By Itsarin Tisantia
Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
Thai Buddhists will celebrate Makha Bucha Day on February 22. The original Makha Bucha happened nine months after Lord Buddha's enlightenment. It is one of the three most important Buddhist holidays in the kingdom.
Read the following story to learn more about the history of the holy day.
Thai Theravada Buddhists sometimes take it for granted that all Theravada countries must also celebrate similar Buddhist holidays. This is not the case. Makha Bucha Day is celebrated only in Thailand and neighbouring countries that used to be under Siam's rule such as Laos and Cambodia.
CENTURIES-OLD CELEBRATION
Siam started to celebrate Makha Bucha in the reign of King Rama IV or around 150 years ago. King Rama IV was very well versed in Buddhist history and recognised that Makha Bucha was a crucial moment in Buddhism.
His Majesty therefore introduced the first celebration to his royal family members and courtiers. It later spread to Siamese commoners and Siam's then colonies.
MIRACULOUS INCIDENTS
The four following special aspects are, according to Buddhist belief, what happened on a full-moon of the third lunar month more than 2,500 years ago that later prompted the King to honour it.
1. A total of 1,250 monks happened to come to pay respect to Lord Buddha simultaneously that evening without any prior appointment.
2. All monks present that night were arhanta — those who had already become enlightened at the highest level. Another thing that was special about them was that they were all ordained personally by Lord Buddha himself.
3. It was a special full moon of the third lunar month. According to Brahmin belief, the night is called Maha Shivratri, a time to pay homage to god Shiva. Brahmins would engage in many symbolic activities to cleanse themselves of sin such as bathing in the Ganges River.
4. The Lord Buddha gave those arhanta the principles of Buddhism, called ovadhapatimokha. Those principles include to cease from all evil, to do what is good and to cleanse one's mind.
MERIT-MAKING DAY
During Makha Bucha Day, Buddhists usually make merit at temples that both deliver special sermons on Lord Buddha’s principles and hold a candlelit procession, while others find it convenient to give offerings to monks walking past their homes in the early morning.
Exercises
Read through the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. King Rama V introduced Makha Bucha celebrations in Thailand.
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2. According to the four special aspects, more than 1,300 monks gathered to pay respect to Lord Buddha.
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3. All monks present that night were arhanta.
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3. Lord Buddha’s principles given on Makha Bucha Day are called ovadhapatimokha.
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Vocabulary
- enlightenment (n): knowledge about and understanding of something
versed (adj): having a lot of knowledge about something
courtier (n): a person who is part of the court of a king or queen
commoner (n): a person who does not come from a royal or noble family
cleanse (v): take away somebody’s guilty feelings or sin
cease (v): to stop happening or existing
candlelit (adj): lit by candles
