Asalha Puja
Āsāḷha Pūjā | |
---|---|
Also called | Dhamma Day Dharma Day Asadha Puja Asanha Bucha (in Thailand) Esala Poya (in Sri Lanka) Dhammasekya Boonsang Day (in Burma) |
Observed by | Theravada Buddhists, especially Cambodians, Lao, Burmese, Sri Lankans and Thais |
Type | Buddhist |
Date | Full moon day of the lunar month Āsādha |
Related to | Esala Mangallaya and Kandy Esala Perahera, which are held as part of Asalha Puja celebrations in Sri Lanka Chokor Duchen Festival (in Tibet) Drukpa Tshe Zhi (in Bhutan) |
Part of a series on |
Buddhism |
---|
Āsāḷha Pūjā
Asalha Puja, also known as Dharma Day, is one of Theravada Buddhism's most important festivals, celebrating as it does the Buddha's first sermon, the
This first sermon is not only the first structured discourse given by the Buddha after his enlightenment, it also contains the essence of all his subsequent teaching. At the end of the talk, one of the five participants recounted his understanding of what had been said and asked to be received as a disciple, a request the Buddha granted, thus establishing the first order of monks.[5]
The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons. The following day is known in Thailand as Wan Khao Phansa; it is the first day of Vassa, the Theravada rains retreat.
See also
- Kandy Esala Perahera
- Māgha Pūjā
- Pavarana
- Thadingyut Festival
- Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival
- Uposatha
- Visakha Puja
- Wan Ok Phansa
References
- ^ Tse, Jasmine (26 July 2021). "Thai temple lights 350,000 candles forming Buddhist images to ease anxiety amid Covid-19 pandemic". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- Oxfordreference.com. Archivedfrom the original on 11 April 2023.
- ^ admin (24 July 2021). "Asalha Puja - July 5". National Today. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Asalha Puja: All you want to know about the Buddhist festival". Hindustan Times. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Lesley, Alison (14 July 2014). "Everything You Need to Know About Buddhist Asalha Puja Day". World Religion News. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
External links
- Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - The Buddha's first discourse
- Wan Asana Bucha and Wan Khao Pansa in Thailand
- Asalha Puja - The Beginning of Buddhism