BUDDHISM AND THE THAI NEW YEAR
Buddhism has a relation to both the astrological and lunar features of the Thai calendar. Having originated in northern India, in a Hindu setting Buddhism often carried with it astrological ritual features from Brahman India. In addition, as Buddhism easily accommodated many other beliefs, such as the Tai animism, it was early adopted by the Tais of southern China long before the founding of Thailand. Many old temple structures built by Tai kings had an astrological base in terms of design and construction and these were built to represent the universe and its astronomical bodies. The aspect of the position of the sun and its movement from Aries into Taurus would have become important to the Thais in later years because of the emphasis placed on auspicious movements of heavenly bodies, and it would have become even more important to the Thais because of the importance placed on the Thai 12-year cycle in conjunction with the 12 astrological signs of the zodiac.
Another aspect of Buddhism as it evolved in Southeast Asia relates to the lunar feature of the Thai calendar and the Thai New Year. In Buddhism, the phases of the moon are extremely important as indicators of auspicious days of each month for Buddhist holy days. These auspicious days always fall on one of the four following moon-days: the 8th day of a Waxing moon (Keun 8 Kumm), the 15th day of a waxing moon (Keun 15 Kumm), the 8th day of a waning moon (Raem 8 Kumm), or the 15th day of a waning moon (Raem 15 Kumm). Chart 3, Phases of the moon for each Thai month shows the waxing, and waning moon for every day of the year by the month and the total number of days in each month.
This chart of moon phases is taken from the ancient Siamese calendar. Above, in reference to Buddhist holy days, and on the chart in far right column, top, the word 'Kumm' is used and means 'night'. This is a unique feature of Siamese calendar date reckoning where the ancients used the term night instead of 'day' because night is when we can see the moon. Taking the lunar feature even further, because it is of such importance in Thai reckoning there is a special form for providing the date and day in the Thai lunar style.
Buddhism clearly plays an important role in the astrological and lunar features of the Thai calendar and the Thai New Year, but the basis of the old lunar calendar of Siam is believed to have been a agriculture and the annual growing season.
BUDDHISM AND THE THAI NEW YEAR
Buddhism has a relation to both the astrological and lunar features of the Thai calendar. Having originated in northern India, in a Hindu setting Buddhism often carried with it astrological ritual features from Brahman India. In addition, as Buddhism easily accommodated many other beliefs, such as the Tai animism, it was early adopted by the Tais of southern China long before the founding of Thailand. Many old temple structures built by Tai kings had an astrological base in terms of design and construction and these were built to represent the universe and its astronomical bodies. The aspect of the position of the sun and its movement from Aries into Taurus would have become important to the Thais in later years because of the emphasis placed on auspicious movements of heavenly bodies, and it would have become even more important to the Thais because of the importance placed on the Thai 12-year cycle in conjunction with the 12 astrological signs of the zodiac.
Another aspect of Buddhism as it evolved in Southeast Asia relates to the lunar feature of the Thai calendar and the Thai New Year. In Buddhism, the phases of the moon are extremely important as indicators of auspicious days of each month for Buddhist holy days. These auspicious days always fall on one of the four following moon-days: the 8th day of a Waxing moon (Keun 8 Kumm), the 15th day of a waxing moon (Keun 15 Kumm), the 8th day of a waning moon (Raem 8 Kumm), or the 15th day of a waning moon (Raem 15 Kumm). Chart 3, Phases of the moon for each Thai month shows the waxing, and waning moon for every day of the year by the month and the total number of days in each month.
This chart of moon phases is taken from the ancient Siamese calendar. Above, in reference to Buddhist holy days, and on the chart in far right column, top, the word 'Kumm' is used and means 'night'. This is a unique feature of Siamese calendar date reckoning where the ancients used the term night instead of 'day' because night is when we can see the moon. Taking the lunar feature even further, because it is of such importance in Thai reckoning there is a special form for providing the date and day in the Thai lunar style.
Buddhism clearly plays an important role in the astrological and lunar features of the Thai calendar and the Thai New Year, but the basis of the old lunar calendar of Siam is believed to have been a agriculture and the annual growing season.
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