Buddhist holidays this month.

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Buddhist holidays this month

JULY
26 : Asalabucha day / วันอาสาฬหบูชา

This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It happens one day just before the Buddhist Lent day. This day commemorates the first sermon of Buddha to his five first disciples. One of them asked to become a monk. So this day is sacred because it deals with Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (Buddhist community). There are also candlelit processions.

27 : Buddhist Lent day / วันเข้าพรรษา

This day is a Buddhist public holiday. It is the beginning of the Buddhist rain retreat which lasts three months. During this period monks are not allowed to sleep outside their temple. Thai people buy big candles and offer them to temples

Some more background on this Buddhist holiday:
http://www.pattayamail.com/626/features.shtml

There is a big festival with stage for dancer singers show and big statues made of wax, lots of music,people dancing around to traditional music and good street Thai food.

Location: Along Jira road start from the cityhall roundabout till gate number 3 of Rajabhat university.

We will keep post you with more videos and photos we took today, also here and in the News section.
Go enjoy to see the activity there, its really nice parade there. 
 
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Thailand observes Buddhist Lent 
Bangkok Post: 26 Jul 2010
ASALAHA BUCHA DAY TODAY
Kingdom prepares for Asalaha Bucha Day, Lent celebrations
By THE NATION
Published on July 26, 2010

Thais across the country yesterday were arranging to celebrate Asalaha Bucha Day today and the beginning of Buddhist Lent tomorrow.

This religious festival is often marked with processions of elaborately carved paraffin candles for monks to use during the three-month rainy season retreat.

In Nonthaburi, more than 100 boats paraded exquisite giant candles along a section of Bangkok Noi Canal from Chalor Temple to Bote Bon Temple. The most impressive float will win Bt15,000 and a plaque of honour.

Deputy Nonthaburi Governor Pradit Sukhonthasawat and Bang Kruai District chief Ronnachai Jitwises presided over the launch of the candle convoy.

In Phitsanulok, a procession snaked through this northern province's main roads showing the candles presented by His Majesty the King to a royal monastery as well as those from various communities.

In Sakon Nakhon, up to 10 processions were formed, each showcasing candles artfully designed to reflect the local culture, way of life and religious devotion.

In Si Sa Ket, at least 5,000 people showed up to join a colourful candle procession and associated fun activities. The line stretched for several kilometres.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, a candle contest for a trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is being held as part of a three-day fair.

The event, featuring a light-and-sound show, kicked off yesterday.

Samer Jindapong, chairman of the Nakhon Ratchasima Tourism Association, said that coupled with the four-day long weekend, the festival looked set to boost tourism in Korat.

"In all, people will likely spend more than Bt100 million here over this holiday," he said.

Finding a room in this northeastern province has become a challenge. In Pak Chong district, all hotels are fully booked.


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Special Report: Buddhist Lent Day “Khao Phansa”
TNN July 26 2010

“Khao Phansa” in Thai means rains retreat, marking the 3-month period during the rainy season that Buddhist monks stop traveling and stay at one particular monastery. This year, Khao Phansa begins on 27 July.

Khao Phansa or also known as the Buddhist Lent starts on the day after Asalha Puja or on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month, usually in July, and ends in October. The tradition was originated back in the early time of Buddhism when pilgrimage during the rainy season caused much inconvenience for the monks who sometimes accidentally stepped on seedlings and damaged the recently-sown farms.

Besides the usual merit making ceremony and meditation on Khao Phansa, Buddhists also pay homage with offerings such as fresh flowers, personal supplies, household medical packages, as well as giant candles to the holy men to be used during the 3-month period.

Nowadays, people tend to choose to offer light bulbs rather than candles as they are deemed to be more practical while the beautifully-carved candles are only used as a symbolic presentation in the candle procession.

According to a poll recently conducted on 1,192 samples in Bangkok and vicinities, over 56% of the respondents said they were determined to go to temples to make merit on the Buddhist Lent. The number has increased by 20% compared to the previous major religious occasion -- Visakha Puja -- three months ago.

Every year, authorities and communities in various provinces join hands to organize grand candle festivals in their areas to commemorate the religious occasion in parallel with the religious ceremony. The event usually features the candle molding activity, candle carving competition, and procession of ornately-carved beeswax candles.

Thai people often use this auspicious time as a start for doing good deeds and refrain from wrong-doings, particularly those identified in the five Buddhist precepts. Many agencies also use this opportunity in urging the public to engage in merit-making activities such as blood donation or anti-drinking and smoking.

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Enjoy the photos I took there for you.

See in the NEWS section: http://www.buriramexpats.com/buriram-news/

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All Buddhist Lent day News updates:

See full articles + Videos in the News section:
http://www.buriramexpats.com/buriram-news/



27/7/2010
Tourists and Buriram local people flocked to pay homage to "Phra Suphatthara Bophit" Buddha image on "Khao Kradong" mountain during Buddhist Lent.

26/7/2010
People purchase "Wild Food" that sold on the roadside.

25/7/2010
Tourists flock to see Phanom Rung during the Buddhist Lent day.

24/7/2010
Buriram people flock to relaxe at "Lam Nang Rong" Dam during the Buddhist Lent day.

27/7/2010
Buriram military make merit and The Wientian ritual