On Sunday 28 February 2010 from 7.00 to 8.00 p.m., Ambassador Nopadol and Mrs. Anchulee Gunavibool joined Thai and Singaporean Buddhists at Wat Anand Metyarama to observe a candle-lit ceremony and praying, to celebrate Makha Bucha, which is one of the three most important days of Buddhism and an official holiday in Thailand.

“Makha Bucha” or “Magha Puja” is the first major Buddhist festival taking place on the full moon day of the third lunar month which usually falls in February to March. Makha Bucha is considered as the day of Dharma since Lord Buddha delivered the key dharma principles of Buddhism on this day. These principles are doing good deeds, avoid sinful acts, and purify one’s mind.

About nine months after Lord Buddha enlightened under the Bodhi Tree on the banks of the Neranchara river. Lord Buddha then had 1,340 disciples travelling to various places to spread the Buddhist teachings. In the third lunar month, 1,250 enlightened disciples ordained personally by Lord Buddha spontaneously returned to congregate before him on the full moon.

During that time, Lord Buddha was spending the Buddhist lent at the Veluvana Monastery, the first Buddhist temple established by King Bimbisara of Rajagaha. Lord Buddha saw that it was a good opportunity that the enlightened 1,250 disciples spontaneously gathered before him and therefore delivered a teaching called “Ovadapatimokkha” which addressed the principles the monks should use to spread Buddhism.

The full moon day of the third lunar month has become a memorable day of Buddhists due to four miraculous events called “Chaturanga Sannibat”

1. It was the full moon day;

2. The 1,250 enlightened disciples of Lord Buddha congregated without prior appointment;

3. The disciples were ordained by Lord Buddha himself;

4. Lord Buddha gave the teaching “Ovadapatimokkha.”

Since that day, Makha Bucha has been celebrated as an important Buddhist holy day when Buddhists go to a temple to make merits.

Makha Bucha Festival was first introduced in Thailand by His Majesty King Rama IV who chaired the Makha Bucha ceremony arranged in the court every year. The ceremony later became popular among people and Rama VI declared Makha Bucha official holiday. Activities at a temple on Makha Bucha include merit-making, Buddhist teaching listening, and a candle-lit ceremony.

In 2006, the Thai Government declared Makha Bucha Day as the National Gratitude Day because it demonstrates Lord Buddha’s love to all human beings. Buddhists are urged to show gratitude to Lord Buddha by doing good deeds, avoid sinful acts, and purify our mind.