Ok Phansa (The End of Buddhist Lent Day), which falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the eleventh lunar month, marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent for monks. It is also known as “Wan Pavarana,” which means “allowance.” On this day, monks are allowed to warn and remind one another of their shortcomings so they can acknowledge and improve their behavior.
Various regional traditions and ways of life are associated with Ok Phansa, including the Lotus Receiving tradition, the Tak Bat Devo ceremony, boat races, and the Kathina robe-offering ceremony.
The Rap Bua (Receiving Lotus) tradition involves throwing lotus flowers to worship a large Buddha statue on a boat. Local people toss the lotus flowers onto the boat as it travels along the water. This tradition is particularly famous in Samut Prakan province, as it is a continuation of an ancient custom of the Bang Phli people. The ceremony is held on the 13th and 14th days of the waxing moon in the eleventh lunar month.
Tak Bat Devo is a merit-making tradition that takes place on the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month. “Devo” abbreviates from “Devorohana,” which means “descent from the heavenly world.” The term originates from the remembrance of the Buddha’s return to the human world after preaching to his mother in the celestial realm. This tradition has a distinct characteristic: a Buddha image is carried at the front of the procession, either by a person or on a litter, followed by a long line of monks. Laypeople stand in rows on both sides of the path to make their offerings, symbolizing the Buddha’s descent to Earth. The most common offerings are Khao Tom Mat and Khao Tom Luk Yon. This is because according to legend, a large crowd had gathered to welcome the Buddha, so those who were too far away to make offerings shaped wheat into balls and threw them into the Buddha’s alms bowl.
Boat racing is a significant event on Ok Phansa. The objective of this event is to encourage local people to participate in a shared activity to foster unity and discipline within the community. The boat races on Ok Phansa are particularly famous in Nan province, where villagers gather to take part in the races.
Thot Kathin (Kathina Robe-Offering Ceremony) is an annual event that takes place from the first day of the waning moon of the eleventh lunar month until the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the twelfth lunar month. The tradition originated when 30 monks, who had completed their three-month Rains Retreat (Vassa), traveled to see the Buddha. The journey was difficult due to the rainy season, and their robes became soiled with mud. Recognizing their hardship, the Buddha granted permission for monks who had completed the full three-month retreat to receive new robes to replace their old ones. This is why, following the end of Buddhist Lent, laypeople often present new robes to the monks, an act that became known as the Kathina ceremony.
ภาพจิตรกรรมฝาผนัง วิถีชีวิต ประเพณีออกพรรษา จากคลังภาพจิตรกรรมฝาผนัง: อู่ทอง ประศาสน์วินิจฉัย
Reference
Uthong Prasatwinitchai. (2021). Pen Khon Thai Thang Thi (1st ed.). Compact Print.
Public Relations Department, PRD. (28 October 2023). Nan Province organizes the traditional boat race on Ok Phansa and Tan Kuai Salak at Wat Bun Yuen Royal Temple, Wiang Sa District, for the Royal Cup of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in 2023. https://nan.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/9/iid/227663
Exhibition content by Sasithon Inthakhiri, student of the Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology, Thammasat University.