The End of the Buddhist Rainy Retreat Day (Awk Phansa)

The End of the Buddhist Rainy Retreat (Awk Phansa)

After the monks have endured the 3 months retreat in their own monastery, they are then allowed to travel again. The last day of the Rains retreat is called “Awk Phansa” (in Thai), which means “leaving the Rains retreat”.

This day marks the end of the Buddhist lent and falls on the full moon day of the eleventh lunar month (October).

It represents a day of joyful celebration and merit-making for the lay devotees.

The day can also be referred to as “Mahapavarana”, meaning “Sangha talk” or “discussion day”. It is on this day, with loving kindness, the monks will gather and have a discussion on all aspects relating to the Sangha community and decide upon actions to be taken for its general improvement for the future.

Reasons as to why it is important to mark the end of rainy retreat:

In celebration that the monks are allowed to travel again.
The monks have the opportunity to pass on any experience or knowledge that they have gained or accumulated during their retreat for the benefit of others
On the day of the end of the rainy retreat, Sangha discussion takes place to improve the Sangha community.
Lay Buddhists can also participate in such discussions in giving their opinion on the issues related to the Sangha-laity community.

To this day, “Awk Phansa” is still observed for the benefit of the monks and the lay community.

At The Buddhapadipa Temple, monks and lay supporters celebrate in unison. The faithful will visit the temple to offer food or requisites to the monks in order to make merit; while the monks reciprocate such offerings by delivering a sermon on the teachings of the Buddha.

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