Buddhist Lent day | 
วันเข้าพรรษา
วันเข้าพรรษาThe commencement of the three-month Buddhist Lent, Known among Thais as kâo pan sǎa, traditionally falls on the first day of the waxing moon of the eighth lunar month. During this period, coinciding with the rainy season, Buddhist monks and novices remain closeted in their particular monasteries, discouraged from spending nights elsewhere.
The custom of spending three months of the rainy season in a fixed place is a ritual successfully observed since the time of the Lord Buddha. In those day, however, villagers attributed young seedling damage at the start of the planting season to unnecessary travel by monks. Realizing that monks on pilgrimages could accidentally tread on young plants, the Lord Buddha decreed that his followers spend three months of the rainy season in permanent dwellings.
In cases of necessity, such as taking care of sick monks or parents or conducting religious functions, monks may travel and stay away from their monasteries during this period. However, they are required to return within seven days.
To observe Buddhist Lent, Buddhists usually perform merit making, giving alms to monks, attending sermons and participating in candlelight processions, They also strictly observe Buddhist ethics, especially on holy days.
During the three-month annul “rain retreat,” monks study more and teach those who have chosen this period to enter monkhood. Laymen usually visit temples to offer monks food, clothing, medicine, flower, joss sticks, Lenten candles and other offerings. Such practices they consider highly meritorious.
Buddhists believe that offering candles to monks as a means of light will also brighten up their future. These candles are known as Thian Phansa. To make the Buddhist Lent, a Candle Festival takes place across the whole of Thailand. The Candle Festival is especially celebrated in the northeastern region and Ubon Ratchathani Province has a famous Buddhist Lenten Candle Procession every year. The Candle Festival takes place on a truly grand scale with massive floats made of intricate carved wax candles.
Thai Vocabulary
- วัน /wan/ = day
- วันเข้าพรรษา /wan-kâo-pan-săa/ = Buddhist Lent Day
- สามเดือน /săam-dᵾan/ = three months
- ฤดูฝน /rᵾ́-duu-fǒn/ = rainy season
- พระ /prá/ = monk
- เณร /neen/ = novice monk
- จำวัด /jam-wát/ = to stay (use with monk only)
- การเพาะปลูก /gaan-pɔ́-blùuk/ = planting
- ฤดูเพาะปลูก /rᵾ́-duu pɔ́-blùuk/ = planting season
ชาวบ้าน /chaao-bâan/ = villager- กุฏิ /gú-dtiˋ/ = monk’s dwelling
- กลับ /glàp/ = to return
- ภายใน /paai-nai/ = within
- ทำบุญ /tam-bun/ = to make a merit
- ทำโรงทาน /tam-roong-taan = to give an alms
- ฟังเทศน์ /fang-têet / = attending sermons
- เทียน /tian/ = candle
- วันพระ /wan-prá/ = holy day
- โดยเฉพาะ /dooi-chà-pɔ́/ = especially
- บวช /bùat/ = to become a monkhood
- ฆราวาส /ká-raa-wâat/ = Layman
- ถวายภัตตาหาร /tà-wǎai pát-dtaa-hǎan/ = give offering food
- เฃื่อว่า/เชื่อ /chᵾ̂a-(wâa) = to believe
- อนาคต /à-naa-kót/ = future
- ส่องสว่าง /sɔ̀ɔng-sà-wàang/ = to brighten up
- เทียนพรรษา /tian pan-săa/ = Buddhist Lent candle
- เทศกาลแห่เทียนพรรษา /têet-sà-gaan hɛ̀ɛ-tian pan-sǎa/ = Candle Festival
- แห่เทียนพรรษา / hɛ̀ɛ-tian pan-sǎa/ = Buddhist Lenten Candle Procession
ชาวบ้าน /chaao-bâan/ = villagerDuring the time of these festivals alcohol is not sold. The Thai government also recommend that this the 3 month period is a good period for non monks also to not drink alcohol.
By Prae
Thai Language Teacher
