BUDDHIST LENT:
As the seasonal monsoon rains descend over the kingdom, it marks the beginning of the Buddhist "rain retreat" and the Buddhist Lent, or "Phansa", during which all Buddhist monks retreat to the temples. This is also an auspicious time for Buddhist ordinations as it marks a period of spiritual renewal.
Known as "Khao Phansa", the Buddhist Lent is a time devoted to study and meditation. Buddhist monks remain within the temple grounds and do not venture out for a period of three months starting from the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month (in July) to the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh lunar month (in October). In former times, this is done to prevent monks from trampling upon rice paddies when they venture out to receive offerings from the villagers.
Buddhism, Buddhist traditions and beliefs are central forces that shape the local way of life and give rise to various festivals of religious origin which have been observed for generations. For example, the majority of the Buddhist ordinations take place during the Buddhist Lent when young novices enter the monkhood. Villagers also actively engage in merit-making during this period. Offerings consisting of an assortment of savoury dishes and sweets as well as items for daily use are offered to monks. Items that provide light such as candles, lanterns and lamp oil are deemed to be particularly important offerings as it is believed that they provide monks with illumination physically and spiritually.
Many of these traditions have evolved into full-scale festivals featured in the Buddhist calendar and the kingdom's official calendar of festivals and events such
as "The Candle Festival" of Ubon Ratchathani province, which features a procession of ornately-carved beeswax candles of various shapes and sizes, and the "Tak Bat Dok Mai" floral offering merit-making ritual that is unique to Saraburi province.
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All photos ©
Tourism Authority of Thailand |
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JULY 31 – AUGUST 1, 2004
TIMELESS TIME ELEGANCE:
THE CANDLE FESTIVAL IN UBON RATCHATHANI,
THE GLORIOUS CITY OF ART
Thung Si Mueang, Ubon Ratchathani
"Timeless Thai Elegance", the Thailand Grand Festival theme for July, highlights the Candle Festival of Ubon Ratchathani province, an annual event on the Thailand Calendar of Events.
The festival features a great candle procession which reflects the devout belief in Buddhism, time-honoured traditions and rituals associated with "Khao Phansa" or the Buddhist Lent, as well as the beauty and uniqueness of the art and culture of the Northeastern region.
Ubon Ratchathani is home to a great number of craftsmen in several fields who continue to produce exceptional work in contemporary art, local handicrafts, Buddhist art and architecture, particularly the ornate work that adorn the temples of Ubon Ratchathani. The magnificent wax candles highlighted during The Candle Festival is the media by which local artisans express their artistic talent.
During the days of the festival, special displays, demonstrations and cultural presentations offer insight into local traditions, beliefs and way of life. For example, see how candles for religious worship are cast, learn about meditation techniques at Wat Nong Pa Phong Temple, and traditional chanting.
Visit communities and temples where candles are made and crafted two or three days before the Royal Candle Procession. Learn about the techniques and methods used as well as the designs applied to the candles. Witness the rituals performed for welcoming the procession. |
THE GREATEST CANDLE EXHIBITION IN THAILAND
AND THE CANDLE PROCESSION
On Asanlaha Bucha Day on July 31 this year, Thung Si Muang field becomes the site of Thailand's grandest candle exhibition. As over 30 magnificent candles from the temples of Ubon Ratchathani are transported to Thung Si Muang in preparation for the candle procession the next morning, procession after procession converge on Thung Si Muang field on Asanlaha Bucha Day. The candles are fully decorated and parades from the various temples are accompanied by local cultural performances, traditional dance and music. Each of the Candle Processions is judged under various categories such as crafting, moulding, and the use of ancient techniques. When night falls, the site where the candles will be displayed is illuminated. In the evening, witness the sombre candle processions seen circling the convocation hall of each of the temples in Ubon Ratchathani. Against the dark of night, the trail of flickering candles forms an eerie but breathtaking spectacle.
