Terms and meanings

Lao Buddhist Holidays and significance

• 1. Makhapuja, Bhikkhus met fortuitously on the full-moon day, and Sakyamuni expounded the PATIMOKHA, the rules of the order.

  2. SONGKRAN April, Buddhist New Year based on lunar calendar, min-April

  3. Visakha May, Sakyamuni Buddha Birthday,

  4. Bounpawad June,

  5. Khaophansa July, Beginning of Buddhist Lent - Vassa

  6. Khaophadapdin September, Ceremony of remembering dead people.

  7. Salaphatta/khao-Salaka September, Bhikkhus offer homage to Sakyamuni.

  8. Ok Phan Sa October, End of Lent.

  9. Bounganthin November,

  10. THAT LUANG Festival November, festival of the most sacred Pagoda in Laos.

  11. New Year Blessing ceremony December, New year Blessing (Tak Bath)

Common Chant and meanings

• • NAMO TASSA BAGHAVATO, ARAHATO, SAMMA SAMBUDDHADHASA (3 times) (praise be to Him, the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Supremely Enlightened).

  • (i) BHUDDHAM SARANAM GECCHAMI : I take refuge in the Buddha;

  • (ii) DHAMMAN SARANAM GECCHAMI : I take refuge in the Dhamma;

  • (iii) SANGHAM SARANAM GECCHAMI : I take refuge in the Sangha

  • The Five precepts:

  • (i) PANNATIPATA VERAMANI SIKKHAM PADHAM SAMADIYAMI:

  • I vow to myself not to take the lives of other living beings;

  • (ii) ADAINNA DANA VERAMANI SIKKHAM PADHAM SAMADIYAMI:

  • I vow to myself not to steal;

  • (iii) KAMAYSU MESASARA VERAMANI SIKKHAM PADHAM SAMADIYAMI: I vow to myself not to have unlawful sex;

  • (iv) MUSAVADA VERAMANI SIKKHAM PADHAM SAMADIYAMI: I vow to myself not to tell lies;

  • (v) SURAMAIRAYA MEIKSAPAMA, DATTHANA, VERAMANI SIKKHA PADHAM ASMADIYAMI: I vow to myself not to indulge in harmful drugs

Information reference from Lao Buddhist Society of Hawaii