Makha Bucha Buddhist Holiday in Thailand: Full Moon Thai- Lunar- Tradition Holidays
Yesterday, Thursday, February 21, 2008 was the full moon in Thailand, or more specifically, keun 15 kum, duan saam ขื้น ๑๕ ค่ำ เดือนสาม which means the 15th waxing moon since the last new moon (full moon) of the third month.
It’s a full moon, but it’s not to be celebrated in a massive party, at least not the kind one usually would associate with the peak of the lunar cycle. That’s not to say that the inhabitants of Thailand won’t be found in good spirits in traditionally aesthetic outfit at the temple grounds.
In Thai Buddhism, full moons are considered holy days, or wan pra วันพระ, when, culture in all her fighting influence, calls for people to make merits at the temple–to statues, icons, symbols by way of their guardian monks.
On the personal level, to respect the cultural guide, one ought to adhere to the basic Buddhist precepts by avoiding the consumption of alcohol, killing, stealing, cheating, and lying. In reality, great percentages tend to compromise these ethical vows, and thus Cultural and Ethical reinforcement days of reckoning such as Makha Bucha help to remind us the pure and sacred path to enlightenment.
These three Buddhist-Lunar specific holidays are celebrated on the full moons of the third, sixth, and eight lunar months on the Thai-Bhramin lunar based calendar. Makha Bucha, (internationally, Magha) is in the third motnh, Visakha Bucha (internationally, Visek) is in the sixth, and finally, in the eight lunar month, at the dawn of the monsoon season, Asan Bucha (internationally, Asalha) is commemorated.
Makha Bucha มาฆบูชา = Magha falls on the third Tha-Bhramin lunar month or February 21 of this year
Visakha Bucha วิสาขบูชา = Visek falls on the sixth Thai-Bhramin lunar month, or May 19 of this year
Asan Bucha อาสาฬหบูชา = Asalha falls on the eight Thai-Bhramin lunar month, or July 17 of this year.
Makha Bucha commemorates the celebrated event of the first 1,250 disciples of the Buddha (Sidartha) who received a sermon from the Buddha some 2500 years ago, apparently on the full moon of the third lunar month, of which all were said to have become enlightened following in the Buddha’s path thereafter, spreading the roots for the foundations of Buddhism.
It is also said, that on a Makha Bucha day towards the end of Lord Sidartha’s physical life, the Buddha for-announced his death-passing away which would happen exactly three months after, on the full moon of the sixth month (Visakha Bucha), just as he predicted.
Most of the masses may only remember the meaning of Makha Bucha when they head to the temple on the day for the candle and incense procession, and perhaps a sermon.
The candle procession is called Vien tien เวียนเทียน and involves walking around the temple three times with a lit candle, three incense sticks, and lotus flower in hand. As in most temples around Thailand, there are more material and symbolic merit activities one can do, such as making offerings and donations to monks and the temple, and/or sticking gold foil on one of the various holy statues and figures.
Though most of such tradition is/ can be conducted year round, the candle procession is specific for the three holidays in topic, three times a year–ideally making Thais make 9 rounds around the temple per year. Nine is also considered an auspicious number in Thai because it sounds exactly like the word gao which means ‘to {take a} step’ (เก้า in Thai).
So, the next candle procession opportunity for 2008 will be Visakha Bucha day, which falls on May 19 this year. On that day, crowds will flock to the lively temples to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, death, and enlightenment.
…stay tuned
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February 22nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Here is a list of all the Thailand Holidays, with a calendar for 2008 and 2009
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Or you can check this wiki list for public Thai holidays.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Here is Buddhist holidays page with all three holidays in this post and more.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Here is an in depth page about Makha Bucha and its important Buddhist foundations, symbolisms, meanings, and tradition and how the Thais have interpreted them.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
This page is in depth information about Makha Bucha in both Thai and English.
January 11th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Is it safe to travel on a monk’s (wan pra) night?
January 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am
travelling safe on ‘wun pra’ วันพระ is as safe as the traveler is. Generally, there will be less people (publicly) consuming alcohol in Thailand on these days/nights so in that sense, it can be statistically safer. However, one should be conscious of their safety no matter what phase of the moon if they wish to maximize their safety and survival.