Āsāḷha Pūjā is a Theravada Buddhist festival which typically takes place in July, on the full moon of the Asadha month. It is celebrated in Indonesia, Cambodia (), Thailand (), Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar (, ) and in other countries with Theravada Buddhist populations. In Indonesia, the festival is centered at Mendut Temple and Borobudur Temple, Central Java.
This first sermon is not only the first structured discourse given by the Buddha after his enlightenment, it also contains the essence of all his subsequent teaching. At the end of the talk, one of the five participants recounted his understanding of what had been said and asked to be received as a disciple, a request the Buddha granted, thus establishing the first order of monks.
The day is observed by donating offerings to wat and listening to Dharma talk. The following day is known in Thailand as Wan Khao Phansa; it is the first day of Vassa, the Theravada rains retreat.
|
|