Makha Bucha an important Buddhist festival in Thailand

Makha Bucha Day is a Buddhist festival, which takes place every year on the night of the full moon in the 3rd month of the lunar calendar, it is a public holiday.

“ Makha ” is the Pali word for the third lunar month, while “ bucha ” means to honor or venerate.

As Makha Bucha Day (Thai: วันมาฆบูชา) is based on the lunar calendar, the date varies from year to year.

This year Makha Bucha Day will be celebrated on February 12, 2025.

Origin of Makha Bucha

Buddha 's enlightenment , four special events occurred:

1. 1,250 followers of the Sangha (Buddhist community) decided to come and see the Buddha at Weluwan Wannaram without prior consultation.
2. All were Arhants (1), saints who had attained enlightenment, and all were ordained by the Buddha himself.
3. It was the first large assembly of a group of Buddhist monks, so the Buddha taught these Arhants the three fundamental principles of Buddhism, called "The Ovadhapatimokha" which is considered the first constitution for all laws of Buddhist monks from then until now.
4. It was the day of the full moon.

The three fundamental precepts taught by Buddha

The 3 precepts are:

1. Refrain from committing all kinds of impurities
2. Be good and do good
3. Purify your mind

Makha Bucha in Thailand

Thailand began celebrating the Makha Bucha festival during the reign of King Rama IV, about 150 years ago .

King Rama IV considered Buddhist teachings to be very important, recognizing Makha Bucha as one of the most remarkable events in Buddhist history.

So His Majesty presented the first Makha Bucha Day celebration to his royal family members and courtiers.

The celebration quickly gained popularity among the Siamese population.

Activities to observe during Makha Bucha

For Buddhists, but you can also participate:

Making merit ( tam boune ) by going to temples, listening to Dhamma teachings, giving offerings and participating in ceremonies.

Offer food to monks and novices.

Food offering to Buddhist monks in Thailand.

Observe the five precepts:

• Do not kill
• Do not steal
• Not to engage in sexual misconduct (not to cheat)
• Don't lie
• Do not drink alcohol

Candlelight procession: wian thian

Tourists participate in a candlelit procession: wian thian.

In the evening, every temple in Thailand holds a candlelit procession called wian thian (wian meaning "going around").

Holding flowers, incense, and a lit candle, the monks and congregation members walk three times clockwise around the phra ubosot (ordination hall), once for each of the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Buddhists from all over the country flock to temples to participate in these processions.

The Thai government has declared this day a national holiday so that people can participate in religious rituals and make good merit for their karma.

Meditate:

Many temples, religious centers, and meditation centers welcome both Thai Buddhists and foreigners (regardless of their religion) who wish to participate in meditation sessions held throughout the country.

No drinking alcohol

Alcohol is not served in observance of religious holidays in Thailand.

On Makha Bucha Day, alcohol consumption is not only considered a religious violation, but also a civil offense.

Bars, restaurants, supermarkets, department stores, retail and convenience stores, and even some hotels are prohibited from selling or serving alcohol to customers and their guests.

Violation of this alcohol ban can result in imprisonment of up to six months and a heavy fine (10,000 baht as of the last decree).

PS: I don't know if this is a law that only applies to Thais, but in general, bars for foreigners are sometimes open with the curtain half-closed and serve alcohol very discreetly.

Finally, it is better to respect this holiday and abstain!

(1) The difference between a Buddha and an Arhant is that a Buddha attains enlightenment on his own while an Arhant attains it through teaching.

See also:

Theravada Buddhism in Thailand, the country's main religion

Thailand Holidays and Festivals: Important Dates in 2024

Learn to Meditate: Complete Meditation Course

Source: learnthaiwithmod.com ; Wikipedia ; Photos: Monks lighting candles at Wat Phan Tao: John Shedrick ; Candlelight procession: Honey Kochphon Onshawee; Buddha teaching: terimakasih0 ; Offering to monks: sasint