Buddhist Lent: a time of reflection and morality

Thunder, lightning, low dark clouds and torrential rain are now common  across the country, making it difficult for people to go about their daily life and to get from place to place as normal.
This is the time when everyone, monks and laypeople, share in the Boun Khao Phansa festival, marking the start of Buddhist Lent, which continues until the middle of October.
This festival marks a very important time for the country’s monks.
Starting from the first day after the full moon of the eighth lunar month, which this year is Wednesday, July 13, monks begin a period of discipline and remain in their home temple for the three months of Lent.

Vice President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, the Most Venerable Maha Veth Masenay, at Sisaket temple in Xiengnheun village, Chanthabouly district, Vientiane.

This period is also known as the “rains retreat” and is a time of asceticism, when monks reflect on the Buddhist scriptures and regularly recite their vows.
Vice President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organisation, the Most Venerable Maha Veth Masenay, who is the Abbot at Sisaket temple in Vientiane, said it is obligatory for all monks to pay special obeisance to the Buddhist scriptures during Lent.
“The practice began long ago in India when people stopped work during the rainy season because it became so difficult to travel.”
Maha Veth took time out to explain the origins of Lent after receiving Phansa offerings from Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh’s family at Sisaket temple.
Centuries ago, as Buddhism spread and the number of monks increased, people complained that when monks went about their duties they trampled their rice farms and vegetable plots.
This situation led to a ruling by the Buddha which initiated Buddhist Lent (Khao Phansa), which everyone was to observe, but when monks in particular should remain in the temple, cave or other location they were in when Phansa began.
“In Laos, monks must strictly abide by the rules of Buddhism throughout the three months of Lent. This helps them to more deeply understand the principles of Buddhism and how to act as a true Buddhist in real life,” Maha Veth said.
He added that in the past people always helped monks to prepare for Khao Phansa by cleaning and repairing temples but these days, with everyone having busy lives and the general change in lifestyle, only a small number of people still do this.
However, it remains common practice for everyone to assemble food, fruit and other items to give to monks to make their lives more comfortable during their retreat.
There are three essential things that devout Buddhists must do on the day of Khao Phansa: make offerings, take part in almsgiving, and attend a candlelight procession.
Offerings
Early in the morning, people take candles, new robes for monks, rain clothes, and household items such as rice, water and instant food to offer to monks before almsgiving.
Almsgiving
Also in the early morning, people take candles, incense, flowers, cooked rice, sweets, and other small gifts to temples for the almsgiving ceremony.
Candlelight procession
In the evening, people take candles, incense and flowers to temples to carry as they take part in a candlelight procession.
Buddhist Lent is regarded by the general populace as a time of abstinence and moral purity, when devotees vow to give up vices such as drinking alcohol and gambling.
Khao Phansa is viewed as the best time of year for ordinary people and for monks. It not only protects people during the rainy season but helps to encourage healthy practices, gives monks and laypeople the chance to renew their Buddhist beliefs, and provides a time for reflection.

People offer candles, rain clothes and household items to monks at the Boun Khao Phansa festival yesterday.	Candlelight processions take place at temples on the evening of the festival day, with hundreds of people taking part.	After almsgiving, people pour water to ensure their offerings reach the spirits of their ancestors.
People gather at temples to pray and receive blessings from monks before almsgiving.	Crowds of people visit temples across Laos for traditional Khao Phansa activities.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
(Latest Update July 14, 2022)