July - Candle Festival

In July, the Thai people celebrate the candle festival. Coincidentally, while I was in Wat Jet Yod, I saw a bunch of junior and senior students queuing up with their teachers holding a yellow plate which I realized it's a flat piece of candle. They are using the tooth pick to write on the surface of the candle. They must be writing dedication of merits or some sort. Then they pour oil (which i presume) to a funnel. Too bad, I can't speak fluent Thai thus I can't really comprehend the meaning behind the festival but with some research...

During July there are two important Buddhist holidays. First, it is Asaha Bucha Day. "Asaha" means the eighth lunar month and Asaha Bucha means the ceremony in the eighth lunar month. On the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon and one of his followers became the first Buddhist monk.

The following day is known as Khao Phansa which literally translates as "the day of entering Lent". The Thai authorities call this three month period "Buddhist Lent" because many lay people choose to be strict about keeping the precepts and even refrain from eating meat. Monks are not allowed to leave their temple during this period which coincides with the rainy season. They are not even allowed to disrobe until it finishes in October.

So much about the Thai culture...