Wan Ok Phansa (วันออกพรรษา) or Boun Ok Phansa (บุญออกพรรษา) is the end of Buddhist Lent, considered as a public holiday in Laos but in Thailand it is an ordinary day. Today is the last day of three-month Buddhist Lent. People usually gather at temples for giving alms with solemnity. This day also marks the end of the rainy season in some Asian countries like Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism is practiced.
NOTE: We don't have the light waving rite (พิธีเวียนเทียน) on this day.
The phenomenon of the Naga fireballs (บั้งไฟพญานาค) is most often reported around the night of Wan Ok Phansa as well.
- gather /ˈɡæðə(r)/ (v.) to come together, or bring people together, in one place to form a group
- alms /ɑːmz/ (n.) money, clothes and food that are given to poor people (in this context, is to offer food to monks)
- solemnity /səˈlemnəti/ (n.) formal things that people do at a serious event or occasion