Various religious groups, government agencies, private organizations, and the general public have joined hands in merit-making as a tribute to His Majesty the King during the Buddhism week from July 22 to 26. The period is in observance of Asalha Puja Day, which coincides with July 26 this year.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged Buddhist Thais to practice in accordance with the Buddha’s teachings, which include right view, a way leading to a happy and peaceful life. All temples in Thailand have organized religious activities to observe this important religious occasion.

Asalha Puja commemorates the day when the Buddha’s first sermon was delivered to his first five disciples. It falls on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, coming one day before the Buddhist Lent Day. Regarded as a significant day for all Buddhists, Asalha Puja marks the coming into existence of the Triple Gem, comprising the Buddha, his teachings, or Dhamma, and his disciples, or the Sangha. On that day, the Buddha’s first sermon was delivered to his first disciples.

After the Buddha attained his enlightenment and realized that five ascetics, his former friends in meditation, would attain Nirvana promptly, on hearing his teaching, he proceeded to preach to them on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month. The Buddha gave his first sermon at the Deer Park near Benares, touching on the Four Noble Truths and the Middle Way.

The first Noble Truth is about suffering, the second one about the origin of suffering, the third one the extinction of suffering, and the fourth one the path leading to the extinction of suffering. According to the Four Noble Truths, our existence is bound up with suffering, which means birth, decay, death, sorrow, pain, grief, and despair. Desire, which includes selfishness and craving, is the main cause of suffering. To stop suffering, Buddhism advocates extinction of desire. The way to eliminate the cause of suffering consists of right view or right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

As for the Middle Way, those who follow it avoid the two extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification, and live a balanced life in which material welfare and spiritual well-being go hand in hand, parallel and complementary to each other.

There are five major religions currently observed by population groups throughout Thailand. They include Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism. His Majesty the King, a Buddhist, is the royal patron of each faith, which allows the faithful of different religions to live together peacefully. The Thai government has accorded people not only religious freedom but also full support to their faith.

Owing to government support, Thailand is acclaimed as the “World Buddhism Gateway.”

Source: Public Relations Department of the Royal Thai government