Coming at the Full Moon of DEcember

Coming at the Full Moon of DEcember starts a new cycle in the Buddhist Calendar in Thailand, but most particularly in Isaan.
Duan ai bun khao kam (gum) (first lunar month : making merit by doing penance) Monks committing minor sins during the past year by breaking Rules of the Monastic Order have to do penance by staying in small huts. They must do good, strictly keep precepts, and keep the monastery clean and tidy for at least six nights. After being forgiven by their senior monks, they will be regarded innocent again. Lay people make merit by giving offerings to monks, doing penance, listening to preachings, contemplating, and meditating. forgiven by their senior monks, they will be regarded innocent again. Lay people make merit by giving. Boon Khao Gum (kam)is celebrated in the first month or Duan Ai (December). It is also the start of harvest period where farmers and friends will help each other harvest rice crops, make fermented fish and start their storage of food for the coming year. Thanks again to Mahasarakham University for their help.