Khao Phansa
Vassa ( Thai เข้าพรรษา [ Kao Pan sǎː ], literally "begin the rainy season") is a Buddhist holiday in Thailand . It is the first day of the three-month rainy season retreat ( Pāli vasso , Sanskrit varṣaḥ , roughly: "rain"), during which the monks stay in their temples. This time is also Buddhist Lent (ger .: Buddhist Lent called), but this is not entirely accurate, since it is not specifically fasted. Generally, this is the time when young men go to the monastery for a limited time. Accordingly, ordination ceremonies take place everywhere at the beginning of the month of fasting. The tradition is particularly widespread in Theravada Buddhism.
Reason for this rainy season retreat: Already in the times of the Buddha it was common practice that the “holy men” should refrain from wandering around for three months, since the young seeds sprout on the fields at this time. In order not to trample on the saplings, the Buddha stipulated that the monks are not allowed to leave the temple during the rainy season and should not spend more than seven consecutive nights outside the temple, except in exceptional cases.
The exam begins on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth month in the Thai lunisolar calendar , in the Gregorian calendar the exact date varies from year to year, for example Khao Phansa was on July 9th in 2017 . Asalha Puja was celebrated the day before . The devotees donate candles to the temples, some of which can reach two meters in size, and are known as the "gift of light." These candles then burn throughout the rainy season and are a symbol of the study of the scriptures during the rainy season.
More festivities for this day:
- The emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok is getting a new garment: traditionally, the Thai king replaces the light summer time garment with the rainy season robe.
- In Wat Phra Phutthabat Woramahawihan , the shrine of the sacred footprint near Saraburi , the “Tak Bat Dok Mai” festival (Thai: ประเพณี ตักบาตร ดอกไม้ , roughly: flower offering to the monks) is celebrated. It is the heyday of Dok Khao Phansa , a rare plant that is somewhat reminiscent of Krachai (a type of ginger) with flowers in white and yellow with purple stripes. It grows in the mountains around the temple. This flower is offered to monks and novices who pilgrimage up to the footprint in long processions.
- The candle festival (Thai: ประเพณี แห่ เทียนพรรษา , English: Candle Festival) takes place in Ubon Ratchathani . A parade with huge candles and wax statues goes through the whole city, a colorful event!
Individual evidence
- ↑ Khao Phansa Day 2018 and 2019 - Public Holidays Thailand . In: Public Holidays Asia . ( publicholidays.asia [accessed October 18, 2017]).
- ↑ Buddhist holiday Khao Phansa | เข้าพรรษา . In: Thai Food . July 22, 2016 ( thai-thaifood.de [accessed October 18, 2017]).
- ↑ details- Sawasdee - Welcome to the official homepage of the Thai Tourist Office: TAT Germany. Retrieved October 18, 2017 .
- ↑ a b Khao Phansa 2017 . In: Small calendar . ( Kleiner-kalender.de [accessed on October 18, 2017]).