“Day of Buddhist Lent” 2022, which this year falls on July 14, 2022, isbig dayIn Buddhism, Theravada monks pray that they will remain stationed somewhere during the rainy season. with a period of 3 months as stipulated by the Discipline without having to stay overnight elsewhere or known as “Remember the Buddhist Lent” (Phansa means rainy season, remember means rest)
forBuddhist LentThis is a direct practice for monks. Monks will not remember the Buddhist Lent. Because any form does not remember the Buddhist Lent, it is considered to be punished by all rules according to the Discipline. Buddhist Lent normally begins on the first day of the waning day of the 8th month of every year (or the last 8th month if there are two 8th months) and ends on the 15th day of the 11th month or the end of Buddhist Lent.
Buddhist Lent Day (1st waning day, 8th month or leap year will be postponed to the first waning day of the 8th lunar month) or the Buddhist Lent Festival (the first waning day of the 8th lunar month to the 15th day of the 11th lunar month or the leap year will be postponed to the first waning day of the 8th lunar month until the 15th day of the waxing moon of the 11th lunar month) It is considered one of the important Buddhist festivals and days in Thailand. It lasts about 3 months during the rainy season.
The Buddhist Lent Day is an important Buddhist day that follows Asanha Bucha Day (the 15th day of the 8th lunar month), which Thai Buddhists, both the King and the general public, have inherited the tradition of making merit on Buddhist Lent for a long time since the Sukhothai period.
The reason why the Buddha allowed the “monks” to stay in one place for three months was the reason for the monks to take a break from their pilgrimage to spread their religion to various places, which would be difficult during the rainy season in order to prevent damage from the possibility of trampling on the grains of villagers planted on their plots during the rainy season And especially during the 3 months of the Buddhist Lent period, it is a time and an important occasion in the year that the monks will come together in the abbot or any place to study the discipline from the monks who knowledge exchanged experiences and built unity among the Sangha
inBuddhist Lent Dayand rangerainy seasonThroughout the 3 months, Thai Buddhists consider it a good opportunity to make merit by going to temples and making merit. listen to sermons The special thing from other important days is the light bulb offering. Lent candle and rain cloth (Wassikasat cloth) for the monks as well in order for the monks to use it for the Buddhist Lent In the past, Thai men who were Buddhists, when they reached the age of 20 years, would be ordained as a monk for the 3 months of the Buddhist Lent season. “Ordaining the Buddhist Lent”
In addition, in the year 2008, the government announced that “Day of Buddhist Lent” is “National Alcohol Abstinence Day” In the following year, the Buddhist Lent was announced as a day to prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages throughout the Kingdom. This is to campaign for Thai people to set up the truth to pray to refrain from drinking alcohol on the day of the Buddhist Lent and during the 3 months during the Buddhist Lent season. To promote good values for Thai society
Importance of Lent
- During the Buddhist Lent period, it is the time when the villagers are engaged in farming. Therefore, requiring monks to stop pilgrimage to various places would help the plants of the seedlings or small animals not be damaged by the pilgrimage.
- After traveling to propagate Buddhism for 8-9 months, the Buddhist Lent period is the time for monks to take a break.
- It is a time for monks to practice the Dharma for themselves. and study the Dharma and Discipline as well as prepare to teach the people when it comes to the end of Buddhist Lent
- in order to have the opportunity to teach and ordain for elders who have reached the age of ordination which is an important force in propagating Buddhism further
- so that Buddhists have the opportunity to make special merits, such as making merit, offering food to monks casting candles Offering robes for bathing in the rain, keeping the precepts, praying, offering the four factors of Thai Dharma Abstain from evil and had the opportunity to listen to sermons throughout the Buddhist Lent
Buddhist Lent is divided into two types.
