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Important Buddhist Days

Makha Bucha Day

Magha Puja Day (in Pali: Māgha Pūjā, in English: Magha Puja) is an important day in Theravada Buddhism. The name originates from the term Māgha Pūranimā Pūjā, which means worship on the full moon day of the Māgha month in the Indian lunar calendar. In Thailand, it corresponds to the full moon day of the third lunar month, typically falling in February. If it is a leap year with an extra lunar month (Adhikamāsa), the observance is shifted to the full moon day of the fourth lunar month.

Magha Puja Day holds significance as it commemorates the occasion when the Buddha delivered the Ovāda Pāṭimokkha (the fundamental teaching or essence of Buddhism) to an assembly of 1,250 enlightened monks (Arahants) at the Veluvana Monastery in Rajgir, Bihar, India. This historic gathering is called the Cāturaṅgasannipāta (the Great Fourfold Assembly), characterized by four remarkable factors:

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  1. It was the full moon day of the third lunar month.

  2. 1,250 monks gathered spontaneously, without prior arrangement.

  3. All the monks present were enlightened Arahants.

  4. All the monks had been ordained directly by the Buddha himself.

This event occurred nine months after the Buddha's enlightenment.

The Buddha, upon witnessing the extraordinary assembly, delivered the Ovāda Pāṭimokkha, outlining the core principles and teachings of Buddhism. The teaching included three key verses:

  1. Kanti paramam tapo titikkhā
    Patience is the highest virtue of asceticism.

    Nibbānaṃ paramam vadanti buddhā
    Nibbāna is supreme, say the Buddhas.

    Na hi pabbajito parūpaghātī
    One who harms others is not a true renunciate.

    Samaṇo hoti na ca panihito
    One who oppresses others is not a true monk.

  2. Sabbapāpassa akaraṇaṃ
    To abstain from all evil.

    Kusalassūpasampadā
    To cultivate what is good.

    Sacittapariyodapanaṃ
    To purify one's mind.

    Etaṃ buddhānasāsanaṃ
    This is the teaching of all Buddhas.

  3. Anūpavādo anūpaghāto
    Not to revile or harm others.

    Pātimokkhe ca saṃvaro
    To observe the precepts.

    Mattajñutā ca bhattasmiṃ
    To practice moderation in food.

    Pantanca sayanāsanaṃ
    To dwell in secluded places.

    Adhicitte ca āyogo
    To cultivate higher states of mind.

    Etaṃ buddhānasāsanaṃ
    This is the teaching of all Buddhas.

 

These verses can be summarized into three components: the Principles (3), the Ideals (4), and the Methods (6), which serve as guidelines for propagating Buddhism.

  1. The Ideals (4):
    The first verse emphasizes the highest ideals for renunciates in Buddhism, distinguishing them from other religions. These ideals include patience, striving for liberation (Nibbāna), refraining from harming others, and attaining peace through the cessation of unwholesome thoughts.

  2. The Principles (3):
    The second verse summarizes the essence of Buddhist teachings into three main principles: refraining from evil, performing good deeds, and purifying the mind.

  3. The Methods (6):
    The third verse outlines the methods for Buddhist missionaries to follow while spreading the teachings, ensuring uniformity and harmony. These include:

    • Not reviling other religions.

    • Not using force or coercion to spread the teachings.

    • Observing the precepts and setting an example of admirable conduct.

    • Practicing moderation in consumption.

    • Living in seclusion.

    • Developing mental discipline and mindfulness.

 

Additional Significance of Magha Puja Day
Another significant event associated with this day is the Buddha’s declaration of his impending passing. On the full moon day of the third lunar month, during his 80th year, at Cāpāla Cetiya, the Buddha announced that he would enter final Parinibbāna (pass away) three months later.

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Activities on Magha Puja Day
Typical observances include performing religious rituals, making merit, offering alms, listening to sermons, and participating in candlelit processions (Wian Thian) around temples or stupas. These activities help devotees reflect on the important events and teachings of Buddhism.

Visakha Bucha Day

Visakha Bucha Day (in Pali: Visākha Pūjā, in English: Vesak) is an important day in Buddhism across all traditions worldwide and is recognized as an international day by the United Nations. It commemorates three key events in the life of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana. Remarkably, all three events occurred on the full moon day of the lunar month of Visakha (the sixth lunar month), albeit in different years. Buddhists around the world consider this day as one of great significance and refer to the observance as Visakha Bucha, derived from Visakha Puranima, meaning worship on the full moon day of Visakha. According to the Indian calendar, this corresponds to the full moon day of the sixth lunar month. In Thailand, it falls in May, but in a leap year with an extra eighth lunar month (Adhikamāsa), it is shifted to the full moon day of the seventh lunar month. Other countries that do not follow the Thai lunar calendar typically observe Vesak on the full moon day of the sixth month.

