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Buddhist Holy Days: Days of Observance, Reflection, and Merit-Making

Buddhist holy days, or Wan Phra, are special occasions for Buddhists around the world. These days are set aside for merit-making, practicing virtue, and deepening one’s understanding of the Dharma. Each lunar month has four holy days:

• Waxing moon on the 8th day
• Full moon on the 15th day
• Waning moon on the 8th day
• New moon on the 15th day (or the 14th in shorter months)

The full moon and new moon days are considered the most significant, often connected to important teachings for humans, celestial beings, and even the underworld.

Holy Days from a Human Perspective

Holy days are vital for Buddhist followers, bringing together laypeople and monks in various merit-making activities. Laypeople typically prepare by:

• Visiting temples
• Observing the precepts
• Listening to Dharma talks
• Cultivating merit

The ultimate goal is to attain enlightenment, or at the very least, accumulate merit and transfer blessings to deceased relatives. Before the holy day, lay followers prepare offerings like flowers, incense, candles, and food for the monks. They participate in listening to Dharma teachings, cleaning the temple grounds, and performing other meritorious acts. Parents often bring their children to temples to introduce them to Buddhist practices from a young age.

Holy Days from a Monastic Perspective

For monks, holy days are a time for introspection and reflection. They contemplate their purpose in monastic life and assess whether their actions align with their ordination vows—to seek freedom from suffering and attain enlightenment. Monks reflect on their adherence to virtues, the practice of morality, concentration, wisdom, and the pursuit of liberation through the study and practice of Dharma. This self-reflection reinforces their commitment to living a life worthy of emulation by laypeople.

Holy Days in the Celestial Realm

In the celestial realm, the day before the full moon is marked by a council meeting of celestial leaders. The Four Great Kings (Chatumaharajika), who govern the heavens, including the Deva of Tavatimsa led by Indra, gather to discuss:

• The virtuous conduct of humans, celestial beings, and other entities like Nagas, Yakshas, and Gandharvas.
• Ways to encourage beings to live mindfully and avoid falling into lower realms due to heedlessness.

On the full moon day, all celestial beings assemble at the council hall in heaven to listen to Indra’s teachings. Those who are mindful participate in this gathering, while the heedless may continue to indulge in leisurely pursuits.

Holy Day Reflections from the Divine Assembly: Reminders of Mindfulness, Respect, and Reverence

During the celestial assembly, Indra delivers profound teachings emphasizing the importance of:

• Meditating on the Buddha’s qualities
• Maintaining mindfulness
• Visiting the Chulamani Chedi, a sacred shrine symbolizing spiritual refuge

Indra advises the celestial beings to avoid harm and discord, focusing instead on building merit. These teachings resonate throughout the day in the heavens, reflecting a commitment to purity and peace.

As dusk approaches in the human world, celestial beings observe human activities on the holy day. As night falls, celestial attendants compile lists of those who have engaged in virtuous deeds on earth, such as offering alms, practicing morality, meditating, or helping others. These lists are recited in the heavens, and the assembly rejoices, praising the merit accumulated by beings on earth.

The Holy Day in Yama’s Realm: A Pause in Suffering

Even in Yama’s realm, the underworld in Buddhist cosmology, the major holy days bring a momentary pause in suffering. The 320 sub-hells surrounding the eight great hells cease their punishments, torture devices are set aside, and tormented beings experience a brief respite. Guards offer some comfort, encouraging souls to endure their suffering until their earthly relatives perform good deeds and dedicate the merit to them, which may alleviate their suffering or eventually lead to their release.

The significance of holy days in Yama’s realm lies in the opportunity for merit generated by living relatives to reach these suffering beings. Buddhist followers, aware of this, dedicate their acts of generosity, precept-observance, and meditation to those in the underworld, especially on holy days.

The Special Importance of Buddhist Holy Days Across Realms

Buddhist holy days, particularly full moon days, hold a unique significance across all realms. They connect the human world, heavenly realms, and even Yama’s realm. These days also make the essence of enlightenment more accessible to sincere practitioners, mirroring the Buddha’s own enlightenment, which occurred on a full moon day. This underscores the importance of devoting oneself to merit-making and practicing virtue on these sacred days.