- Purim Phansa (also written as Prem Phansa) is the first Buddhist Lent. Starting from the first day of the waning moon of the 8th month (for a leap year, that is, there are two 8th months, starting on the first day of the waning moon of the 8th month) until the 15th day of the lunar month of the 11th month after the end of Buddhist Lent. Monks who have completed 3 months of Buddhist Lent have the right to receive Kathin which has a period of only one month. From the first day of the waning moon of the 11th lunar month to the 15th waxing moon of the 12th lunar month
- The last Buddhist Lent is the end of Buddhist Lent. Used in cases where monks have to travel long distances or have force majeure causing him to return to the first Buddhist Lent on the first day of the waning day of the 8th lunar month in time, having to wait for the last Buddhist Lent, which is the first day of the waning day of the ninth lunar month, and then going to go out of the Buddhist Lent on the 15th day of the 12th lunar month, which is exactly the end of the Kathin ceremony Therefore, monks who entered the last Buddhist Lent did not have the opportunity to receive Kathin. But he had the same Buddhist Lent as the monks who entered the Buddhist Lent as well
The merits of the monks who remember the Buddhist Lent
When the monks complete the full quarters of Buddhist Lent, they have prayed for the end of Buddhist Lent and have received the Kathin ceremony. would receive merit or exceptions to the five disciplines, which are
- Wherever you go, you don’t have to say goodbye. (Leaving the temple without the need to inform the abbot or other monks first)
- Traveling without having to carry a complete set of three robes
- I can nutrition (encircle me)
- Keep your hobbies as you wish. (except for some of the nissakkhiya pachittiya precepts)
- The robes that were born there belonged to the monks. (When there are people who donate more than three robes, they can be kept without having to give up into the center.)
Exceptions to Buddhist Lent
Although this Buddhist Lent is a direct practice for monks which cannot be refrained under any circumstances, but in the Buddhist Lent during that Lent There may be some necessity, forcing monks to leave the place of worship in order to stay elsewhere. The Buddha also allowed this to be done without regard to the absence of the Lent on a case-by-case basis, as stated in the Tipitaka. Most of which are related to religion or the adoption of parents. but must return within a period of not more than 7 days. “Sattahakaraya” which the reason for the temporary departure from the Buddhist Lent, such as
- going to the hospital to provide food for sick monks or parents, etc. In this case, this can be done with the five Saha Dhammaks, mothers and fathers.
- to suppress the monks and novices who want to be discouraged In this case, it can be done with Sahathhammak 5.
- Going for the business of the monks, such as finding equipment to repair a broken cubicle or going to perform sangha kamma, such as chanting verbal acts for a monk who wants to live in peace, etc.
- If invited to make merit Then go and guess, give food, receive precepts, listen to the teachings of the Dharma. In this case, if Yom doesn’t come to invite him, he won’t be able to stay.
If the monks leave the abbot, even by virtue of late seven days in accordance with the Vinaya, it is considered “Lack of Buddhist Lent” and it is a crime for every rule because it accepts (Received the Lent prayer but couldn’t)
In the event that the Sangha Sattahakayaya and returned as scheduled not considered a crime and can come back to remember the Buddhist Lent continuously and if there is a necessity to leave the Buddhist Lent in accordance with the discipline again It can be done by the faithful. but must return within seven days. so as not to break the Buddhist Lent and not be a crime against all the above rules
Traditions for Lent in Thailand
In Thailand, there are many traditions associated with the entry of Buddhist monks for a long time. As appeared many traditions related to the Buddhist Lent such as The tradition of offering candles to monks to worship in the monastery and to offer to novice monks to take to read Buddhist scriptures during the Buddhist Lent The tradition of offering bath towels or cloth to monks before Lent for monks to use to bathe the rain water during the rainy season and especially the event that Thai Buddhists consider as a big merit event of the year. Kathin Robe Offering Tradition held after the monks pavana the end of Buddhist Lent in order to offer Kathin robes to monks who remember the full length of the Buddhist Lent and receive the merits of Kathin, etc.
The merits of offering candles
In the past, it was believed that offering candles to the Buddhist Lent would make life as bright and prosperous as the light of a candle. If there is a problem, it will find a solution that is like the light of a candle. Later, candles were offered to enhance the love. usually offered in pairs because it is believed that candlelight will help to illuminate life enhance the love horoscope have a smooth marriage
- cause wisdom both this life and the next like the light of a candle
- make bright Those who donate bring prosperity with wealth, rank, and praise.
- to unravel the stories who has problems in life to make the bad become good
- Growing up with friends
- would surely be loved by mankind and all the gods
- When leaving this world, there is a radiant celestial body.
- After leaving this world, he will go to heaven.
- If the prestige is enough would cause the eye is the wisdom that enters nirvana
