A Closer Look at Buddhist Lent and Dharma Day in Thailand

[snoop1130]

 

Every Mid Summer in Thailand, usually July or August, is the start of Buddhist Lent, or Vassa. The exact date is the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month.

 

To many tourists, it simply means no alcohol sales and if they have not done their research, can mean several days of bar closures and no parties on vacation. However, as is to be expected, it is much more, especially in a Buddhist country such as Thailand where it is estimated that 95% of the population is Buddhist.

 

The two day religious period begins with Asarnha Bucha Day and the start of Buddhist Lent, it is annually celebrated this year, 2023, on August 1st and 2nd, with dates varying each year based on astrological patterns. Also known as Dharma Day, this auspicious occasion commemorates the first sermon delivered by Lord Buddha, known as the “Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta,” to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment.On this occasion, devout Buddhists visit temples to make merit, participate in candlelit processions around the main chapel, and listen to sermons by monks. The day holds immense spiritual importance as it symbolizes the beginning of Buddha’s teachings and the foundation of the Buddhist monastic order (Sangha).

 

By Goongnang Suksawat

 

Full Story: https://thepattayanews.com/2023/08/01/a-closer-look-at-buddhist-lent-and-dharma-day-in-thailand/

 

-- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2023-08-01

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

[proton]

I have over the years asked Thai Buddhists what the 4 noble truths are and the 8 fold path, yet to find anyone who knows these basic teachings of the Buddha. Monks might know, then again......

[sidjameson]

53 minutes ago, proton said:

I have over the years asked Thai Buddhists what the 4 noble truths are and the 8 fold path, yet to find anyone who knows these basic teachings of the Buddha. Monks might know, then again......

Is your Thai good enough to ask that question? Understand the answer?

[proton]

33 minutes ago, sidjameson said:

Is your Thai good enough to ask that question? Understand the answer?

Why do you think Thais cannot speak Englsih?

[khaowong1]

Lots of money coming into the temples over this period.  The temples will stretch it out for all they can.  

[2baht]

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

devout Buddhists visit temples to make merit,

I thought they bought it! (merit) 

[zzaa09]

7 hours ago, proton said:

I have over the years asked Thai Buddhists what the 4 noble truths are and the 8 fold path, yet to find anyone who knows these basic teachings of the Buddha. Monks might know, then again......

It's all about profiteering.....in one form or another.

[hotchilli]

51 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

It's all about profiteering.....in one form or another.

Biggest ponzi scheme in Thailand.

[dinsdale]

They can have their religious celebrations but it shouldn't impact a total country with the rediculous alcohol sales ban. If Buddhists don't want to consume alcohol on these days then that should be their right. To take the right of purchasing alcohol away from the majority who do want to purches alcohol is simply absurd. It also impacts business so this is just religion dictating what can and cannot be done. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by dinsdale

[brianthainess]

This is good news, in that my wife stops drinking alcohol for 3 months this will be the third year. 

[Hunz Kittisak]

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

They can have their religious celebrations but it shouldn't impact a total country with the rediculous alcohol sales ban. If Buddhists don't want to consume alcohol on these days then that should be their right. To take the right of purchasing alcohol away from the majority who do want to purches alcohol is simply absurd. It also impacts business so this is just religion dictating what can and cannot be done. 

Thailand is a Buddhist country 

95% of Thais are Buddhists 

kindly respect the culture and the laws of the land you are in. 
Count your blessings it’s only alcohol sales that’s banned 
 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Hunz Kittisak

[dinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Thailand is a Buddhist country 

95% of Thais are Buddhists 

kindly respect the culture and the laws of the land you are in. 
Count your blessings it’s only alcohol sales that’s banned 
 

How many of those 95% drink alcohol and how many stocked up for these two days? The reality is Thais drink alcohol no matter what day it is. Alcohol is available for purchase on Buddhist alcohol sales ban days throughout Thailand just not in 711, Big C, restaraunts, bars etc due to this anachrostic religious dictate. This is the reality.  Nothing to do with me not respecting the culture.

[bob smith]

daft law. 

 

this should not be allowed to affect non Buddhists imo.

