| Khao Pansa / Esala Poya (Buddhist Fast begins) - Friday July 27, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : For a period of 3 months, Buddhists priests have to meditate in temples and observe strict rules. Young men are also enrolled in temples on that day, until Auk Phansa -- full moon of October, the official end of the rainy season.
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| Thimphu Drupchen - Saturday September 15, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Lasts 5 days - The Drubchhen was instituted between 1705 and 1709 by Kuenga Gyaltshen, the first reincarnation of Jampel Dorji, the son of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. According to legend, Pelden Lhamo appeared before him and performed the dances while he was in meditation. Based on these dances, Kuenga Gyeltshen initiated the Drubchhen
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| Binara Full Moon Poya Day - Monday September 24, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Even before the birth of Buddhism, Asian ascetics in the ancient times when there were no calendars, made it a practice on full moon days to cease worldly pursuits and engage themselves in religious activities.
The Buddha adopted this practice and from this developed the preaching of the Buddhist texts and commentaries (bana) in monasteries and temples on full moon Poya days. And when the Venerable Arahat Mahinda Thero introduced Buddhism to this country in 247 BC he also introduced the Poya tradition.
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| Bonn Phchum Ben - Monday October 8, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Offerings to monks, prayers at the pagoda
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| Bonn Phchum Ben - Tuesday October 9, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Offerings to monks, prayers at the pagoda
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| Bonn Phchum Ben - Wednesday October 10, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Offerings to monks, prayers at the pagoda
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| Vijaya Dashami (Dasera) - Friday October 19, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : The victory of Durga on evil forces, the destruction of Vasanas (subjectivity, selfishness, desires...) and the achievement of the deepest Self. Dominance of Saraswati (pure science) over Lakshmi (applied science)
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| Vijaya Dashami (Dasera) - Saturday October 20, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : The victory of Durga on evil forces, the destruction of Vasanas (subjectivity, selfishness, desires...) and the achievement of the deepest Self. Dominance of Saraswati (pure science) over Lakshmi (applied science)
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| Bouk ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends) - Tuesday October 23, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) :
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| Bouk ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends) - Wednesday October 24, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Bouk Khao Pansa marks the end of Buddhist Lent and all those couples who had been putting off marriage now rush into each other's arms. Monks are free to travel from kyaung to kyaung or to go on pilgrimage to holy spots. in Vientiane only
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| Vap Full Moon Poya Day - Wednesday October 24, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Celebrates the obtaining of Vivarana (the assurance of becoming a Buddha) by the Bodhisatta Maitriya and the commissioning of 60 disciples by The Buddha to disperse his teachings. http://www.mysrilanka.com/travel/lanka/festivals/POSON.HTM
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| Bouk ok Pansa (Buddhist Fast ends) - Thursday October 25, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) :
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| Buddha's Coming Down from Heaven - Wednesday October 31, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Celebration of his return to earth from heaven. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, and his mother expired after seven days. At the age of 41, he ascended to heaven to preach to his mother.
Nuns and monks and king Zug Chen Nyingpo were worried because they did not know where hewas. His disciple, the clairvoyant Sharibu, had a vision of the lord to be in heaven. Another disciple of Lord Buddha, Mao gyel ge bu, who was known to possess miraculous powers, ascended to heaven and requested Buddha to return to earth. He agreed to descend.
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| Il Full Moon Poya Day - Thursday November 22, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Marks the end of the Rainy Retreat period (Vassana-Samaya). The Bhikkus stay indoors in the temples and observe the Bhavana meditation and other religious activities. This is the end and climax of the rainy season.
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| Festival of the Golden Stupa (in Vientiane only) - Thursday November 22, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : That Luang is the national symbol and most important religious monument of Laos. Vientiane's most important Theravada Buddhist festival, Boun That Luang , is held here for three days during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month not a paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday [Wikipedia]
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| Unduvap Poya - Saturday December 22, 2018 Buddhism (Theravada) : Arrival of the Bo-tree sapling. This was brought to Sri Lanka from India by Buddhist Theri Sanghamitta, and it is this very tree that is venerated by Buddhists in Anuradhapura. It is also the oldest documented tree in the world. Sanghamitta Theri established the Bhikkhuni Sasana (the Order of Nuns). paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday
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