Coastin Carl
πΏ MAKHA BUCHA Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
MAKHA BUCHA Day is celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month by Mekong Delta countries like Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Observers might recite Buddhist scriptures or give alms to the monks on this day. Buddhists avoid many things on MAKHA BUCHA Day including drugs and alcohol.
The Buddhist calendar traditionally used in Thailand and other countries is a lunar one and the third lunar month is known as “βmakha” in Thai.
Buddhist beliefs hold that a gathering between the Buddha and his disciplines becomes a meaningful and historic event. So about nine months after his enlightenment, 1,250 Buddhist Sangha followers suddenly showed up at a bamboo grove called Veluvana in Kajangala, northern India. The Buddha was known to have been staying here. It’s thought that Buddha gave them important teachings like refraining from evil, doing good, and cleansing the mind to gain insight into the true nature of existence and achieve nirvana.
Then 44 years after this gathering, Buddha announced that he would die and achieve nirvana himself within three months on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month. This is known as VISAKHA BUCHA Day and is another public holiday today.
πΉπ HOW to Celebrate & Observe MAKHA BUCHA Day?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do on MAKHA BUCHA Day!
π DON’T eat Animal-derived products
Strict Buddhists don’t eat meat on this day as they’re taught not to harm a living thing.
π VISIT a Temple
Visit the nearest Buddhist temple or monastery near you. There might be one closer than you think. Use this time to reflect on self and the good you need to do in the world with inner rumination.
π READ up
Take this day to catch up on some light Buddhistic reading and maybe learn of some of the fascinating stories around the Buddha’s life.
π RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts with the hashtags #MakhaBuchaDay, #MahkaBucha, #ThaiTraditional, #Thailand, #FaithHolidays, #FebruaryHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you β€οΈ MAKHA BUCHA Day.
FOUR Important Facts you never knew about MAKHA BUCHA Day
- Buddhism consists of three branches: TheravΔda (The School of the Elders), MahΔyΔna (The Great Vehicle) which is more common in China, and VajrayΔna (The Thunderbolt or Diamond Vehicle). Most of Thailand observes TheravΔda Buddhism.
- Siddharta Gautama was the very first Buddha. There have been several Buddhas that came after which is why there are so many different faces of Buddha statues. One of the enduring ones is the gaudy yet jovial Laughing Buddha who’s said to have been a Chinese monk named Chβi-tβzu.
- Buddhism is the 4th largest religion with more than 500 million Buddhists in the world.
- Buddha is referred to as Lord but none of his teachings acknowledge a creator or God. He did talk about many gods and other religious deities. The concept of God as a unique and supreme transcendent being didn’t show up until Jewish scholars came along later.
Future DATES for MAKHA BUCHA Day
| Year | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 6 | Monday |
| 2024 | February 24 | Saturday |
| 2025 | February 13 | Thursday |
| 2026 | March 4 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | February 20 | Saturday |
π―οΈ MΔgha PΕ«jΔ FAQ
What is the PURPOSE of Magha Puja Day?
- Traditionally the day is used to honor the Three Jewels of Buddhism: Buddha and his enlightenment, Sangha the global community of Buddhists, and Dharma which are the teachings of Buddha.
Why is the Buddhist calendar DIFFERENT?
- The Buddhist calendar is based on a lunisolar system, which means it’s key to keep track of both the Moon and the Sun’s movements. The Hindu calendar is also derived from lunisolar.
What is VISAKHA Bucha Day Thailand?
- Visakha Bucha like MΔgha PΕ«jΔ is an important day for Buddhists where it marks Buddha’s birth, eventual enlightenment, and death. This one falls on the full moon of the sixth lunar month and observers make alms and candlelit processions in the monasteries.
The Impπrtance of MAKHA BUCHA Day
In this secular world we live in, it’s hard to take time for the spiritual side of things. This day gives you a pause to do just that β detach yourself from material devotions. If you’re Buddhist or interested in the teachings of Buddha, then this is a time for learning and celebration. Any of the Buddha stories, teachings, or beliefs can be studied during this public holiday. What better way to expand your knowledge of the inner cosmos than on MAKHA BUCHA Day.