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Visakha Bucha Day serves as a remembrance of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and passing into Parinirvana, which all occurred on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month:

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  1. Birth:
    On a Friday, the full moon day of the sixth lunar month, 80 years before the Buddhist Era, Prince Siddhartha was born in the Lumbini Garden, located between the cities of Kapilavastu and Devadaha. This location is now in the village of Rummindei, Nepal.

  2. Enlightenment:
    On an early Wednesday morning, the full moon day of the sixth lunar month in the Year of the Rooster, 45 years before the Buddhist Era, Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Buddha at the age of 35. This occurred under the Bodhi Tree on the banks of the Neranjara River in Uruvela, now called Bodh Gaya, in the state of Bihar, India, after six years of ascetic practice.

  3. Parinirvana:
    After 45 years of teaching and spreading the Dharma following his enlightenment, the Buddha passed into Parinirvana at the age of 80. This occurred on a Tuesday, the full moon day of the sixth lunar month in the Year of the Snake, at the Sala Grove of the Malla kings in Kushinara, now called Kushinagar, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

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Vesak Observance Around the World
Visakha Bucha Day has long been observed in many Buddhist countries across all traditions, both Theravada and Mahayana. In some countries, this day is referred to as Buddha Jayanti. Many nations also recognize it as a public holiday. As an international Buddhist holiday, Vesak is marked by ceremonies held worldwide by Buddhists of all sects, making it a global observance. This universal significance led the United Nations General Assembly, at its 54th session on December 13, 1999, to declare Vesak an "International Day" (Resolution 54/112).

In Thailand


Visakha Bucha Day is a public holiday. On this day, Buddhist devotees, including members of the royal family, monks, and the general public, engage in religious activities such as offering alms, listening to sermons, and performing candlelit processions (Wian Thian) around temple ordination halls or stupas. These ceremonies are conducted to pay homage to the Triple Gem (Triratna) and to commemorate the three significant events in the Buddha's life: his birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana. These events symbolize the Buddha's wisdom (Paññā), purity (Visuddhi), and great compassion (Mahākaruṇā), all of which occurred on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month.

Asarnha Bucha Day

Asalha Puja Day (in Pali: Āsāḷha Pūjā, in English: Asalha Puja) is a significant day in Theravāda Buddhism. The term Asalha Puja is derived from Āsāḷha Pūranamī Pūjā, which means "worship on the full moon day of the month of Asalha," an Indian lunar month corresponding to the eighth lunar month in the Thai calendar. This usually falls in July. However, in a year with an intercalary month (Adhikamāsa), it is observed on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month (the second eighth month).

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Significance of Asalha Puja

Asalha Puja is recognized as a key Buddhist holiday due to an important event that occurred 45 years before the Buddhist Era. On the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, at Isipatana Deer Park (now Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India), the Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Discourse on the Turning of the Wheel of Dharma), to his first five disciples, known as the Pañcavaggīya monks: Kondañña, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahānāma, and Assaji.

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Key Events of Asalha Puja

During this first sermon:

  1. The First Noble Disciple: Kondañña, one of the five disciples, gained insight into the Dharma, attained the first stage of enlightenment (Sotāpanna), and became the Buddha’s first noble disciple.

  2. The First Ordination: Kondañña requested ordination, and the Buddha granted it through Ehi Bhikkhu Upasampadā, making him the first monk.

  3. The Completion of the Triple Gem: On this day, the Triple Gem (Triratna)—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—was fully established for the first time.

    • The Buddha: The Enlightened One.

    • The Dharma: The teachings.

    • The Sangha: The community of monks.

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For this reason, Asalha Puja is also called "Dharma Day" or "Sangha Day," marking the day the Buddha's teachings began and the Sangha (monastic community) was born.

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Key Teachings in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

The sermon delivered on Asalha Puja contains foundational teachings, which are pivotal for Buddhists to study and contemplate:

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1. The Two Extremes to Avoid

The Buddha advised against two extremes for those seeking liberation:

  • Indulgence in sensual pleasures (Kāmasukhallikānuyoga): Overindulgence in pleasures, leading to attachment.

  • Self-mortification (Attakilamathānuyoga): Excessive self-denial, causing unnecessary suffering.

The Buddha emphasized the Middle Path (Majjhimāpaṭipadā), which leads to liberation.

