The Thai word phansa refers to a period of three months in the rainy season during which time Buddhist monks are obliged to stay at one particular temple. They are not allowed to stay overnight at other temples during this time. The reason that monks have to stay at one temple is because this period of time is the rice-planting season and the farmers’ crops are a verdant green. If monks are out travelling during this period, they may inadvertently step on the rice sprouts that have been planted, resulting in the loss of crops. The Lord Buddha therefore ordained that monks should stop their pilgrimages for a period of three months during the rainy season and that they must not stay overnight in a place other than their chosen temple. (Khao phansa means ‘rain retreat’ or ‘Buddhist Lent’.) Khao phansa has taken place since the time of the Lord Buddha.
Khao Phansa Day is the first day of the waning moon of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, or during the month of July and extends for a period of three months until Ork Phansa Day which is the end of the period of time. Ork Phansa Day falls on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eleventh month of the lunar calendar, or during the month of October. (Note: The Thai calendar originally began in our month of December. Therefore, the eighth month is July and the eleventh month is October.) When monks stop their travels during the Buddhist Lent period, they have time to study, and they especially like to read. The best time for reading and memorising is during the night, which is a peaceful, quiet time during which it is easy to concentrate. In the past, when there was no electricity, monks used to light candles during the time that they were reading. When villagers knew this, they made candles to present to the monks, especially for presentation on Khao Phansa Day, a day on which they would receive even more merit than usual. Merit in this case means that the lives of those who present candles will be happy, healthy, enlightened and not gloomy. In other words, they will be people with wisdom, knowledge and perception, which is equivalent to the English word ‘bright’. The presentation of candles to monks on Khao Phansa Day is a Buddhist tradition which began in ancient times and still continues at present. However, present-day villagers tend to present electric light bulbs or fluorescent tubes as they are brighter than candles, are easier to use, and more convenient, and they still receive the same amount of merit!