Lord Buddha’s smiling
statue at Wat Khao Phra Yai on Pratamnak Hill is one of many religious
spots throughout Pattaya where thousands of worshippers solemnly joined
people all over the Kingdom of Thailand to celebrate Makha Bucha Day,
one of the holiest days on the Buddhist calendar.
Pattaya Mail Team
Pattaya Buddhists rose with the sun to pray and make merit as
the area celebrated Makha Bucha Day.
Temples throughout the city saw worshippers present offerings of meat,
dried foods and desserts to monks, light candles and incense, lay
flowers on statues of Lord Buddha and listen to sermons and meditate on
one of the holiest Buddhist holidays of the year.
Worshippers pray to a
statue of Lord Buddha before performing the Wien Thien ceremony on Makha
Bucha Day at Wat Haadmai Krathingthong.
At Chaimongkol Temple, Abbot Pisan
Jariyapiphat, monks and novices performed missions while some believers,
dressed in white, meditated in the pavilion while others offered alms.
Monks sprinkled holy water for prosperity.
Foreigners participated in ceremonies at Khao Phrabat and Khao Phra Yai
temples, buying “sangkhathan,” or essential items for monks and paying
their respects to Lord Buddha. At Phrabat Temple, worshippers made merit
to gods representing their birthday months and paraded around temple
grounds in the “Wien Thien” ceremony.
At Phrabat Temple,
worshippers make merit to gods representing their birthday months.
With Pattaya’s bars closed and the
alcohol bottles capped for the day, the atmosphere in the city was quiet
and solemn.
In Sattahip, the Royal Thai Navy’s Air and Coastal Defense Command held
its own Makha Bucha Day ceremony at the Physical Education building.
Abbot Sangkharak Pongsiri of the Khao Ploy Dhamma Retreat led chanting
with 300 military and government personnel meditating and praying.
Makha Bucha Day, considered Buddhist “All Saints Day,” commemorates the
occasion when 1,250 disciples traveled to meet with Lord Buddha with no
prearranged agreement at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of
Rachakhryha, India.
The day gained official recognition in Thailand during the reign of King
Rama IV and became a nationally observed day with all government
institutions closing down and observing the rituals associated with
Buddhist commandments.
Disseminating the Buddha’s teachings and the journey to meet with the
Buddha on the 15th night of the third lunar month are part of the
historical events that include the sermons and truths spoken by the
Buddha.
Worshippers in South
Pattaya attend the Wien Thien ceremony with smiles on Makha Bucha Day at
Wat Chaimongkol Phra Aaramluang.
Having good intentions, not
harming others, avoiding evil actions and making the heart and mind pure
in thought were among the truths spoken by the Buddha. Additionally,
other truths spoken by the Buddha cautioned individual restraint in all
that attracts one’s attention, to include desiring possessions belonging
to others, and exploiting others for personal gain.
Before departing, the Buddha also referred to the people’s interest in
making merit, gaining self-esteem and a comfortable reassurance that
moral integrity exists. More importantly, having faith in the “Triple
Gem” (Phraratanatrai) was illustrated by emphasizing the importance of
avoiding drunken, irresponsible and immoral behavior, and maintaining
focus on supporting loved ones while being content in one’s existence
with friends and without selfish greed.
In Sattahip, the Royal
Thai Navy’s Air and Coastal Defense Command held its own Makha Bucha Day
ceremony at the Physical Education building.
In the evening, Buddhists
climb the stairs at Wat Khao Phra Yai on Pratamnak Hill.
More worshippers turned
out this year than last year to perform the Wien Thien ceremony at Wat
Nong Ya in Nong Yai.
By law, bars are closed
on important religious holidays, including these on Jomtien Soi 5.
