Makha Bucha Day in Thailand

Makha Bucha Day is one of the most important festivals of the Buddhist calendar. It is celebrated every year on the day of the full moon of the third lunar month. It is alsoa public holiday in Thailand.

Makha Bucha Day commemorates two separate events that took place on the same date 45 years apart during the life of Lord Buddha more than 2500 years ago. The first event was 1250 monks from everywhere coming spontaneously to meet Lord Buddha in Veluwan garden. He took the opportunity to explain them the principles of Buddhism: do what is good, stop all evil and purify the mind. The second event, which took place 45 years later, was when Buddha gave his last teachings before achieving Nirvana. In pali language, “Makha” is the word for the third lunar month while “bucha” means to honor or worship .

For Makha Bucha Day, Buddhists who highly predominant in Thailand, visit temples to pay homage to Lord Buddha. Many listen to sermons and teachings of Lord Buddha, while others use the day to build up their merit in doing good deeds. They also meet at sunset in local temples to participate in candlelight processions called Wian Tian (wian means to cricle and tian means candle). In addition, thirty monks are invited to have breakfast in the royal palace and pray and sing Lord Buddha’s teachings .

Makha Bucha Day is a public holiday in Thailand. Government offices and businesses will be closed as well as some banks. And some restaurants do not serve alcohol and bars close that day . Although in tourist areas, it should not be the case.

This year, Makha Bucha day will be celebrated on 22th February 2016.

In the province of Udon Thani you can assist to the Ritual Bathing of Lord Buddha’s Relics.