Monday, June 4, is one of the most venerated holidays on
the Buddhist calendar: Visakha Bucha Day. This Buddhist Holy Day marks the
beginning of the Buddhist Era 2,555 years ago, and celebrates the miracle of
the Buddha being born, reaching enlightenment, passing away and achieving
final release from the circle of rebirth, all on the same date.
Buddhist perform the Wien
Thien ceremony at Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai on last year’s Visakha Bucha
Day.
Devout Buddhists participate in ceremonies at nearby
temples, making merit in the morning by bringing alms to monks and listening
to sermons. Later this evening devotees will continue assembling at temples
to conduct the “Wien Thien” ceremony, walking around sacred temple grounds
three times holding candles, joss sticks and flowers honoring the Buddha,
the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings) and the Sangha (the Buddhist Monastic
Order).
For this holiday, killing any kind of animal and drinking
alcohol or intoxicating substances is forbidden for 3 days. Wats are to be
adorned with lanterns, flowers and joss sticks as symbols of worship, and
fireworks will be lit for three days to celebrate.
Banks and government offices are closed for this holiday,
although most currency exchange booths will remain open. It is illegal to
buy, sell or distribute alcohol on this day, so all bars and entertainment
venues will be closed. An unnamed police spokesman told Pattaya Mail
that police will strictly enforce this law.
