Buddhist Festival - Asaha Bucha Day

The Buddhist Festival of Asaha Bucha is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar. Asaha Bucha day celebrates the occasion of the first sermon given by the Lord Buddha. This Buddhist Festival also commemorates the birth of the Sangha. The Sangha refers to a group of people who have achieved enlightenment, either full or partial. The Lord Buddha preached his first sermon to a group of five ascetics, one of whom was known as Kotanyaa. After listening to the words of the Lord Buddha, Kotanyaa achieved enlightenment and therefore became the first member of the Sangha and the very first Buddhist Monk.

Asaha Bucha day falls on the 15th night of the full moon, during the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar. The word “Asaha” means 8th month and “Bucha” means commemoration or remembrance. In this year, 2011, the Buddhist Festival of Asaha Bucha will be held on the 15th July.

In the Lord Buddha’s first sermon known as the Dhammachakapavattama Sutta, he laid down the fundamental principles of Buddhism which are contained in the 4 Noble Truths. The 4 Noble Truths that the Lord Buddha revealed are;

1: There is suffering (Dukka)
2: Suffering is caused by human desires
3: This suffering can be ended
4: The way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

Asaha Bucha day commemorates the birth of Dhamma (teachings) and the foundation of the Triple Gem namely The Buddha, The Dhamma and the Sangha.

Throughout Thailand, during the Buddhist Festival of Asaha Bucha, Thai Buddhists will visit a Temple to give homage to the Lord Buddha and in the evening at many Temples a candlelight procession called Wian Tian will take place where people holding lighted candles will walk around the Temple 3 times symbolizing the Triple Gem.