during Makha Bucha (Buddhist All Saints)
Day, March 7. Thousands upon thousands of faithful visited their local
temples to make merit, offer tak bat and perform the Wien Thien ceremony.
Staff Reporters
Whether at temples or behind bars, Buddhists throughout
the Eastern Seaboard celebrated Makha Bucha Day with prayers, alms giving
and meditation.
Buddhist “All Saints Day” commemorates when 1,250
disciples traveled to meet with Lord Buddha with no prearranged agreement at
Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of Rachakhryha, India.
In Pattaya, thousands of devout Buddhists turned out at
local temples to conduct ceremonies that have been performed throughout
Buddhist history, and make merit for themselves and their families.
Lighting candles and making
an offering to Buddha at Wat Nong - Or, Central Pattaya early morning on
Makha Bucha Day.
The morning ceremonies were filled with people presenting
offerings to the monks, performing “tak baht” and listening to monks preach
the Dharma, or teachings, of the Buddha.
Ceremonies were continued in the evening, with many
people performing the “Wien Thien” whereby believers light candles and
circle the temple’s prayer room three times, paying homage to the “Triple
Gem” or the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
Worshipping or “Bucha” occurs on the 15th day of the
waning moon of the third lunar month, or “Makha.” This year the event fell
on March 7.
In Sattahip, thousands of faithful congregated at
Sattahip Temple’s Prien Pavillion to offer meat, rice desserts, candles,
flowers and incense to monks.
Young monks at Wat
Dhamsamakhee, South Pattaya prepare to perform their solemn ceremony.
In the evening, Adm. Somchai Na Bangchang, deputy
commander of the Air and Coastal Defense Command, welcomed Provost
Santiburopthit of Chakmaak Temple in Rayong to give the sermon and chant the
Chaiyamongkol Khatha Pathokdham. About 300 military and government officials
attending meditated for peace and to reminisce Lord Buddha.
Meditation was also practiced by about 90 inmates at
Sattahip Prison, where warden Rear Adm. Suthichok Thaweewong had been
ordered to have inmates give alms, observe religious precepts for eight days
and listen to sermons from nine monks from Sattahip Temple. The hope was the
prisoners would be enlightened to respect public consciousness and admit
their sins.
The day gained official recognition in Thailand during
the reign of King Rama IV and became a nationally observed day with all
government institutions closing down and observing the rituals associated
with Buddhist commandments.
People pay homage to the most
revered monks at Wat Nong - Or, Central Pattaya.
Disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and the journey to
meet with the Buddha on the 15th night of the third lunar month are part of
the historical events that include the sermons and truths spoken by the
Buddha.
Having good intentions, not harming others, avoiding evil
actions and making the heart and mind pure in thought were among the truths
spoken by the Buddha. Additionally, other truths spoken by the Buddha
cautioned individual restraint in all that attracts one’s attention, to
include desiring possessions belonging to others, and exploiting others for
personal gain.
Before departing, the Buddha also referred to the
people’s interest in making merit, gaining self-esteem and a comfortable
reassurance that moral integrity exists. More importantly, having faith in
the “Triple Gem” (Phraratanatrai) was illustrated by emphasizing the
importance of avoiding drunken, irresponsible and immoral behavior, and
maintaining focus on supporting loved ones while being content in one’s
existence with friends and without selfish greed.
Faithful Buddhists pray and
listen to monks chant on Buddhist All Saints Day at Wat Nong Prue.
People mingle on Walking
Street, although all bars are closed due to national laws regarding
religious holidays.
Buddhists light candle and
joss sticks at Wat Satawat.
Hundreds of faithful gather
at Wat Dhamsamakhee, South Pattaya at the beginning of the day.
Adorning a Buddha statue with
flakes of gold to make merit at Wat Satawat.
Early Makha Bucha morning,
people pray to Buddha at Wat Dhamsamakhee, South Pattaya.
Thousands of Sattahip
Buddhists congregate in Prien Pavilion at Wat Sattahip on this most
auspicious day.
Buddhists young and old, with
the younger people assisting the older people, solemnly perform the Wien
Thien ceremony at Wat Nong Prue.
Faithful Buddhist make merit
at Wat Satawat
With intense concentration,
this gentleman prepares a candle to offer his temple.
Adm. Somchai Na Bangchang,
deputy commander of ACDC, leads more than 300 soldiers to perform Buddhist
religious rites.
A young vendor prepares to
sell her garlands so that people can make merit on Makha Bucha Day.
Revered monks lead the Wien
Thien procession at Wat Nong Prue.
Buddhist lay offerings at a
sacred tree to make merit at Wat Nong Prue.
Women prepare tak bat to be
given monk at Wat Dhamsamakhee, South Pattaya.
Buddhists quietly walk three
times around the temple prayer house, performing the Wien Thien ceremony in
the evening at Wat Nong Prue.
Prisoners at Sattahip Prison
offer alms to monks and observe the 8 day religious precepts.
