Buddhist Lent
July to October, one of the holiest periods
of the Buddhist calendar, coincides
with the rainy season. It is a period
of reflection, meditation and religious
observances.
The start of Khao Phansaa (Buddhist
Lent) is observed on the first day of the
waning moon in the eighth lunar month.
This is the traditional time for young men
to enter the monkhood and earn merit for
their family and maturity for themselves.
Thai men who have not yet become monks
are often viewed as ‘unripe’. Buddhist Lent
is also known as the rains retreat, when
monks withdraw into the monastery. The
practice dates to the historical Buddha
when monks were itinerant preachers and
foul weather made travel difficult. The
start of the rains also initiated the planting
season and the potential for trampling on
young seedlings was a concern.
Many merit-making activities define
this period for the laity. Buddhist faithful
present the monks with once-useful
offerings of candles and lamp oil, which
have now become symbols of spiritual
illumination.
The end of Buddhist lent (three lunar
months later) is known as Ork Phansaa.
The temples observe the gà·tĭn ceremony,
in which new robes are given to the monks
by merit-makers. Folk practices herald the
end of the rains with long-tail-boat races.TOP BUDDHIST LENT FESTIVALS» Ubon Ratchathani’s Candle Parade
Festival (p 436 ) Elaborate wax candles
become religious works of art.
» Nong Khai’s Naga Fireballs (p 465 )
Mysterious gaseous balls rise out of the
Mekong River.
» Nakhon Phanom’s Illuminated Boat
Festival (p 483 ) Electrified boats turn the
Mekong River into a mini-disco.ANDREW WATSON/LONELY PLANET IMAGES ©RICHARD VAN KESTEREN/ALAMY ©Clockwise from top lef t & following page- Loi Krathong offerings 2. Moo·ay tai dancer at Ork
Phansaa parade, Sakon Nakhon 3. The Candle Festival
during Khao Phansaa, Ubon Ratchathani 4. Long-tail-
boat races, Ork Phansaa festivities, Sakon Nakhon 5. Loi
Krathong, Chiang Mai 6. Vegetarian Festival, Phuket