Makabucha Day 21.02.2008

For Buddhist, there are three important Buddhist celebrations: Makabucha Day (on February),Visakabucha Day (May) Asahabucha Day (on July).

Makabucha Day or (Buddhist All Saints’ Day) is a Buddhist holiday which takes place annually on the night of the full moon duringthe third lunar month of the year.

It first took place during the time of Lord Buddha over 2500 years ago when 1,250 monks all of whom were ordained by Lord Buddha himself decided to come back to see Lord Buddha at Weluwan Wanaram without prior appointment on the night of the full moon of the third lunar month after traveling around to teach about Buddhism. Because it was the first assembly of a large group of Buddhist monks, Lord Buddha gave them Owata Patimok which is considered the firstconstitution for all the laws of Buddhist monks. The 3 core teachings are:

• Refrain from committing all kinds of wickedness


• Be good and do good


• Purify the mind

To allow Buddhists in Thailand an opportunity to perform religious activities on this special day, the Thai government makes Makabucha Day a national holiday. Buddhists across the country flock to temples for candle-lit processions as part of activities on this religious day. Other activities include alms offering and listening to monks' teachings. Activities are organised in almost every temple and the ones at most famous temples draw more participants, young and old alike.

There are many activities in which people can choose to participate - Early in the morning Buddhists give food to the monks. They may make merit by freeing fish and birds. During the day they listen to the teaching of Lord Buddha and practise meditation.
The evening they perform a religious activity called Wian Tian by walking clockwise 3 timesaround the Bot or the main building of the temple.Monks are holding a sacred thread and a candle while devotees carry a lighted candle, 3 incense sticks and flowers in their hands.

1. The first round of the walk is to think of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism (Phra Phut) .


2. The second round is to think of the teachings of Lord Buddha (Phra Tham) ;


3. the last round is to think of monks (Phra Song) who carry on and practise the teachings of Lord Buddha.
   

This candlelit procession is called การเวียนเทียนรอบโบสถ์สามรอบ.