Thailand observes Magha Puja Buddah holiday

14 Feb 2014 is Magha Puja day!

here in Thailand it is strictly observed. There will be no legal sales of alcohol and very few bars will open quietly under the radar. If anyone is wondering what this day is about, check out the info i pulled from Wikipedia.

 
Māgha Pūjā day marks the four auspicious occasions, which happened nine months after the Enlightenment of the Buddha at Veḷuvana Bamboo Grove, near Rājagaha in Northern India. On that occasion, as recorded in the commentary to the Mahāsamayasutta, DN-Comm 20) four marvellous events occurred:

1. 1,250 disciples came to see the Buddha that evening without being summoned.
2. All of them were Arhantas, Enlightened Ones, and all were ordained by the Buddha himself.
3. The Buddha gave those Arhantas the principles of Buddhism, called "The ovadhapatimokha". Those principles are: - To cease from all evil,- To do what is good,- To cleanse one's mind;
4. It was the full-moon day.

The Buddha gave an important teaching to the assembled monks on that day 2,500 years ago called the 'Ovādapātimokha'^[1] which laid down the principles of the Buddhist teachings. In Thailand, this teaching has been dubbed the 'Heart of Buddhism'.

Thailands Observance:

1. In the evening of Magha full-moon day, each temple in Thailand holds a candlelight procession called a wian thian (wian meaning to circle around; thian meaning candle). Holding flowers, incense and a lighted candle, the monks and congregation members circumambulate clockwise three times around the phra ubosot (ordination hall) - once for each of the Three Jewels – the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
2. tham bun: Making merit by going to temples for special observances and join in the other Buddhist activities.
3. rap sin': Keeping the Five Precepts. Practise of renunciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practise of meditation and mental discipline, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days.