Meak Bochea Day （មាឃបូជា）

While the Western world was hung up on buying roses, reserving a place for a romantic dinner, and writing cards, Southeast Asia was busy repenting for their sins!

 

 

It was Meak Bochea or Magha Puja day in which is a significant holiday for Thai, Lao, Cambodian, and Burmese Buddhists. I am a Mayahayana Buddhist so I am not too familiar with the holiday so please correct me if I am wrong on any of my explanations. But to summarize the importance of this holiday, a few significant things happened on this day: 1) It is the day in which the thousands of his disciples all voluntarily came to see him despite it wasn’t summoned or organized by anyone. 2) Upon seeing his disciples, the Buddha gave a sermon which talked about freeing oneself from evil and purifying the mind. 3) He also announced that he will be leaving this world in three more months. 

As so many things happened that day it’s considered an auspicious holiday. Many refrain from committing any sin (including smoking,drinking, etc) and perform merit making activities.

We were cordially invited to the service at Wat Damnak which starts out with chanting followed by taking the offerings around the temple ground three times then in to the main service hall. There, more chanting is done followed by a dharma talk. The night ends with lighting of candles everywhere in the temple and monks and followers come and go all night giving their prayers and offering to purify their sins.

Cambodian culture and tradition is deeply rooted around the temple so it’s always grateful that the community is always welcoming us in their activities, especially special ones such as these. 

Procession of monks and nuns

Lay followers follow the procession, carrying flower offerings

Orange and white

Paparazzi monk!

91 year old abbot gives his prayers before the chanting session

Monk buddies

Pagoda doors are open for a special blessing session

People being blessed with what is say to be the Buddha's Relics (bones)

Adorable nuns

Lighting candles