Asalhapuja (Dhamma Day) Day

On the 29^th July the Buddhapadipa Temple celebrated Asalhapuja day. This day commemorates the first sermon delivered by the Buddha, which was to the five ascetics in the Deer Park. They became his followers and so the first Sangha was born to the world.

The activities on Asalhapuja Day at the Buddhapadipa temple, Buddhists flock to the temple in the morning. They observe the five precepts, listen to a sermon in Thai and English, serve food for monks, meditate or take part in other forms of meritorious activities. They also perform circumambulation, walking around the main temple three times, as a gesture of faith and respect in the Triple Gem; the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha.

In the afternoon, at one thirty, in the basement of the Temple, there was chanting of the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta by the venerable monks. Then at two o’clock, a member of the Lay Buddhist Association, gave the Sutta reading of the first sermon of the Buddha. This was followed by the guest speaker of the day, Phra Dr. Khammai Dhammasami who has been teaching the dhamma and vipassana meditation in the UK for over ten years, giving a Dhamma talk. It is great honour to have him as a guest speaker, thank you very much indeed for his kindness.

There then followed a short meditation and chanting followed by the suffusing of loving kindness. Afterwards Refreshments were served in the house. The day ended in joy and happiness.