The second reason is that people believed that offering a candle would, in return, make their own future a bright one of strength and longevity. This year it is celebrated at Wat Tampa on Sunday, July 5, 2020. Asalha Puja Day is the anniversary of the day on which Lord Buddha delivered his first Sermon to his five Disciples at the Deer Park in Benares, over two thousand five hundred years ago. A monk will give a Sermon and lead a Meditation. Some Thais, in order to show their commitment to Buddhism, will give up drinking entirely during this three-month period. Wan Khao Phansa, or Buddhist Lent Day, is the start of the three-month period during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in a particular place such as a monastery or temple grounds. They avoided unnecessary travel during this period when crops were still new for fear they might accidentally step on young plants. Thai people do this for one of two reasons, the first being that monks once used candles to study after dark. Buddhism runs deep in Thailand. Monks will chant in Sanskrit and lead the lit candle procession three times around the Temple. Wan Khao Phansa, or Buddhist Lent Day, is the start of the three-month period during the rainy season when monks are required to remain in a particular place such as a monastery or temple grounds. Often referred to as “Buddhist Lent” or the “Rains Retreat” by westerners, this tradition corresponds to a three lunar month cycle when the region typically experiences heavy rains and farmers are planting their crops. Thailand’s calendar year is filled with Buddhist holidays, including one of its most impressive celebrations, the Songkran festival. It is observed on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eight lunar month (July).

You will still see them out during the day.

About MOCHistory Seal Vision & Mission Policy & Planning Messages from ExecutivesMinister of Culture Permanent Secretary for Culture Organisation chart Bureau of OfficesOffice of the Permanent SecretaryProvincial Cultural Promotion Fine Arts Department Department of Cultural Promotion Office of Contemporary Artand Culture Bunditpatanasilpa Institute Thai Film Archive Moral Promotion Center(Public Organisation) Cultural RelationsDomestic Cultural Networks International RelationsBilateral Multilateral ASEAN Cultural DirectoryAtrs and Cultural AgenciesHeritage Museums Archives Libraries Performing Arts Visual Arts Academic institues EnterainmentFlim and Media Festivals Cultural Information Centers News and ActivitiesPress Releases Activities and Events Books and ArticlesAbout Thailand ASEAN Alphabetical Order. The Buddhist Lent is from the first waning moon day of the 8th Lunar month to the 15th waxing moon day of the 11th Lunar month To solve this problem, the Lord Buddha determined that the monks had to stay in the temples during the rainy season, from the first waning moon day of the 8th Lunar month to the 15th waxing moon day of the 11th Lunar month, called the Buddhist Lent. From shrines on major intersections to bottles of Red Fanta offered to luck-bringing supernatural entities, the traditions and customs of this religion can be glimpsed almost everywhere. During this time, people will also offer large yellow robes to the monks.

In the past, monks were not even allowed to leave the temple, but today, most monks just refrain from traveling during this period. In deference to popular opinion, Lord Buddha decreed that his followers should also abide by this ancient tradition, and they began to gather in-groups of simple dwellings. Like many other holidays in Thailand, no alcohol is served or sold during Wan Khao Phansa. Temple in Chiang Mai/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson. Others will also abstain from tobacco or eating meat. Culture Trip stands with Black Lives Matter.

The Buddhist Lent starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month. Wat Pho in Bangkok/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson, Wat Khao Lad, or monkey mountain, in Hua Hin/.

Buddhist Lent day means the day on which the Buddhist monks take the vow to stay only at one particular place or temple which can shelter them from the sun, storms and rain. The day following the Asalha full moon is called "Lent Commencement Day" or "Vassupanayika" in Pali. The typical activites for Asalha Puja Day include: Schedule of events for celebration:10:00 a.m.   Pay homage to Buddha and accept Five Precepts; Monks chant blessing10:45 a.m.   Offering Alms to Seven Monks11:00 a.m.   Offering Lunch to Seven Monks13:00 p.m.   Chanting for this Significant Occassion                     Offerings of flowers, candles, and incenses                     Walk three rounds around the Temple, Asalha Puja Day / Buddhist Lent Day 2020 - July 5, 2020 - Cancelled. Here, they will meditate, pray, study, and teach other young monks. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson. These three months are also a popular time for Thai boys and men to become ordained as monks. Here, they will meditate, pray, study, and teach other young monks. Though many will not go on to live as monks, they go through this process to fulfill the expectations of their family. The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month Rains Retreat, known in Thai as "PHUN SAA", dates back to the time of early Buddhism in ancient India. Many people visit temples across Thailand to offer large candles to monks. The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month Rains Retreat, known in Thai as "PHUN SAA", dates back to the time of early Buddhism in ancient India. The day also marks the beginning of the worship of the Triple Gems, namely: the Lord Buddha, His Teachings and His Disciples. Buddhism is practiced by 95 percent of the population in Thailand, and there are over 300,000 monks living in the country, making the holiday of Wan Khao Phansa, or Buddhist Lent, a pretty big deal. It is said that monks started remaining immobile in a temple during this time because they wanted to avoid killing insects and harming farmland. In Thailand 2 words are used for Lent (the Rainy Season Retreat), either Vassa or Phansa, both meaning "rain, season of rain". Shrine in downtown Bangkok/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson. The Buddhist Lent starts on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month. The Temple and Sunday Market will be closed until further notice. Congregation will give alms to the monks. Wat Khao Lad, or monkey mountain, in Hua Hin/Courtesy of Kelly Iverson. Cancelled:  Asalha Puja Day is one of the most sacred days in Buddhism.

Songkran is essentially a countrywide water fight, originating from the practice of pouring water over statues of Buddha, thus washing away the sins and bad luck from the previous year. All holy men, mendicants and sages spent three months of the annual rainy season in permanent dwellings. After catching wind of this, Buddha decided that in order to avoid damaging crops, hurting insects, or harming themselves during the rainy season, monks should remain in their temples during these three months. This day also is celebrated as Thai Father's day (King's birthday). Here, the history and traditions of Buddhist Lent. The ceremonies for Buddhist Lent start the day before Wan Khao Phansa, when I wake at 05:00AM, with a killer hangover. The Rains Residence (Retreat), is one of the monastic observances having its origin in the time of the Lord Buddha. This is because Fanfan tasked me to empty the house of alcohol the night before, and to rid of all temptations, before starting her 3-months of sobriety. Apparently, traveling monks were crossing through fields, thus destroying the crops of villagers and farmers.