Buddhism Week coinciding with His Majesty the King’s birthday celebration
People across the country have been invited to join two major occasions.
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One is the Buddhism Week from July 22 to 28, 2018 to mark Asalha Puja and the beginning of Buddhist Lent. The other occasion is the Celebration of the 66th Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun on July 28, 2018.
Asalha Puja falls on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, coinciding with July 27 this year. It commemorates the day when the Buddha’s first sermon was delivered to his first five disciples, thus bringing into existence the Triple Gem, comprising the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.
The beginning of Buddhist Lent, or the annual three-month Buddhist Rains Retreat, is the day after Asalha Puja. It falls on the first day of the waning moon of the eighth lunar month, coinciding with July 28 this year.
During the three-month period, known in Thai as Khao Phansa, Buddhist monks and novices stay in the temple to study and practice Dhamma and do not stay overnight at any other places.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said that the Government had assigned the Ministry of Culture to work with various organizations in holding activities to mark the Buddhism Week and the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King. The Sanam Luang ceremonial ground in Bangkok is the focal point for the organizing of the activities.
A major activity to be held involves 11 spectacular processions comprising symbols of Buddhism and models of revered Buddhist structures in Thailand, as well as the significant relics of the Buddha in five historical periods: Dvaravati, Lanna, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, and Rattanakosin.
The processions will be launched on July 22, with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam presiding over the ceremony.
The processions will move from the Maha Chetsadabodin Royal Pavilion on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road to Sanam Luang. The relics of the Buddha will be placed at this venue for the people to pay homage to, while an exhibition on the relics in each historical period will also be held.
Apart from Sanam Luang, the Buddhism Week will also be held in the regional areas of the country and at Thai temples overseas. Special activities will also be arranged in 16 provinces sharing borders with ASEAN neighboring countries.
Five major religions, namely Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Brahmanism-Hinduism, and Sikhism, will chant blessings as a tribute to His Majesty the King at Government House at 07.00 hr on July 26, 2018.