Asalha Puja 2017
July 8, 2017 in the World
On July 08, 2017, the full moon of the eighth month of the lunisolar calendar the Buddhists commit Asalha Puja. The day is also known as Dhamma Day or Asanha Bucha. Due to the Gregorian solar calendar the date varies from year to year. The celebrations commemorate Buddha's first sermon after his enlightenment on Vesak. In this sermon Buddha addressed the fundamental ideas of Buddhism, the four truths: the suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering and the truth of the way to the end of suffering. It is one of the most important holidays for the Theravada Buddhists.
On Asalha Puja traditionally alms are given to the monks. These spend the holiday especially by reciting the eight rules of Buddhism, which include e.g. the following: not to harm any living being, not to take anything without asking, not to have sexual contact and to tell the truth. Furthermore the monks deliver sermons throughout the holiday and conduct meditations. After dark, they lead a candlelight procession around the temple, which is circled three times, one time for each jewel of Buddhism: Buddha, Sangha, the monastic community, and Buddha's teaching Dharma.