Makha Bucha Day

[webfact]

Makha Bucha Day


Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is Thailand's primary and most important temple
File photo, source: wikipedia.org

Makha Bucha is one of the most important religious festivals celebrated in Thailand, and is done to venerate the teachings of Buddha. In 2013, Thailand will celebrate this public holiday on the 25th of February which falls on the full moon day of the third month in the lunar calendar. “Makha” is the Thai word for the third Lunar month, while “bucha” means to honor or to venerate.

History of Makha Bucha
Several different sources cite the origins of this day to certain events that occurred in the Buddha’s lifetime. Just nine months after his Enlightenment, 1,250 monks came to see the Buddha without a preset schedule. This gathering gave the Buddha the opportunity to teach them the “Ovādapātimokha” or the principles of Buddhism: do what is good, cease all evil and purify the mind.

In Thailand, these teachings are known as the “Heart of Buddhism”. This gathering occurred on the full moon during the third lunar month.

Another event celebrated during this day occurred 45 years later, shortly before the end of the Buddha’s life. Here, the Buddha gave his final teachings and achieved the final Nirvana or “Parinibbhana” where his spirit or mind is separated from the physical body. This also happened on the full moon day of the the third lunar month.

Makha Bucha Activities
Makha Bucha day is a highly religious festival, one that is strongly observed throughout the country. Buddhists visit temples to pay their respects to the Buddha. Many hear sermons and the teachings of the Buddha, while others use this day to build up their merit by doing good deeds and participating in special events (tum boon). There are also other activities that are slated for this occasion.

Wian Tiam
This is a candlelit procession that is held on the eve of Makha Bucha in various temples around Thailand. Monks and other devotees circle these temples in a clockwise direction and carry with them three items: a lighted candle, flowers and a lighted incense stick. These items represent the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, his teachings or the Dhamma, and the monkhood or Sangha.

Keeping the Five Precepts
This practice is known as rub sil. This is considered as the basic code of ethics for Buddhism, and many devotees try to follow them as much as they can. These five precepts are:

• To abstain from harming any living thing;
• To abstain from stealing;
• To abstain from all intoxicants;
• To abstain from backbiting, gossip, intrigue, and from telling lies
• To abstain from sexual immorality
• Additionally, several other principles are followed by different Buddhist practices and the wording of each principle varies on tradition.

Celebrations with the Thai King
The King and Head of State of Thailand participates in special ceremonies for Makha Bucha. Some thirty monks are invited to have breakfast at the royal palace, after which they pray and chant mantras of the Buddha’s teachings. Candles of the same number of monks who visited the Buddha all those years ago are lit by the King shortly after. Often, these ceremonies are aired live on television for the faithful to see.

No Alcohol
Tourists should note that while many restaurants and dining establishments around Thailand will be open during Makha Bucha, they most likely will not serve alcoholic beverages. Most bars will also be closed at this time.

State and government office operations are also closed on Makha Bucha day.


-- 2013-02-23

[webfact]

Monday, February 25 is Makha Bucha Day
By Pattaya Mail

Banks, offices will be closed

This year, Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist All Saints Day) falls on Monday, February 25. Government offices, banks and many businesses will be closed. It is also illegal to sell or distribute alcohol on important religious holidays in Thailand.

This year, Makha Bucha Day (Buddhist All Saints Day) falls on Monday, February 25. Government offices, banks and many businesses will be closed.

This holy day commemorates the miraculous event when 1,250 disciples of the Buddha, Gautama Sakayamuni, traveled to meet with the Buddha with no prearranged agreement, at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple in the area of Rachakhryha, India.

Devout Buddhists are expected to turn out in the thousands at local temples to conduct religious ceremonies.

Reminder: In 2009 the Prime Minister’s Office issued a no alcohol edict, banning the sale of alcohol on important religious holidays.

The Notification of the Office of the Prime Minister RE: Determination of Days of Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverage Sales (No. 2) B.E. 2552 (A.D. 2009), signed by then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, specifically prohibits the sale of alcohol on Makha Bucha Day, Visakha Bucha Day, Asalaha Bucha Day and Buddhist Lent holidays.

On Monday, Feb. 25, it is against the law for businessmen to distribute alcohol. This includes bars and restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, and community retail stores. An amendment to the decree exempts hotels from the ban.

Those caught breaking the law can face up to six months in jail and fines up to 10,000 baht.

Source: http://www.pattayamail.com/localnews/monday-february-25-is-makha-bucha-day-22528

-- Pattaya Mail 2013-02-23

[COXYATCITY]

Bars will be closed.although there will be lock ins as usual,or drinking whiskey out of coffee cups..the BIB,do not like to loose out on there Tea money

[Psych01]

Keeping the Five Precepts

This practice is known as rub sil. This is considered as the basic code of ethics for Buddhism, and many devotees try to follow them as much as they can. These five precepts are:

• To abstain from harming any living thing;
• To abstain from stealing;
• To abstain from all intoxicants;
• To abstain from backbiting, gossip, intrigue, and from telling lies
• To abstain from sexual immorality
• Additionally, several other principles are followed by different Buddhist practices and the wording of each principle varies on tradition.

And as we all know, every last one of them follow these very simple and easy rules to the hilt. Unfortunately.