Vassa

Khao Phansa ( in Thai เข้าพรรษา - [k ʰ ao -p ʰ at - sǎ ː ], literally " the rains begin ") is a Buddhist holiday in Thailand. It is the first day of the three -month rainy season retreat ( Pāli vasso, Sanskrit varṣaḥ, such as: " Rain" ), during the stay, the monks in their temples. This time is also Buddhist Lent (English: Buddhist Lent ) called, which is not quite correct but since it is not specifically fasted. Generally, this is the time to go to the monastery for a limited time while the young men. According ordination ceremonies take place everywhere at the beginning of the fasting month.

Because of this rainy season retreat: Even at the time of the Buddha had become established practice that the " holy men " should refrain for three months on the wandering, because at this time the young sprout crops in the fields. In order not to trample the shoots now, put the Buddha established that monks should stay during the rainy season except in exceptional cases in the same temple.

The exam begins on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth month in the Thai lunisolar calendar. On the eve Asalha Puja was celebrated. The believers donate the temples candles, which can sometimes reach the size of two meters. These candles burn then throughout the rainy season.

Other festivities on this day:

• The Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaeo in Bangkok gets a new look: SM King Bhumibol replaced the light summer time gown by the rainy season robe.
• In Wat Phra Phutthabat Woramahawihan, the Shrine of the Holy Footprint at Saraburi is the " Tak Bat Dok Mai " festival ( Thai: ประเพณี ตักบาตร ดอกไม้, such as: floral offering to the monks ) celebrated. It is the heyday of the Dok Khao Phansa, a rare plant that something on the Krachai ( a ginger - type ) remembers with flowers in white and yellow with purple stripes. It grows in the mountains around the temple. This flower is offered to monks and novices who make the pilgrimage in long processions to the footprint up.
• In Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival is the ( Thai: ประเพณี แห่ เทียนพรรษา, English:. Candle Festival) instead. A procession with giant candles and wax statues runs through the whole city, a colorful event!

• Buddhism in Thailand
• Culture ( Thailand)
• Festivals and traditions (Buddhism )