Boun Ok Phansa is the end of Buddhist Lent, in which Buddhist monks and priests retreat during the rainy season and reemerge on this day. Candles lit on Khaon Pansa, which is characterized by a candle festival and offering time to Buddhist monks, will have burned through the rainy season. These show a physical illumination of the temple and a mental illumination of the mind. After these 3 months, young priests and monks are free to return home to celebrations and merriment in the form of Boun Ok Phansa. Rice offerings are given to the monks when they return, and banana leaf floats are set along the Mekong River in celebration of their return.
A boat racing festival follows, and people line the river to watch and cheer on the boats. It is a time of music and dancing, celebrations with copious amounts of food.
No comments:
Post a Comment