Light and sound performances, The Candle Road, and candle-decoration competitions at various locations around Ubon Ratchathani add to the spectacle of the event.
MERIT-MAKING
Another important aspect of the Buddhist Lent is to donate candles to the temples for religious worship. It is believed that this act bestows great blessings on the donor. Visitors are most welcome to join in this auspicious ritual at all temples.
Contact:
TAT Northeastern Region Office – Region 1
Tel: +66 (0) 4524 3770 – 7
Fax: +66 (0) 4524 3771
E-mail: tatubon@tat.or.th
The Tourism Authority of Thailand
Email: info@tat.or.th
Website: www.tat.or.th
Tel: 0-2250 5500 (120 automatic lines)
Fax: 0 2250 5511 (two automatic lines)
FOR EVENT INFORMATION,
please call 1672.
TAK BAT DOK MAI FESTIVAL
JULY 30 - AUGUST 1, 2004
Wat Phra Phutthabat Ratchaworamaha Wihan,
Amphoe Phra Phutthabat, Saraburi
The Tak Bat Dok Mai floral offering merit-making ritual is unique to Saraburi province. This ritual stands out from the merit-making activities conducted in the other parts of Thailand because in addition to the offerings of cooked rice, food, incense, candles and other conventional sacred items, the Tak Bat Dok Mai ritual includes offerings of Dok Khao Phansa flowers that only come into bloom during the Buddhist Lent, hence the origin of its name. Some villagers call the flower Dok Yung Thong (golden peacock) or Dok Hong Thong (golden swan flower). The Dok Khao Phansa is a native species of forested hill-slopes, and is most commonly found in Saraburi province. A member of the Globba family, the flower is similar to galingale or turmeric and is just over 25 centimetres in height. The plant somewhat resembles the "krachai" or aromatic ginger with flowers in large white, yellow, yellowish-violet, or violet and blue sprays. The yellow flowers have smaller violet petals that give it a striking appearance. As the Dok Khao Phansa becomes an increasingly rare find these days, lotus, jasmine and rose have become acceptable alternatives for these floral offerings.
The residents of Amphoe Phra Phutthabat have observed this tradition of making floral offerings since ancient times and it has now become a significant provincial event.
The "Tak Bat Dok Mai" floral merit-making ceremony is performed at the Wat Phra Buddhabat Woramahaviharn - Shrine of the Holy Footprint, a highly revered ancestral place of worship and a national landmark, in the Phra Buddhabat District of Saraburi province.
In the morning of the first day of the Buddhist Lent, residents of the community engage in merit-making activities by presenting offerings to the resident monks at the Wat Phra Buddhabat temple. Later in the morning, young couples venture out into the forested foothills to gather the Dok Khao Phansa flowers. Meanwhile in the district area, the candle procession and the "Tak Bat Dok Mai" procession head towards the temple courtyard.
As a prelude to the floral merit-making ritual which takes place in the afternoon, a variety of traditional folk games and cultural performances are featured. Contests such as the long-drum dance, candle and Thai costume contests keep the audience entertained. In preparation for the "Tak Bat Dok Mai" merit-making ritual, Buddhist devotees line up along both sides of the street forming a long line that extends from the "mondop" or seven-tiered temple spire and trails back along the streets. This forms a passage along which hundreds of monks and novices file past to accept sacred offerings.
The monks then ascend to the Shrine of the Holy Footprint where the offerings received are in turn presented as a tribute to the Lord Buddha. Once the ritual has been completed, the Buddhist devotees pour water over the feet of the monks and novices in the belief that in doing so, the sins of the worshippers are washed away.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
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Merit making with steamed rice |
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Processions of candles, Buddha images and long drums |
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Merit making with flowers |
Contact information:
TAT Central Region Office: Area 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya)
Tel: +66 (0) 3524 6076-7
Fax: +66 (0) 3524 6078
All photos © Tourism Authority of Thailand |
