Thai Buddhist Celebrations

Thai high school students dressed in traditional costume, yesterday led a procession to their local Buddhist temple to offer a large candle they had made for the forthcoming Buddhist rains retreat which begins on the 8th July 2009.
Many students throughout the country perform this annual ceremony which celebrates two important Buddhist holy days: Asalha Puja day on the 7th July, significant in that this was the day on which the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon or teaching, and Khao Phansa on 8th July when all monks begin their rains retreat for approximately 3 months. During this time monks elect to stay at one temple rather than wandering from place to place.