Buddhist Lent observance (Photo: Thiti Wannamontha)
Starting next Thursday, the Candle Festival in Ubon Ratchathani will be launched to mark Khao Phansa Day, or the first day of the annual Buddhist Lent, which this year falls on July 25 and lasts three months.
Khao Phansa falls a day after Asanha Bucha or Dhamma Day. It was the day that Buddha gave his first teaching after enlightenment to his five followers more than 2,500 years ago. Asanha Bucha Day falls on the Full Moon day of the eighth lunar month, which is July 24 this year.
During Khao Phansa, monks are prohibited from travelling and staying overnight outside their temples so they concentrate more on studying dhamma and practising meditation.