Khao Phansa

Posted by Sukhumwit Steve on April 1st, 2010 filed in Culture shock, Temples

Those who arrive in Bangkok in October and wander by schools will probably notice children busily decorating pick up trucks with pink silk and ribbons. Tables on the back hold enormous, intricately decorated bees’ wax candles.

These are the preparations for the ceremony to mark to start of Khao Phansa, or Buddhist Lent. The children will visit various temples in the area and present the monks with gifts. The candles are a tradition originating in the days before electricity, when candles were an essential source of heat and light.

The monks bless the candles the previous day in a special ceremony at the school. Once everything is ready, everyone heads to the temple and the children circle the wat, playing music and dancing, moving their hands in the traditional minimalist style in time to the music. Many of the students are carry baskets of gifts, which contain candles, flowers, incense and everyday items such as toothpaste and soap.

The tradition of the three-month rains retreat or Phansa dates back to the days of early Buddhism in India. Then, all holy men spent the three-month rainy season in a permanent abode, foregoing their usually wandering around the country. They avoided unnecessary travel during this period for fear that they might trample young plants and ruin the farmers’ crop. Thai people follow this tradition because Lord Buddha decreed that his followers should adhere to this custom.

Buddhist Lent is a time for spiritual renewal, merit making and meditation. During this time, monks must stay in a fixed location and rely on the gifts and alms presented to them by the local people, whose responsibility it is to care for them.

Offerings can be almost anything, but savoury dishes and sweets are traditional items that provide light such as candles, lanterns and lamp oil are seen as particularly auspicious offerings as they are believed to provide the monks with both physical and spiritual illumination. The candles are often more than six feet high and ten inches in diametre.

Many young men enter the monk hood during Phansa, either for a short period or permanently. During the three months, no monk may disrobe and leave the monk hood. Phansa is considered so important in Thailand that all male government officials and members of the armed forces are allowed three months’ leave on full pay once in their lifetime, in order to spend at least one Phansa as a monk. Buddhist monks teach the young boys Buddhist Doctrine, as well as preaching to the villagers who visit them.

During Buddhist lent, Thai people refrain from bad habits such as drinking alcohol, smoking and leading an inappropriate life. Many Thai people make resolutions to reform and renew their life during the rains retreat, in much the same way as Western people do at New Year.