Today is one of the holiest Buddhist holidays. It is called Makha Bucha (litterally, "worship in the third month") and is celebrated on the 3rd lunar cycle. Thai Buddhists visit the temples to light candles and remember two separate events that happened on this day.
The first event occurred nine months after Buddha reached Enlightenment, when 1250 of his disciples showed up to hear him preach, unannounced and unplanned. His sermon gave the disciples the "Monk Way": give up evil, cultivate good, and cleanse one's mind.
The second event took place 44 years later, when Buddha announced that he would be entering Nirvana three months from that date. That holy day (three months from now) is called Visakha Bucha
Where do you read or find out about these wonderful tid bits of knowledge that you pick up along the way?? Do you hear about it, then research it, or have you researched the culture and religion and just know?
Keep 'em comin'!! I like to learn new things!
Love you!!
Well, in this case, I had to do some research on the Internet. I knew it was the Makha Bucha holiday and so I asked a few Thai friends what it meant. None could really tell me the details (other than it being an important Buddhist holiday), so I "googled" it and summarized my findings here.
I will be in Bangkok in March. I've read that in March Makha Bucha will be celebrated on 11th. Where is the best place to have a look?
Thank you,
greetings, simone*