by Weena Kowitwanij

The anniversary celebrates the first large gathering of the tradition, where the Buddha gave his first public sermon in front of 1250 monks. The polls speak of a decline in the faithful and a disaffection toward religion. Monks and authorities are looking at the "new generation" to perpetuate the cult.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - In spite of polls that indicate a decrease in the practice of Buddhist worship, Thais celebrated Makhabucha with joy and devotion. It falls every year in conjunction with the full moon of the third lunar month, and according to the Western calendar, began on March 7. The anniversary celebrates the first large gathering of the Buddhist tradition, characterized by four main events: the full moon in the third month, the spontaneous gathering of 1250 monks, the order given them by "the enlightened" and, finally, the fact that all of them are considered holy by tradition. As evidence of the importance of the event, in 2006 the Thai government determined that Makhabucha Day be considered "a day of gratitude" for the entire nation.

A Dusit Poll shows that 58.9% of Thai Buddhist practice their faith "very rarely" and "do not believe" that religion, today, is as important as before. However, the Office of National Buddhism (ONB) and the Department for the promotion of ethics have sought to organize special events to honor the best of the 2600 years of Buddha's enlightenment, an event better known as the "Buddha-Chayanthi" . It celebrates "victory of Buddha over evil" thanks to his "enlightenment" and now renamed "victory of Buddhism and all Buddhists."

Makhabucha is also linked to Buddha's first sermon, held nine months after his enlightenment. For the occasion, the Supreme Patriarch Som de Phra Nyanasamvara reminds all believers of the meaning of worship "of the three jewels": the Buddha, the Dharma (teachings) and the monks, who are the living testimony of the Buddha. Nopparatana Benjawattananun, director of ONB, invites the faithful to participate in the activities organized in temples across the country. And recalls what Buddha stated in his first sermon, before 1250 future monks, to be "seeds that bear fruit" and "to purify your hearts and your minds."

In particular, in the Srakate temple in Bangkok initiatives are aimed primarily at young people, to transmit to "future generations" the values of Buddhism. In southern Thailand, the scene of violence and attacks at the hands of the Malay Muslim minority, all the Makhabucha Day celebrations were held in the temple in Pattani Suwannaram. Nevertheless, the explosion of a bomb killed a policeman and wounded several passers.

• Thailand
• Buddhism
• makhabucha
• youth
• peace
• festival