ASANHA BUCHA DAY
ASANHA BUCHA DAY
This Buddhist festival, which takes place on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, celebrates the day when the Buddha held his first sermon after his enlightenment to his first five disciples. This is also the day when the first Buddhist monk was ordained. The next day is the beginning of Buddhist Lent and the rainy season retreat of the monks. There are numerous religious celebrations and festivals across the country. The best known festival is probably the Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival. People in Pattaya gathered in various temples to worship, among them our reporter who attended the ceremonies at Wat Tam Sammakee temple. The ceremony included the participants to walk 3 times around the main temple building holding lit candles. A beautiful and fascinating Buddhist tradition indeed.
