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Buddhist
Ceremonies
The
majority of the Thai people are ardent Buddhists who celebrate
the frequent Buddhist holidays with fervor. According to Buddhist
belief, the most important days of the year are Makhabuja
Day, Visakhabuja Day and Asarnhabuja Day. These major Buddhist
holy days are also national holidays.
Makhabuja
Day falls on the full moon of the third lunar month. It is
to commemorate the day when 1,250 disciples, all ordained
by the Lord Buddha himself, gathered together to hear the
Buddha preach, all without prior arrangement.
Visakhabuja
Day falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month. It is
to commemorate the day when the Lord Buddha was born, reached
enlightenment, and entered nirvana. All happened on the same
day of the year. Visakhabuja Day is considered the holiest
day in the Buddhist calendar.
Asarnhabuja
Day falls on the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the day
when the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to the first
five disciples.
These
ceremonies were initiated by former monarchs. The ceremonies
usually begin with offerings of food to monks in the morning,
the strict observation of the Buddhist Canons among lay people,
and a candle light ceremony in the evening.
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