วันเข้าพรรษา(Khao Phansa Day) marks the beginning of the Buddhist lent, as annual three months disciplinary practice for Buddhist monks. Buddha had specified that during the three months of the raining season, monks should stop traveling and avoid the dangers of traveling during the rainy season by staying fixed in one temple. The Buddhist lent is observed by monks from the eighth lunar month to the eleventh lunar month. This is considered a sacred period of time for spiritual practice, a time to devote oneself more earnestly to the cultivation of mindfulness and compassion.
Khao Phansa Day is on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, and marks the beginning of the three-month Buddhist ‘lent’ period. The tradition of Buddhist Lent or the annual three-month rains retreat known in Thai as “Phansa”. Khao Phansa means to remain in one place during the rainy season. Phansa represents a time of renewed spiritual vigor and Khao Phansa festival is a major Buddhism merit-making festival.