Search Buddhist Channel
The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut or Lighting Festival of Burma
by Ashin Mettacara, OpEdNews, October 14, 2008
Rangoon, Burma -- Today is the Full Moon Day of Thagingyut, the seventh month in the Burmese calendar and the end of Lent (waso) for Buddhist monks. The Full Moon Day of Thadingyut is the Lighting Festival of Burma. The Lighting Festival falls over a period of three days; the day before full moon, full moon day itself and the day after.
The celebration of this festival is to illuminate the anniversary of Buddha's return from heaven (Savatimsa) where He had spent lent. Lent covers a period of three months when Buddhist monks retreat. During Lent monks may not travel anywhere.
Why did the Buddha spend Lent in heaven?
Queen Mayadevi died after giving birth to Buddha. She was reborn in heaven. Seven years later, the Buddha went to heaven in order to express gratitude to His mother. He spent Lent (three months) there, preaching the Abhidhamma (the profound teaching of Buddha) to His mother goddess and the other gods.
After end of the Lent (Full Moon Day), the Buddha returned from heaven to the human world, people from all over the country lit candles to welcome Him back. As years passed by, it became a tradition and a festival. When this festival takes place in a small town and villages it is more enjoyable than it is in cities.
On the festival day itself, groups of young people and children can be seen walking with candles and gifts in their hands, paying respect to elders. In Burmese we call this Kadaw, actually it is more than paying respects or doing obeisance. For Buddhists, the Buddha, His teachings (Dhamma), Monks (Sangha), Parents and Teachers are the first to receive this honour, next are those who are older and then those to whom we owe gratitude.
Weddings are taboo during the Buddhist lent, therefore weddings during this period are rare. Though is more fun to begin one's married life amidst festivities. Thadingyut, therefore, is not only replete with festivities, but is also an auspicious time for Burmese to practice the custom of remembering gratitude.
Younger people pay homage to elders during this season. They ask for forgiveness if they have committed any harm and in return, the elders return love and forgiveness.
October 13th, 14th, 15th of 2008 is Lighting festival, practiced country-wide in Burma.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv