If you’re living and working in Thailand, you’re probably getting excited for a long weekend, as most businesses will close their doors this Friday. But while you may be headed to the beach, many Buddhist Thai’s will head to temple in honor of one of the most important Buddhist holidays of the year; Asalha Puja Day, otherwise known as Asarnha Bucha Day.
It’s always appreciated when a foreigner shows interest in the local culture, a large part of which in Thailand revolves around the national religion of Buddism. And if you have a house or condo in Thailand, you most likely at least have Buddhist neighbours, let alone Buddhist Thai friends. Here you can learn about the modern rituals and history behind this important holiday:
When is Asalha Puja /Asarnha Bucha Day?
This holiday is not on any particular date or day, but is always the same day as the 8th full moon of the year, which usually falls in July. Most Thai calendars will have small symbols showing when the full moon will reach its full size.
What Is the Story Behind Asalha Puja Day?
This holiday is one of the three most important holidays in the Buddhist religion, of which Buddha, a man who lived over 2,500 years ago, is the figurehead. Buddha is/was not a God, but a mortal human. Through his search for the meaning of life, he reached Enlightenment and then shared his teachings, which today is known as Buddhism.
The three most important days in Buddhism honor 1) the day Buddha was born, 2) the day of Buddha’s enlightenment, and 3) the day of Buddha’s first sermon. Asalha Puja day honors this third day.
Buddha’s first sermon is extremely important to recognize and reflect on for Buddhists, as it was this teaching that introduced the Four Noble Truths, which teach how to achieve Enlightenment. They teach that in life, 1) there is suffering (dukkha); and 2) that this suffering is caused by craving (tanha). 3) There is a state (nirvana) beyond suffering and craving; and 4) the way to nirvana is via the “Eightfold Path.”
As all of the teachings of Buddhism essentially revolve around the knowledge and belief in the four noble truths, Buddha’s first sermon was vital in establishing the ideology of Buddhism. On a more practical matter, this was also when Buddha ordained the very first monk, institutionalizing Buddhism as a religion.
What Happens on Asalha Day in Thailand? How is it Celebrated?
Unlike many holidays in Western cultures, this important Buddhist holiday is not “celebrated,” so to speak. It is strictly for religious practice and is not at all commercialized. Those who are not Buddhist may consider this holiday just as any other day of the year, with the exceptions of not having to go to work, and the fact that most businesses will not sell alcohol.
Those who are religious will go to the store first thing in the morning and purchase food and everyday useful items to give to the monks. The monks will then receive the gifts during an alms ceremony. The gifts on this day are often of greater quantities or higher quality than other days of the year. Later in the day, practicing Buddhists will go to temple and will walk around the temple carrying long and thin candles, incense and flowers while quietly reciting traditional chants. It is a beautiful ceremony that is interesting to watch, but if you do visit a temple on this day remember to be very quiet, dress very respectfully (shoulders and knees must be covered) and remain in the background so as to not disturb anyone’s religious rituals.
Should you understand Thai, it may be interesting to sit in on one of the special sermons that take place at the major temples in Thailand.
