More than 1,000 Chonburi residents chanted “the ultimate prayer” for three days and nights to mark Asalaha Bucha Day and the start of Buddhist Lent.
Chonburi Red Cross President Bussarawadee Eakchai kicked off the “Itipiso” prayer ceremony July 20 at the Buddha Savika Office in Klongkiew.
Called the “recollection of the Buddha, dharma and Sangha,” the Itipiso is continuously chanted by rotating groups in different periods over three days and nights. The event ran through July 23.
More than 1,000 Chonburi residents chanted the “Itipiso” for three days and nights to mark Asalaha Bucha Day and the start of Buddhist Lent.
Bussarawadee said the event was organized to celebrate Asalaha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa, the start of Buddhist Lent, so people could remind themselves of the origins and importance the holidays and lay a strong foundation for following Buddha’s teachings.
Asalaha Bucha is deemed a holy day because of three important events occurring on the day: 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 birth of Buddhism; and the Sangha, or the ordination of the first Buddhist monk.
