Asahna Buddha Day

 | Mon 18 Jul 2016 06:19 ICT

CityNews – Asahna Buddha Day, a government holiday to celebrate the first sermon the Buddha made after he joined the monkhood, will begin tomorrow and follow into Buddhist Lent on Wednesday 20th July, where alcohol sales will be prohibited and government offices, schools and other businesses will be closed.

monk meditate

Asahna Buddha Day comes on the first full moon of the eighth lunar month. Buddhists believe it to be the first day that Buddhism was shared with the world via the Buddha who joined monkhood. New monks traditionally begin their monkhood on this day, and spend the three months of Buddhist Lent at the temple learning and developing themselves.

Candle light processions will happen across Chiang Mai, with every major temple hosting their own merit making event. The main temples include Wat Phra Sing, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Lok Molee, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

Alcohol sales will be prohibited from Midnight tonight, with a total ban on sales on both July 19 and 20. Alcohol will be available to purchase again on July 21.