By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
In July, Asarnha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day (Khao Phansa) come once again. On these occasions, Thai pilgrims will make merit for prosperity and also take part in various activities to nurture religious beliefs.
Read the following story to learn more about the history of the holy events.
This year’s Asarnha Bucha Day falls on July 30, and the following day, July 31, is Buddhist Lent Day. They are public holidays and important religious events in Thailand.
NOBLE TRUTHS
Asarnha Bucha falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. The day marks Lord Buddha’s first sermon given to five of his followers after he attained enlightenment in India.
The key Buddhist teaching on that day was about the Four Noble Truths, or ariyasat si, namely, the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering.
Normally, Asarnha Bucha is celebrated nationwide by making merit, listening to sermons and joining candlelit processions at night.
SACRED MONTHS
The day following Asarnha Bucha Day is Buddhist Lent Day, or Khao Phansa. Phansa in Thai means a period of three months, while khao is to enter into or take part in a particular activity. Starting from this day, Thai monks will avoid unnecessary travel for three consecutive lunar months during the rainy season for fear that they might accidentally step on young plants or tiny animals.
In addition, Thai people consider Khao Phansa to be a time for merit-making. Some people try to strictly observe the five precepts during this period. We can see that the government usually encourages locals to take part in its Ngod Lao Khao Phansa (No Alcohol During Buddhist Lent) campaign, since avoiding alcohol is one of the five precepts.
Exercises
Read the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. Avoiding alcohol is one of the five precepts.
……………….
2. Khao Phansa covers a period of six months.
……………….
3. This year’s Asarnha Bucha Day falls on July 31.
…………….
4. Asarnha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent Day are public holidays in Thailand.
……………….
Vocabulary
- pilgrim (n): a person who travels to a holy place for religious reasons
cessation (n): the stopping of something
consecutive (adj): following one after another in a series, without interruption
precept (n): a rule about how to behave or what to think
