Khao Phansa day 2020 in Wang Burapha, our village

The first day of Khao Phansa is kicked off with a service at temples nationwide. Khao Phansa is often called ‘Buddhist Lent’. Chulaborn Graduate Institute describes it thusly: “... this 3 month period is the time to attain the dharma, i.e. to do spiritual training. So the devotees stay away from all causes of disasters or sins by giving up alcoholic drink, smoking, and meat eating. In addition, they spend more of the time training their mind by studying the dharma or Buddha’s teachings, chanting prayers, meditating, and listening to sermons delivered by monks.” For instance giving up alcohol or cigarettes are common during this three month period. It normally begins on the first day after the first full moon in July.

This also formally kicks off the rainy season where monks were unable to travel between temples. Wherever the monks are on this day, they will stay for 3 months. During this ceremony people make merit by bringing ‘gifts’ for the monks. Toothpaste, bottled water, toilet paper, robes, dry noodles, laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo and a host of other useful things are included in baskets given to the monks. One identical item for each monk.




Normally our temple is full to seriously overflowing for Khao Phansa, but due to Covid-19, fewer people traveled back. The temple was still quite full, just not quite so much. As you can see from the pictures, most people were wearing masks, but with Thailand having a very low infection rate, quite a few people are often not wearing them.










During this three month period of time many people will spend every Monday night sleeping at the temple chanting prayers, meditating, and making merit. These people all dress in white. On the Khao Phansa day, after the monks are served, they are given priority at the food table which is overflowing with all kinds of food. Some is store bought and some is home made, but there is always plenty for people to take home after the ceremony.






People of all ages are in attendance. As the ceremony is quite long, over an hour, children tend to get a bit restless and amuse themselves with games, phones and wandering around.






One of Pum’s friends comes at this time every year and serves food to any who wish to take it. Though she no longer lives here, she makes merit by giving back to the place she was raised in.







People come to the temple by all kinds of conveyances. Some walk but most come via a vehicle like one of these,









I’ve posted many pictures of our local temple in the past so I have only a few to share this time. A new structure is being built and the Buddha is already installed. I also included two more shots of the unoccupied house behind the temple originally lived in by the first monk who lived at our temple.





That's all for this post. I visited an amazing temple yesterday and have lots of interesting photos which I will post in the next day or two.  Have a great weekend everyone!!

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