Asahna Bucha: Buddhist festival and public holiday in Thailand

Asahna Bucha (Thai: อาสาฬหบูชา) is a Buddhist festival usually held in July, on the full moon of the month of Āsādha.

Date of the next Asahna Bucha

The next Asahna Bucha will take place on 20 or 21 July 2024 (date to be confirmed) in Thailand.

History of Asahna Bucha

Asahna Bucha, also known as Dhamma Day, is one of the most important festivals in the Theravada Buddhismcelebrating the first sermon of the Buddha in which he explained to his five former disciples the doctrine that had come to him after his enlightenment.

This first pivotal sermon, often called "setting the wheel of Dhamma in motion", is the teaching that is summarised for Buddhists in the Four Noble Truths.

The Four Noble Truths

1. there is suffering (dukkha);
2. suffering is caused by desire (tanha);
3. there is a state (nibbana) beyond suffering and desire;
4. the path to nirvana is through the threefold path.

All the different schools and traditions of Buddhism revolve around the central doctrine of the four noble truths.

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 related his understanding of what had been said and asked to be received as a disciple, a request which the Buddha granted, thus establishing the first order of monks.

The day is observed by offering offerings at temples and listening to sermons.

The next day is known in Thailand as Wan (day) Khao Phansa (วันเข้าพรรษา); this is the first day of the vassa, the rainy season retreat.

Source: Wikipedia