August 2 & 3
The Diana Group and
members of the Press Association of Pattaya celebrate the start of
Buddhist Lent by offering candles and supplies to monks at local
temples.
This year, the Buddhist holy days of
Asalaha Bucha and Khao Pansaa fall on August 2 & 3.
Both are recognized public holidays, and therefore banks and most
businesses will be closed.
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 Thursday and Friday
nights.
Many activities are planned throughout the city,
especially at our temples, and everyone is invited to take part.
Asalaha Bucha Day
(August 2)
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 Thursday, August
2. “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
(August 3)
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 Friday,
August 3, 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.
