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Written by The Nation
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I took these two pictures
at my local temple, Wat Asok, in Paknam. At the temple you can
buy joss sticks, candles and flowers. Usually there is no set
price, you just give a donation.
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On Visakha Bucha Day, Thais
normally visit temples to attend a sacred ceremony whereby - with lit
candles in their hands - they walk around the main chapel three times.
On the first circuit, they set their mind to worship the Buddha. On
the second, they concentrate on the Buddha's teaching, or Dharma. During
the third, they focus on the Sangha, who help carry on the spirit of
Buddhism.
Proper dress for a Buddhist
on this day is all white. But casual dress is now allowed.
To participate in the candle-lit
ceremony around a chapel, joss sticks, two candles and a lotus are required.
The joss sticks give out an aroma that represents the Buddha's nirvana.
But his teachings remain eternal.
The two candles represent
the Dharma of the Buddha - one for the pure metaphysical Dharma and
the other for the layman's practical Dharma.
The lotus represents the
monks, as they share the same status when they enter the monkhood -
whatever class they come from - and have to follow the 227 precepts
of the Buddha. The lotus also represents the Buddha.
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