Phuttha Utthayan Makha Bucha Anusorn (Nakhon Nayok) Part 1 of 2

We took a break to Nakhon Nayok and came upon this wonderful place - Phuttha Utthayan Makha Bucha Anusorn. It is what they call here a Buddhist Memorial park and it it set in Makha Bucha Park.

This was a beautiful Buddhist site that we came upon. 

I read that it is actually a tribute to the special Makha Bucha event. Makha Bucha Day, also called Magha Puja Day or Sangha Day, is viewed as one of the most essential Buddhist festivals. This auspicious event refers to the worship that takes place on the full moon of the third lunar month (about the last weeks of February or early March) to celebrate the day on which Lord Buddha recounted the “Ovada Patimokkha” (the Important Teaching) to his devotees.

The place is a tribute to the revered Makha Bucha event in the Buddhist Calendar, when 1,250 disciples came to see the Buddha without being summoned. This is spectacularly represented here by the large gold Buddha surrounded by the symmetrically placed smaller gold statues of the disciples.

And goodness knows how many Buddhist statues there are in this park!!

But please be aware that there are people in Thailand who do not like the location being used like a tourist attraction - please show respect.

 

    

Phuket - Makha Bucha Day

Wat Chalong was were we went to celebrate Makha Bucha Day.

"The Buddhist holiday of Sangha Day is called Makha Bucha Day in Thailand. It is observed in Thailand on the full moon of the third lunar month, which is usually the end of February or early March. In most other parts of Asia, Buddhist observe Sangha Day about a month later.
Sangha Day commemorates a day when 1,250 monks, all from different places and on their on initiative, spontaneously came to pay homage to the historical Buddha.
In Pali, Makha is the name of the third lunar month, and Bucha means "to venerate." On this day, Thai Buddhists gather at sunset in their local temples to participate in candlelight processions called Wian Tian. Ceremonies express appreciation for the order of monks founded by the Buddha and for the Three Jewels -- the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha."
This text is from About.com - Buddhism.

It was surprisingly busy and I can't remember how many times  we had been but I can't remember when the flames ignited!

Always something to do...

Previous Visits to Wat Chalong

 1) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2015 
 2) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2014 
 3) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2013 
 2) Wat Chalong Temple Fair 2012 
 3) Wat Chalong 2012
 4) Wat Chalong 2009 

Previous Makha Bucha

 1) Wednesday 4th of March - Wat Vichit Sangkaram

Makha Bucha Day - Wed 4 March

Makha Bucha Day is a special day when the Buddhist Temple is visited by people to pay respect.

"The Buddhist holiday of Sangha Day is called Makha Bucha Day in Thailand. It is observed in Thailand on the full moon of the third lunar month, which is usually the end of February or early March. In most other parts of Asia, Buddhist observe Sangha Day about a month later.

Sangha Day commemorates a day when 1,250 monks, all from different places and on their on initiative, spontaneously came to pay homage to the historical Buddha.

In Pali, Makha is the name of the third lunar month, and Bucha means "to venerate." On this day, Thai Buddhists gather at sunset in their local temples to participate in candlelight processions called Wian Tian. Ceremonies express appreciation for the order of monks founded by the Buddha and for the Three Jewels -- the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha."

This text is from About.com - Buddhism.

It is on a different year every year because it is governed by the phases of the moon - this 2012.

We visited Wat Vichit Sangkaram. We visited the temple early in the evening at approximately 8pm and it was already very busy - no space to park a car!

We walked up the steps with the fabulous staircase of a dragon with a number of heads.

We each purchased a collection of flowers, joss stick and candle.

On reaching the Wat it was clear that we were not early! The monks were already in the ceremony and everybody who could not fit in was standing outside. Every so often the group outside would recite some of the words spoken by the monk - there were so many people that the monk inside had a microphone and there were speakers set up outside.

 

After the initial words were shared the monks came out and then proceeded to walk around the Wat three time whilst holding candles (managing to keep them alight - think I might have a plastic cover next time).

Everybody else followed them and recited what was said inside - photographs are from the iPhone backwards. I am under the impression that the walking is to pay respects to the Wat.

Lovely - felt a little relieved...

Makha Buccha Day - March 7

"The Buddhist holiday of Sangha Day is called Makha Bucha Day in Thailand. It is observed in Thailand on the full moon of the third lunar month, which is usually the end of February or early March. In most other parts of Asia, Buddhist observe Sangha Day about a month later.


Sangha Day commemorates a day when 1,250 monks, all from different places and on their on initiative, spontaneously came to pay homage to the historical Buddha.


In Pali, Makha is the name of the third lunar month, and Bucha means "to venerate." On this day, Thai Buddhists gather at sunset in their local temples to participate in candlelight processions called Wian Tian. Ceremonies express appreciation for the order of monks founded by the Buddha and for the Three Jewels -- the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha."


This text is from About.com - Buddhism.

Makha Bucha Day

Makha Bucha day is an important day and I forgot all about it!!

It falls on the full mood day of the 3rd Lunar month - February?

This day is to venerate the Buddah and his teachings - 

merit making and it was also a public holiday

         

Makha Bucha Day - 18th February

We did visit a temple for this special festival - "the date varies depending on the lunar cycle. 
Makha Bucha commemorates the unique event when 1,250 of the Lord Buddha’s disciples spontaneously gathered to hear him preach.

In the morning many Thai people were up early to make merit by giving alms to monks (tam-bun). 

This evening, many temples have been busy with people listening to sermons and performing the candle ceremony known as wian tian (wian=circle; tian=candle) Holding flowers, incense and a lighted candle, Buddhists walk clockwise around the main bot of the temple. This is done three times."

It is also referred to as the Buddhist Day of Love.

Phuttha Utthayan Makha Bucha Anusorn (Nakhon Nayok) Part 2 of 2

This is a very impressive modern Buddhist site a few Kilometres before Sarika Waterfall. 

It is a tribute to the revered Makha Bucha event in the Buddhist Calendar, when 1,250 disciples came to see the Buddha without being summoned. 

This is spectacularly represented here by the large gold Buddha surrounded by the symmetrically placed smaller gold statues of the disciples.

This was our trip to Nakhon Nayok. 

   

Phatthalung - Day 1

We arrived in Hua Hin and drove to Phatthalung arriving late 

we stopped at the roadside local restaurant - ร้านเจ๊น้อย สาขา2.

We chose then to stay at the Sitthinard Grandview Hotel. 

There was a lovely view.

It was Makha Bucha Day so we visited a temple early in the morning to pay respect.

Then out for breakfast - some local Dim Sum at ขนมจีบศิริชัย - it was delicious.

Then we visited the local market at the Mueang Phatthalung Circle

then the bird singing competitions.

The next visit was Thalae Noi Viewpoint

with a temple and a wonderful view.

Then leaving we here we came across Thalenoi Floating Market - translated into a pond full of water?

Had a nice drink there...

This was transformed when we visited Thalae Noi: Lake and Scenic Lookout.

Which was really quite beautiful and full of tourists from Thailand - a place definitely worth stopping.

As we left the area we crossed bridges where there were suspended fishing nets.

  Then we visited Sampaothai - where there was a gorilla pulling a ship in a rice field...

We had a walk around.

Then we had a bite to eat.

We then went for a drive - crossing the very long Phansa Bridge

where we saw the abandoned spooky house...

and wondered whether we would take an early boat the next day?

Then off to find a cafe - beautifully set 

next to a road and in a rice field

with a beautiful back drop - nice food as well. Then back to the Sitthinard Grandview Hotel.