Wat Bahn Mai 2008
Added 16-July-2008

The school went to Wat Bahn Mai Temple to observe two important days celebrated by Buddhists.

Asalha Bucha Day which is considered to be one of the most sacred Buddhist holy days, it was on this day around two thousand five hundred years ago that the Buddha delivered his first sermon known as the turning of the wheel of Dhamma or “Dhammachakkappavattanasutta”. Each year it typically takes place in July, on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eighth lunar month and marking the beginning of the monsoon season.

Khao Phansa Day marks the entering of the Buddhist lent, the Buddha had specified that during the three months of the monsoon season, monks should stop traveling and stay fixed in one monastery which allowed them more time to devote themselves more earnestly to their spiritual practice of cultivating mindfulness and compassion through meditation and reflection.

As is customary the students listened to a sermon by the Abbot about this special event and made an offering of candles to the temple and ended the morning by circumambulating the main Chedi or pagoda three times.

Photo credits: Kroo Matt.