Magha Puja 2017

Magha Puja is celebrated on the first full moon of the third month of the lunar calendar. In 2017 this holiday takes place on February 11. The day is also known as Makha Bucha or Full Moon of Tabodwe. Due to the Gregorian solar calendar the date varies from year to year. This day is celebrated by Theravada Buddhists of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, commemorating the gathering of 1,250 monks in honor of Buddha. The remarkable thing about this gathering was that the monks were enlightened, so called Arhats and all ordained personally by Buddha. The meeting in this full moon night took place spontaneously without prior collusion to honor Buddha.

The celebrations to Magha Puja today still are observed with meetings of creditors Buddhists. The spiritual goal of this day is to not commit sins, only to do well and to purify ones spirit. In Thailand people get up early this day, to distribute alms to the monks. In the evening it is customary to visit the temple, which is decorated with lights and oil lamps. After dark, the faithful walk three times around the temple to remember the three jewels of Buddhism: Buddha, Sangha, the monastic community, and Buddha's teaching Dharma.