 

not that it bothers me, im 3 sheets to the wind already!

[dinsdale]

19 minutes ago, bob smith said:

daft law. 

 

this should not be allowed to affect non Buddhists imo.

 

not that it bothers me, im 3 sheets to the wind already!

It shouldn't affect anyone at all. It shouldn't exist. Every Thai I talk with about this says it's stupid. Mind you I tend not to associate with religious conservative types.

ps stocks in fridge running low so I just went and bought a bit more. 

[jacko45k]

3 hours ago, bob smith said:

daft law. 

 

this should not be allowed to affect non Buddhists imo.

 

not that it bothers me, im 3 sheets to the wind already!

Inclined to think countries can make up their own rules and laws (without impacting peoples rights), and scofflaw foreigners should mind their own business. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by jacko45k

[bob smith]

14 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Inclined to think countries can make up their own rules and laws (without impacting peoples rights)

thats the point though.

 

banning alcohol for multiple days per year does inflict on my right to drink freely.

 

I'm an adult, I should be able to make the decision for myself.

[jacko45k]

3 minutes ago, bob smith said:

banning alcohol for multiple days per year does inflict on my right to drink freely.

That is not a 'right'!

Try a week in Saudi or North Korea and get educated. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by jacko45k

[bob smith]

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Try a week in Saudi or North Korea and get educated.

why on earth would I do that?

 

do you think they have it right in their despicable countries??

[stoner]

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Try a week in Saudi or North Korea and get educated. 

thank goodness this thread is about thailand and not saudi or NK.

[bob smith]

5 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

That is not a 'right'!

so if it is not a right for me to drink alcohol when I want to, then why do the state have to ban it? 

 

your argument makes absolutely no sense. 

[bob smith]

not to mention all the tourists that pay thousands to come here on holiday, only to be told they cant have a glass of wine with their meal.

 

they all think it's ridiculous. I havent met a single tourist yet who thinks its a good idea. In fact they all say the same. We arent buddhists, so why should we give a damn. I agree.

Edited August 2, 2023 by bob smith

[jacko45k]

5 minutes ago, bob smith said:

why on earth would I do that?

 

do you think they have it right in their despicable countries??

Of course not... but they do  it anyways. I don't begrudge Thailand having a couple of no alcohol days. After many years in KSA it is trivial to me. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by jacko45k

[jacko45k]

4 minutes ago, bob smith said:

so if it is not a right for me to drink alcohol when I want to, then why do the state have to ban it? 

 

your argument makes absolutely no sense. 

They haven't, just the sale of it, temporarily, for 2 days. Get on your soapbox over that if you so wish.

[bob smith]

3 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

They haven't, just the sale of it, temporarily, for 2 days

right.

 

dont ban the sale of it then.

 

religion is the opium of the people anyway.

Edited August 2, 2023 by bob smith

[Skipalongcassidy]

20 minutes ago, bob smith said:

thats the point though.

 

banning alcohol for multiple days per year does inflict on my right to drink freely.

 

I'm an adult, I should be able to make the decision for myself.

That's the issue right there... the Buddhists and Thai government do not accept that their subjects are adults capable of making the right decisions for themselves... much like the democratic party in the USA.

[jacko45k]

Just now, bob smith said:

right.

 

dont ban the sale of it then.

 

religion is he opium of the people anyway.

Up to them, their country, their rules. Buddhism isn't a religion really, certainly not restrictive to the extent religion can be. 

[2baht]

18 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Thailand is a Buddhist country 

Thailand is a Thai Buddhist country! They have their own interpretation!

[jacko45k]

1 minute ago, Skipalongcassidy said:

That's the issue right there... the Buddhists and Thai government do not accept that their subjects are adults capable of making the right decisions for themselves... much like the democratic party in the USA.

Nothing to do with the topic....if that is all you know, find a thread on that topic!

[bob smith]

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Up to them, their country, their rules.

If I had a penny for everytime I have heard that my god i'd be rich. 

 

daft rule tho innit! 

 

even the thais think it is.

[2baht]

15 minutes ago, bob smith said:

then why do the state have to ban it? 

For your health, Bob!