Homepage > Buddhism > Wien Tien

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.

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.

information from: The Nation