Tuesday, May 17, is one of the most venerated
holidays on the Buddhist calendar: Visakha Bucha Day. This Buddhist Holy
Day marks the beginning of the Buddhist Era 2,553 years ago, and
celebrates the miracle of the Buddha being born, reaching enlightenment
and passing away and achieving final release from the circle of rebirth,
all on the same date.
Devout Buddhists participate in ceremonies at nearby
temples, making merit in the morning by bringing alms to monks and
listening to sermons. Later this evening devotees will continue
assembling at temples to conduct the “Wien Thien” ceremony, walking
around sacred temple grounds three times holding candles, joss sticks
and flowers honoring the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and the
Sangha (the Buddhist Monastic Order).
For this holiday, killing any kind of animal and
drinking alcohol or intoxicating substances is forbidden for 3 days.
Wats are to be adorned with lanterns, flowers and joss sticks as symbols
of worship, and fireworks will be lit for three days to celebrate.
Banks and government offices are closed for this
holiday. Although not mandatory, the government is asking that no
alcohol be served on this day, and that all bars and entertainment
venues close for 1 day. An unnamed police spokesman told Pattaya Mail
that police will strictly enforce this “request”.
