Today is Makha Bucha, also called Magha Puja or Sangha Day, in Thailand. This is a major Buddhist holiday in Thailand, yet the Bangkok Post reports that most Thai youths were unaware Makha Bucha falls on February 9 this year.
A poll of youths aged 12 to 24 years old found that 55.5 percent could not give the date of Makha Bucha, observed in Thailand and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month. Worse, 63 percent did not understand the significance of the holiday. However,
36.1 per cent gave more importance to Makha Bucha Day than Valentine's Day on February 14, while 23.5 per cent gave equal importance to both events. 31.6 per cent refrained from giving their opinions. Another 8.8 per cent viewed that Valentine's Day is more important than Makha Bucha Day.
Makha Bucha 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 particular, this is a day for laypeople to show special appreciation to the monastic sangha.
We’ll I’ve always seen Valentine’s day as a holiday made up by the holiday card people. I know there was St. Valentine, but it really has no relation to what is celebrated. It’s just another day to me and I do nothing special for it.
I hadn’t heard of Makha Bucha before, but haven’t really looked at too many of the Buddhist holidays. The holidays aren’t really what is important to me.
i love the idea of a holiday showing appreciation for the sangha. how is it traditionally celebrated? perhaps i’ll do something for our weekly sangha meeting tomorrow…