Thailand Vesak day

A cover from Thailand 🇹🇭 

Vesak day (also known as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Day) is a national holiday observed in many Buddhist and Hindu countries, including Thailand. It is considered to be the most significant Buddhist holiday because it commemorates the three defining events in the life of Buddha- the birth, the enlightenment, and the passing away (“Buddhist Lent Day”, n.d). Buddha was born during the 6th century B.C and attained enlightenment at the age of 35, providing the tenets of Buddhism which he taught until his death at the age of 80 (“Buddha”, 2018) Buddhists believe he entered Nirvana, escaping all suffering and reincarnation (“Visakha Bucha Day 2018 and 2019”, n.d). All three defining moments land on the same month and date, known as the Vesak Full Moon day.

The holiday is celebrated in many different ways by Buddhists around the world. In Thailand specifically, it is named Visakha Bucha day. While it does not have a fixed day each year, it typically falls in May or June. 

Vesak Day (issued 22-05-2018)
- Phra That Sri Jomthong in Chiang Mai
- Phra That Dot Tung in Chiang Rai
- Phra That Lampang Luang in Lampang
- Phra That Gate Kaew Chulamanee in Chiang Mai

Phrathat Jao Sri Jom Thong, is a temple in Jom Thong County. The legend says, it was probably built in somewhere around the 20th-24th Buddhist era, according to the art and architectural evidences within the temple. One of the things that make Phrathat Sri Chom Thong Temple so important is, this temple is the storage of a part of Lord Buddha’s relics. The legend also says that the Indian emperor Ashoka was the one who brough the relics to the temple. Not only that, Phrathat Sri Chom Thong Temple was also registered as a national historic site, along with many other temples in Chiang Mai. Moreover, this is a fortunate temple for those who were born in year of the rat. 

 Phra Maha Chinathat Chao (Doi Tung) or commonly known as Wat Phrathat Doi Tung is located on top of Doi Din Daeng.  It was built in the reign of Phrachao Uchutarat, the 3rd King of the Singhanawat Royal Family.  At the time. Phra Maha Kassapa presented to the King relics of the Buddha (a collarbone).  The relics were then moved and kept on top of Doi Tung, previously known as Doi Din Daeng where the Milakku or Lua tribe resided.  The King gave gold to the head of the tribe in exchange for an additional 3.000 square wa extension on each side of the land surrounding Phrathat.  The temple was named after a sacred flag known as Tung in local dialect which was 7,000 square wa in length and put up at the temple by Phra Maha Kassapa. it relates to the belief that Phrathat is assigned to the Year of the Pig.

 Phra That Lampang Luang is a fortified temple or wiang; it was built on top of an earth mound and is surrounded by high brick walls. In the early 18^th century when Lampang was occupied by the Burmese, the invaders occupied the temple. It was later freed by a group of 300 local people led by a man named Thippachak, whose statue can be seen on the temple grounds. The highly revered Phra Kaew Don Tao Buddha image cast in the 16^th century is enshrined in this temple, after it was brought here from nearby Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao temple. To get a good overview of the fortified temple complex atop the mound, hire a horse drawn carriage to take you around the temple.

Thanks Narong for this beautiful cover :)