Rains-Entry Day
Rains-Entry Day is an important day in Buddhism.
It's the first day the eighth waning moon.
This year, it starts July 31st.
(หัวเรื่อง อยู่ตรงกลาง): มีรูปพระพุทธเจ้าประกอบด้วยนะ เอาแบบส่องสว่าง มีออร่าอ่ะ
1)Why there is Rains-Entry Day?
In the old times, the monks went on pilgrimages all throughout the cold, hot and rainy seasons. But during the rainy season, the pilgrimage caused the inhabitants to criticize and find faults with all the monks for causing damage to the vegatation and killing so many small animals. That is why the Lord buddha considered the situation and allowed monks to dwell in one place during the rainy season. Thus, Rains-Entry festival has been taken place since then.
2.How did Khao Phansa Candles Making Ceremony take place?
In the past, Monks need to illuminate some light from candles because there was no electricity to use. But small candles could give a small amount of brightness and melt quickly. Therefore, buddhists made lager candles for monks to be used during rainy season.
Some believe that as a result of this custom they become brighter, and smarter-similar to the characteristics of the candlelight. This tradition passed on from generation to generation and it is still present today.
3)How did the custom of the priesthood for 3 months during Lent take place?
Because the teacher-monk would stay in the temple during the Rains-Retreat. Students who wanted to learn with him had to go to the temple. It is customary for a day, that ordained priests during Lent, it is possible.
4)Now, Why did they give the lamp instead of the candle?
Currently, there is electricity to use. So the candles are used less. The offering give the monks. We must consider what the monks receive the greatest benefits more than tradition that offer the candles.The light that come from the candles or the lamps helps facilitating of the monks too.
5)What are mostly the activities on Rains-Retreat Entry Day?
for the monks
-make prayer
-improve his course
-study the Tripitaka, Buddha's teaching divided into three parts, to even more this is the story today.
for the layman
Rains-Retreat is not applied only for the monks, but also for all who get interested in the serious study and practice.Mostly the activities on Wan Khao Phansa (Rains-Retreat Entry Day) are almost the same as those on any other Buddhist holy days. Those activities can be concluded that;
- Offering foods to the monks and novices.
- Listening to the Dhamma preaching.
- Observing the Five Precepts or the Eight Precepts (depending on which ones
they observe).
- Practicing Meditation.
- presenting candles and saffron robes to monks.