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2. The Noble Eightfold Path

The Middle Path consists of eight practices leading to enlightenment:

  1. Right View (Sammā Diṭṭhi): Understanding the nature of reality.

  2. Right Intention (Sammā Saṅkappa): Cultivating thoughts of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness.

  3. Right Speech (Sammā Vācā): Speaking truthfully and kindly.

  4. Right Action (Sammā Kammanta): Acting ethically and non-harmfully.

  5. Right Livelihood (Sammā Ājīva): Earning a living in an ethical way.

  6. Right Effort (Sammā Vāyāma): Cultivating wholesome states and abandoning unwholesome ones.

  7. Right Mindfulness (Sammā Sati): Maintaining awareness of body, feelings, mind, and phenomena.

  8. Right Concentration (Sammā Samādhi): Developing deep mental focus.

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3. The Four Noble Truths (Ariya Sacca)

  1. Dukkha: The truth of suffering (birth, aging, illness, death, separation from loved ones, etc.).

  2. Samudaya: The cause of suffering, which is craving (tanhā), including sensual craving, craving for existence, and craving for non-existence.

  3. Nirodha: The cessation of suffering, which is the elimination of craving.

  4. Magga: The path to the cessation of suffering, which is the Noble Eightfold Path.

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Observances on Asalha Puja

On this day, Buddhists typically:

  • Make merit by offering alms (dāna).

  • Listen to sermons (Dhamma Desanā).

  • Perform candlelight processions (Wian Thian) around ordination halls or stupas.

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These practices honor the profound events of this day and help Buddhists reflect on the Buddha’s teachings, the establishment of the Sangha, and the complete Triple Gem. Asalha Puja is celebrated on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month.

Buddhist Lent Day

Vassa (in Pali: Vassa, in English: Vassa) is an important day in Buddhism, marking the start of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition of the monastic retreat during the rainy season. On this day, monks take a vow to stay in one location for the entire three-month rainy season, as prescribed by the Buddha's teachings. This practice, known as residing in Vassa (Jāma Vassa), begins on the first waning moon day of the eighth lunar month and lasts until the full moon day of the eleventh lunar month. In years with an intercalary month (Adhikamāsa), the retreat starts during the later eighth month.

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The Reason for the Vassa Retreat

The Buddha established the tradition of Vassa to prevent monks from traveling during the rainy season, which could cause difficulties and potentially harm crops or small living beings. The retreat allowed monks to:

  1. Rest from their arduous travels to propagate Buddhism.

  2. Avoid causing damage to the rice fields and other crops planted by laypeople during the rainy season.

  3. Study the Dhamma and Vinaya (Buddhist teachings and discipline) together, fostering unity and shared learning within the monastic community.

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Observances by Laypeople

For Buddhists, the beginning of Vassa provides a significant opportunity to perform merit-making activities, such as:

  • Visiting temples to offer alms.

  • Observing the precepts.

  • Listening to Dhamma sermons.

In addition, traditional offerings of raincloths (Pa Aab Nam Fon) and Vassa candles are made to monks for their use during the retreat. Candles were especially important in earlier times when monasteries lacked electricity, providing light for nighttime religious activities.

It is also customary for Thai Buddhist men to ordain as monks during this period. Many observe the entire three months of Vassa to study Buddhist teachings and practice discipline, which they can later apply to their lives after leaving the monkhood.

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Types of Vassa

There are two types of Vassa according to monastic discipline:

  1. Primary Vassa (Purimavassa)

    • This is the standard Vassa, observed from the first waning moon day of the eighth lunar month to the full moon day of the eleventh lunar month.

    • In years with an intercalary month, it begins on the first waning moon day of the later eighth month.

  2. Later Vassa (Pacchimavassa)

    • This is for monks who cannot begin the primary Vassa due to unavoidable circumstances, such as long-distance travel.

    • It starts on the first waning moon day of the ninth lunar month and ends on the full moon day of the twelfth lunar month.

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Rules and Exceptions During Vassa

Monks observing Vassa must reside in one location for three months without staying overnight elsewhere. However, the Buddha allowed exceptions in specific circumstances, provided they returned within seven days (Sattāha Karaniya), ensuring their retreat remained valid. These exceptions include:

  1. Attending to a sick monk.

  2. Preventing a monk or novice from disrobing.

  3. Addressing urgent monastery repairs, such as fixing a damaged building.

  4. Accepting an invitation from laypeople to attend merit-making ceremonies or other significant events.

Special Practices During Vassa

Throughout the three-month retreat, many lay Buddhists also make special resolutions, such as:

  • Abstaining from alcohol and other intoxicants.

  • Avoiding killing or other harmful actions.

  • Observing the eight precepts (Uposatha Sīla).

  • Regularly listening to sermons, especially on sacred days.

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These practices help Buddhists accumulate merit, cultivate virtues, and build spiritual strength during the Vassa period. The festival is a time of reflection, discipline, and commitment to moral conduct, enhancing the spiritual journey of both monks and laypeople.

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