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The Boun Khao Phansa Festival is currently underway in Laos, which marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, a three-month season of monastic meditation and reflection. Following Boun Khao Phansa, the Lao people will celebrate Boun Ok Phansa, marking the end of Buddhist Lent and bringing in a period of festivity.
Boun Khao Phansa marks the start of the three-month rainy season retreat for monks, known as Buddhist Lent. This period begins on the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, which often occurs in July or August, according to the lunar calendar.
Boun Khao Phansa (Cre: Rove.me)
In Lao, "Khao Phansa" means "entering the rainy season." During this time, monks and novices stay at their temples and avoid spending the night outside, unless there is an emergency. This practice started with the Buddha, who forbade monks from traveling during the rainy season to protect rice fields and plants.
Monks use this time for meditation and study, while lay people focus on merit-making and maintaining the monastic community. The gathering promotes the values of spiritual discipline, community, and solidarity.
The day before Boun Khao Phansa is Asalha Puja Day. It celebrates the Buddha's first sermon, "Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion." This lecture, given to his first five students, included Buddhism's essential teachings, such as the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path. Asalha Puja is celebrated with merit-making activities, preaching, and candlelight processions.
Buddha’s first sermon illustration (Cre: Mahason Magazine)
During Boun Khao Phansa, Buddhists gather in temples to give alms, hear sermons, and participate in other merit-making activities. This season is defined by spiritual activity, with monks devoting extra time to meditation and laypeople giving charitable donations and supporting the monastic community.
People gather in temples during Boun Khao Phansa (Cre: Media Laos)
Monks are not permitted to leave or spend the night anywhere else, unless in an emergency, and even then, they must not be absent more than seven nights. The Buddha set this regulation to keep monks from traveling during the rainy season, which may destroy fields and vegetation.
This is also the season for temporary ordinations. Young men enter the monastic life to receive spiritual training and obtain merit for themselves and their parents. Monks are seen as men with purity and happiness and will lead their parents into paradise. As a result, many young men prefer to become monks during this season, where they shadow experienced monks.
Traditions and customs vary among locations. For example, in certain communities, boys volunteer to stay at the temple to learn Dhamma, chant with the monks, and help with temple tasks like cleaning the monastery area, washing dishes, and serving the monks.
Alms-giving during Boun Khao Phansa (Cre: Viet-Laos magazine)
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Following the three-month period of Buddhist Lent, Boun Ok Phansa celebrates the Buddha's return from heaven and the end of the monastic seclusion. This event marks the completion of the monks' hard practice and their return to normal activities.
On the first day of Boun Ok Phansa, Buddhists gather at temples around Laos to give offerings. This day is full of religious rites.
The Tak Bat Ceremony, which takes place in the morning, is an offering ceremony where devotees present food and other essentials to the monks.
Then in the afternoon, they celebrate Ok Phansa, involving monks and laypeople summarizing their activities and achievements during the past three months.
The nightly candlelight procession is one of Boun Ok Phansa's most beautiful rituals. Hundreds of colorful rafts made of banana or coconut leaves and decorated with flowers, incense, and candles sail down the Mekong River. Families create these little boats, known as "heua fai," to thank the river gods and ward against diseases and bad luck.
Candle procession ceremony during Boun Ok Phansa (Cre: Asian Tales)
People light candles, pray, and release lantern boats along the Mekong River's banks to honor the river god, who is hailed as the mother of all things. This ceremony represents the end of worries and the beginning of prosperity and joy.
People releasing lanterns boat during Boun Ok Phansa (Cre: Asian Tales)
Boun Ok Phansa is a time of rejuvenation and festivity. Monks may now freely leave the temple to teach elsewhere, and Buddhists can resume activities like marriage, building houses, and businesses. Lao people think that the celebration represents a fresh beginning, with all worries cast aside, allowing everyone to start over with pleasure and luck.
The significance of Boun Ok Phansa (Cre: Discover Laos Today)
Visiting Laos during one of these festivals offers a unique and immersive experience of the country’s spiritual and cultural traditions. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit during this period:
Visiting Laos during Boun Khao Phansa and Boun Ok Phansa (Cre: On The Road Now)
The Boun Khao Phansa and Boun Ok Phansa festivals represent the spiritual and cultural essence of Laos. These festivals commemorate major periods in the Buddhist calendar, as well as bring communities together. If you want to witness the daily lives of Lao Buddhists during Boun Khao Phansa, contact Asia King Travel now to start your journey to Laos.
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