Asalha Puja

Āsāḷha Pūjā

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Festival held in Theravāda countries to commemorate the Buddha's first sermon in the Deer Park. The festival takes its name from the fact that the sermon was thought to have been delivered on the full moon night of the month of Āsāḷha. In Sri Lanka the festival is known as the Esala Perahera.

Asalha Puja

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Asalha Puja (known as Asanha Puja or Asana Bucha in Thailand, Thai: วันอาสาฬหบูชา wan-aa-san-ha-boo-chaa) is a Theravada Buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. In Thailand, Asalha Puja is a government holiday and the sale of alcohol is prohibited.

The sermon in the Deer Park as depicted at Wat Chedi Liem, Thailand

The day is observed by donating offerings to temples and listening to sermons. The following day is known in Thailand as Thai: วันเข้าพรรษา Wan Kao Pansa; it is the first day of Thai: พรรษา vassa, the Theravada rains retreat.

External links

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta - The Buddha's first discourse
When is Asalha Puja?
Wan Asana Bucha and Wan Khao Pansa in Thailand

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