this year's Asarnha Bucha Day falls on July 30, and the following day, July 31, is Buddhist Lent Day. They are public holidays and important religious events Thailand.
NOBLE TRUTHS
Asarnha Bucha falls on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. The day marks Lord Buddha's first sermon given to five of his followers enlightenment in India. lowers after he attained The key Buddhist teaching on that day was about the Four Noble Truths, or ariyasat si, namely, the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of fering, the truth of the cessation of suffering, and the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering. Normally, Asarnha Bucha is celebrated nation- wide by making merit, listening to sermons and join- ing candlelit processions at night.
SACRED MONTHS
The day following Asarnha Bucha Day is Buddhist Lent Day, or Khao Phansa, Phansa in Thai means a period of three months, while khao is to enter into or take part in a particular activity. Starting from this day, Thai monks will avoid unnecessary travel for three consecutive lunar months during the rainy season for fear that they might accidentally step on young plants or tiny animals. In addition, Thai people consider Khao Phansa to be a time for merit-making. Some people try to strictly observe the five precepts during this period. The government usually encour- ages locals to take part in its Ngod Lao Khao Phansa (No Alcohol During Buddhist tent) campaign, since avoiding alcohol is one of the five precepts.