Vien Tien Buddhist Rite Khao Phansa Buddhist Lent

Vien Tien is a buddhist rite practised on high buddhist festivities, like these days Khao Phansa, the so called buddhist lent. The word lent is a bit confusing, because it´s not a real lent. Khao Phansa marks the beginning of the rainy seasson in Thailand and from now on, buddhist monks should not travel or wander around, they should stay at a fixed temple until the end of the rainy season (Ok Phansa). This is practised since the lifetime of Lord Buddha and the meaning behind is, that at the rainy season seeds are sprouting and a holy man should not trample on the scion.

The Vien Tien is a rite to honour Lord Buddha and the whole Buddhism. It means a triple, clockwise circumnavigation of a chedi in a buddhist temple. The first circumnavigation people are commemorating Lord Buddha, the second round people should think about the teachings of Lord Buddha (Buddha Dharma/Dhamma) and the third round people should bearing the community of buddhist monks (Sangha) in mind. All the buddhist believers, which are participating the Vien Tien Ritual are holding the triple buddhist offerings in their folded hands.

Believe us, there is a marvelousness, strong, spiritual power produced by this Vien Tien Ritual.

Picture: Buddhist monks at Wat Chedi Luang (Chedi Luang Temple),
Chiang Mai, North – Thailand at the Vien Tien Rite
© Thai-Eyes
Photographer: Anuparp Ratanakhon