Asalha Puja Day (วันอาสาฬหบูชา)

ผู้เยี่ยมชม

Asalha Puja Day

By Phramaha Surasak Suramedhi (Chamaram)
4th Year Student of Humanities’ Faculty, Majoring in English
Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Nakhonratchasima campus

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@....what is Asalha Puja Day ?

Asalha Puja Day, which is known as the Monks’ day, falls on the full moon day of July (the eighth lunar month) in each year. Asalha Puja Day means the day of worshiping on the full moon day of the eight month. There was an important event on this day that the Buddha delivered his first teaching to the Panjavakkiya (the Group of Five Monks), Kondhanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama, and Assaji at the Deer Park, Banares. His first teaching was called the Dhammacakkappavattanasutta (setting into the motion of the wheel of Dhamma). Its main topics were about two extremes that were not practiced, Kamasukhallikanuyoga (Self-indulgence) and Attakilamathanuyoga (Self-Mortification). However, he pointed out only the Middle Way that could be practiced because it was the right way to reach a real happiness of life, to be free from suffering, and to attaint enlightenment (Nibbana). After his preaching, Kondhanna, the head of the group, attained the eyes of Dhamma and later asked for the ordination from the Buddha. The Buddha then ordained him as the first monk in Buddhism. With his ordination, the Buddhist order that consists of the Triple Gem, the Buddha, his teaching (dhamma) and his disciples (sangha), was first founded in the world.

@… The activities that are performed at a temple.

In the morning, Thai Buddhists go to my temple to make merit by offering food to monks and novices, observing the five precepts or the eight precepts(depending on which they observe), listening to the Dhamma talks, and practicing meditation together with monks and novices in the Dhamma hall.

In the evening, they bring flowers candles and incense sticks go to the temple again in order to take part in the Candle Lighting Procession. Before that activity they observe the five precepts or the eight precepts (depending on which they observe), listen to the Dhamma talks, and practice meditation. Then they light candles and incense sticks and walk around on the right side of the ordination hall or any Buddhist buildings three times to commemorate the virtue of the Buddha, his teachings, and his orders. When the activity is finished, some still stay in a temple and some return to their homes

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