One of the most important days on the Buddhist calendar, Makha Bucha day, falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month of the year.
That happens to be tomorrow, Wednesday 4th of March.
"Makha" is the name for the third month of the lunar year and "Bucha" means to honour or venerate.
So "Makha Bucha" day means the day of the third lunar month on which to honour Buddha.
Spirituality and purity of thought are the main ideas of the day. The reason being that 2500 years ago, 1250 disciples of Buddha came unannounced to see him.
However, what made this occasion particularly special is that all of those disciples were already enlightened. They had reached what Buddha called nirvana.
All this just ten months after Buddha himself had first reached enlightenment and given his initial sermon.
Many Monks Gathered For Mahka Bucha Day
Seeing that these individuals were perfect to help wirth his cause, Buddha, gave these enlightened individuals the "heart of Buddhism" or the The "ovadapatimokha".
These principles are:
1. Refrain from committing all kind of wickedness
2. Be good and do good
3. Purify the mind
Further adding significance to the occasion was the full moon on that day.
2,500 years on from the historical event, each year Buddhists in many countries still pay respect. In the evening people gather at temples and circle the inner temple walls three times while holding a lit candle with flowers, and saying prayers.
