Revered monks prepare for the
Khao Pansaa festivities at Wat Thamsamakhee.
Manoon Makpol
The Pattaya area celebrated summer’s double Buddhist
holiday, partaking in traditional ceremony for Asalaha Bucha Day then
lighting up candles for Buddhist Lent.
From Naklua’s Sanctuary of Truth to South Pattaya’s
Chaimongkol Temple and beyond, Thais queued up to donate rice, dried food
and robes to monks and recite prayers. Many took part in triple
circumambulations of the Buddhist relics, an age-old tradition.
Asalaha Bucha Day marks the anniversary of Lord Buddha’s
first sermon. That sermon concerned the Four Noble Truths presented to
Buddha’s first five disciples in the forest of Esipatana Marukatayawan, in
the Paranasi District in India. It set in motion the Wheel of Dharma.
Residents came to temples, such as Nong Or, early Aug. 2
to hear sermons while respectfully dressed couples made merit and families
offered alms of monks’ necessities.
The following day, at Phra Yai Temple Pratamnak Hill,
more than 100 Thais and foreigners participated in a Buddhist Lent candle
parade. Most of the marchers dressed in white performed the Wien Thien
ceremony, carrying the light around the temple grounds three times before
donating necessities, flowers and candles to monks.
Entertainment districts closed for the double holiday,
with only a few restaurants officially open.
The merit making continued Aug. 4 at Thamsamakhee Temple,
where neighbors cooked meat and dessert to offer to monks for Khao Pansaa,
the start of Buddhist Lent. More than 500 people attended, with many
donating candles and necessities.
Revered monks begin the Wien
Thien ceremony, carrying lighted candles three times around Wat Phra Yai.
Buddhist monks and nuns walk
down the stairs to join in candle parade at Wat Phra Yai.
Faithful Buddhists make merit
by pouring candle wax into molds to make Lent candles on Asalaha Bucha day
at Wat Nong Or.
Visitors still wander through
Walking Street even though all bars and entertainment venues are closed on
Khao Pansaa.
Local folks donate money for
the restoration of Wat Nong Or.
Thousands of people take part
in the Wien Thien ceremony at Wat Phra Yai.
Hundreds of worshipers gather
to pray and listen to sermons at Wat Thamsamakhee during Khao Pansaa.
