Yesterday marked the end of Buddhist Lent or "Vassa". Three lunar months have now passed since the first day of Buddhist lent which is called "Khao Phansa".
Traditionally the lent period was a time of retreat for all monks. Monks would stay in their temples and not travel in the mornings to receive the gift of food from lay folk.
Hiding away in their temples over the rainy season, the monks traditionally retreated in order to prevent them from treading on and harming fledgling crops during that period.
For many the retreat period has now become a Buddhist lent where individuals decide to give up alcohol or cigarettes or meat.
Although this was not the original purpose of this particular religious season, abstinence has become a significant part of this time.
Ending after three lunar months, Vassa's final day is called Pavarana. Monks offer confessions on Pavarana day as to any indiscretions they may have committed during the Vassa period.
Following Pavarana we enter into a Kathina ceremony month. During the Kathina ceremony month, temples have that lunar month in which to hold the Kathina ceremony.
Involving giving robes and clothes to monks, the kathina ceremony posses a profound religious and historical significance.
As great legend has it, just before the beginning of Vassa, thirty Bhikkhu (Buddhist monks) were traveling to see the Buddha.
They however did not make the journey in time.
Consequently they were forced to reside in a temple away from the Buddha for the next three lunar months.
Subsequent to Vassa, the monks eventually arrived to see the Buddha.
Upon seeing the rather ragged state of the traveling Bhikkhu, the Bhudda provided the monks with fresh material for clothes and some sustenance.
The Kathina ceremony was then born. As a re-enactment of this act of generosity, Buddhists, during a Kathina ceremony, provide monks with fresh clean material for robes. Food and water is also given.
In temples all accross Thailand, the Kathina ceremony will occur sometime within the next lunar month.
So there you have it. The end of Vassa is marked firstly by a day of confession by the monks.
Secondly, rooted in deep religious legend, a Kathina ceromony involving the giving of clothes, food and water to monks is the final act of the season.
Kathina Ceremony
More Fun Facts And Extra Info
- Buddhist lent or more correctly “Vassa” predates Christian lent by five and a half centuries. It's first day is called Khao Phansa.
- Vassa – is not actually a lent. It’s the retreat of monks to their temples for three lunar months during the rainy season. During this time some lay people do decide to give up alcohol or cigarettes or meat. But this is not the original purpose of the event.
- For monks not to harm growing crops on their usual travels to get fed in the mornings is the original reason for the retreat.
- In days past monks would have been given candles to provide them with light during their three month retreat. Hence the candle festival at the beginning of Vassa.
- Khao Phansa day is the day after Asanha Bucha, the day where Buddha gave his very first sermon, disclosing his discoveries, right after his enlightenment.
- The last day of vassa is Pavarana day, where monks give confessions.
- After Vassa ends, temples have one lunar month to perform a Kathina ceremony.
- The Kathina ceremony is a re-enactment of an act of kindness by the Buddha to traveling monks.