Buddhist Lent - KHAO
PHANSA
July - October
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.
Maemao Mini-Half
Marathon in the Queen's Honor
Date:
1st week Of AUGUST
Location:
Maemor Withaya School, Lampang
Detail/
Activities:
Contact:
Maemor Running For Health
Tel:
(66 54) 252 600, 252 609
Lam Yai Festival
Date:
05 August
Location:
Lamphun Sport
Stadium
Detail/
Activities:
Contact:
Lamphun
Provincial Administration Office
Tel:
(66 53) 511017
Fueng Fah Festival
Date:
12 AUGUST
Location:
Chiangmai
Detail/
Activities:
Contact:
TAT Office Northern
Tel:
(66 53) 248 604, 248
607
HER MAJESTY'S BIRTHDAY :
Date:
12 th August.
Location:
Detail/
Activities:
Her Majesty's
The Queen's birthday. It is celebrated annually nationwide where
government and private building and streets throughout the kingdom
will be brightly lit and decorated lavishly. "Mother's Day" is
celebrated on the same day
Contact:
Tel:
(66 53)
NORTHERN FLORA &
DECORATIVE PLANTS SHOW
Date:
Location:
Detail/
Activities:
Contact:
Tel:
(66 53)
The above schedule are subject to changes without prior notice
Kindly contact the various tourism and city council or
agencies for the latest information
For
further information and enquiry on Chiang Mai Thailand, kindly contact: TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND (TAT) Northern Office: Region One 105/1 Chiangmai - Lamphun Road, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50000
Tel: (66 53) 248 604, 248 607 and 241 466. Fax: (66 53) 248 605
Email: tatcnx@samart.co.th
Website:
www.tat.or.th :
www.tourismthailand.org
Office Hours: 08:30 am to 04:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
