When is Asahna Bucha?
Asahna Bucha is a national Holiday in Thailand. It replaced Buddhist Lent as a gazetted holiday in 2007.
The date in the western calendar depends on the Lunar cycle. It is also known as Asalha Puja or Dhamma Day.
This key event in Buddhism is also a public holiday in Sri Lanka (Esala Full Moon Poya) and Myanmar (Full Moon of Waso or Danmasakyar Day)
History of Asahna Bucha
This day, the first full moon of the eighth lunar month commemorates the Buddha's first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares, India and the founding of the Buddhist sangha (monkhood) about 2,500 years ago.
In the sermon, which is known as 'Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion', the Buddha first spelt out the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
The Dharmachakra is also known as the Wheel of Life, Wheel of Law or Wheel of Doctrine and can be seen on flags in temples and buildings all across Thailand. Similarly, pictures or models of deer can often be seen at temples or in depictions of the Buddha.
The day marks the beginning of Vassa, the Buddhist lent period also known as the 'Rains Retreat'.
How is Asahna Bucha celebrated?
To mark the day, ceremonies are held in Buddhist temples across Thailand. Many Thai people return to their ancestral homes to donate offerings to temples and listen to sermons. Traditionally, candles are amongst the items donated to the wat for Asahna Bucha and processions featuring candles are held at various towns in Thailand.
The tradition dates back to the times before electricity where extra light was needed at the temple during the darker days of the rainy season.
In the evening they will often perform a ceremony called 'wian tian', where they walk clockwise around the main shrine of the temple carrying a candle, incense sticks and lotus flowers.
During the day, monks chant mantras and preach the first sermon of the Buddha.
In Saraburi, local monks parade through the town with their alms bowls. Instead of the usual offerings of food, people will instead put flowers into their bowls. The monks then return to the temples and offer flowers in honour of the Buddha.
Asahna Bucha Day is traditionally a popular day for young Thai men to enter the monkhood.
Asahna Bucha is one of the five Buddhist holidays on which the sale of alcohol is prohibited. All government offices and main bank branches will be closed.
