Magha Puja, or Makha Bucha as it is known in Thai translation, is the second most important Buddhist festival on the lunar calendar.
It is celebrated on the full moon of the third lunar month, this year falling on 1 March. It marks the meeting of Buddha and 1,250 enlightened disciples, at which Buddha imparted the core principles of Buddhism.
Celebrated in Thailand, people to go temples for special observances, abstain from certain behaviours such as drinking alcohol, offer food to monks and attend an evening Candle Light Procession.
The day marks a significant event as 45 years before the Buddhist era, four special things happened according to their belief. Firstly without any planning 1,250 Sangha followers came to see the Lord Buddha at Wat Veḷuvana in Northern India.
All of them were “Arahants’, the Enlightened Ones, and were ordained by the Buddha.
It is then thought that Buddha gave an important teaching to the followers on the principles of the Buddhism, called “The Ovadhapatimokha”.
These included: to cease all evil; to do what is good; and to cleanse one’s mind. The fact it was a full moon day is thought to have made it an even more special event.
IBTimes UK explored how followers in Thailand acknowledged and celebrated Makha Bucha this year.
.
Alcohol sales are banned on this religious holiday, during which abstinence is common. The day is also a national holiday for anyone living in Thailand, thus allowing them to attend ceremonies at a temple.
A girl wearing an earring is seen as she celebrates Makha Bucha Day near a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, March 1, 2018REUTERS/Soe Zeya TunPeople pose for photos as they celebrate Makha Bucha Day near a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, March 1, 2018Reuters/Soe Zeya TunThousands of believers join Buddhist monks praying at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple during a ceremony on Makha Bucha Day in Pathum Thani, Thailand, March 1, 2018.Reuters/Athit PerawongmethaGirls dressed as princess are seen as they celebrate Makha Bucha Day near a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, March 1, 2018.REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun
.
Makha Bucha day was not observed in Thailand until the second half of the 19th century when King Mongkut started a Makha Bucha ceremony in his royal court. The religious ceremony had remained a royal affair for a while before temples nationwide organised events where everyday people could attend.
Buddhist monks take part in an alms offering ceremony on Makha Bucha Day at Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani, Thailand, March 1, 2018.REUTERS/Athit PerawongmethaA lotus flower is seen while people pray at the Oudong mountain during the annual Makha Bucha Day which celebrates Buddha’s teachings in Kandal province, Cambodia, January 31, 2018.REUTERS/Samrang PringBuddhist monks pray at Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple during a ceremony on Makha Bucha Day in Pathum Thani, Thailand, March 1, 2018.REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Message from the editor.....
Please help to support BangkokJack News through these troubled times... Poor government reaction to the COVID virus has left many, including some who rely upon us, in very difficult positions.
And still we try to deliver the REAL news to you on a daily basis. But this all comes at a cost and as tourism has dried up and with expats going home whenever they can, income streams and ad revenue is also drying up.
And this is why we appeal to our tens of thousands of readers to help out however you can - to keep us independent and opinionated.
Just Bt100 per month makes all the difference and will keep some of us in noodle soup for a day.
Alternatively please click on the advert each time you read a story and that will boost our ad revenue, at no cost to yourself.
Thank you so much to those who already do support us. It means a lot to everyone.
Wise (formally TransferWise) recently brought out its new Borderless Account which could be very helpful for investors who have diversified investments in multiple countries and currencies. It’s also...