Buddha's Day of Enlightenment is an important holiday for all who practice Buddhism. Traditionally, the celebration falls on the full moon of the eighth month. In 2012, it was held on the second of August and was celebrated on a grand scale.
After attaining enlightenment, Buddha told his disciples the Noble Truths, after which he left for Nirvana. The words he spoke had tremendous power and meaning. According to legends, this day is considered the day when the religion of Buddhism was founded. And today people honor the founder of religion, which is the support in life for millions of believers.
On the eve of the celebration, monks decorate Buddhist temples. A traditional part of the festive decoration is paper lanterns on a wooden frame. On the day of the holiday, they are lit at nightfall. With their light, they symbolize the enlightenment that Buddha brought to people. Oil lamps are installed on the territory of the temple, and monks all night tell the audience stories about the life of the Buddha and his disciples. On the eve of the holiday, believers send their loved ones postcards depicting various deeds of the saint.
The festive day begins with the fact that Buddhists go to the temples, offering the monks various foods and basic necessities. At the same time, the conversion of novices to novices and monks takes place. All rituals are conducted under the guidance of experienced mentors. Parishioners chant sacred mantras and meditate on their deep meaning.
During the celebration, there is a ban on any agricultural activity. During Buddha's Day of Enlightenment, Thai believers should not be harmed by any sentient being, intentionally or accidentally.
Immediately after the holiday, the Great Buddhist Lent begins, which will last until the end of October - by this time the harvest will ripen in the fields. At this time, monks are forbidden to change temples. This ban was introduced due to the peculiarities of the climate in Thailand. During this period, the roads are often so eroded that they become simply unsuitable for movement.
