Veluvana, Rajagraha,India : More than two thousand five hundred fifty years ago
The full moon of "Makha" shone brightly on the Veluvana Bamboo Gardens. Calmness and serenity prevailed. Only the voice of the venerable one reverberated through the evening. One thousand two hundred fifty monks listened intently to the great teacher. All of them had come unannounced to meet HIM....the Gautama Buddha ... and all of them were ordained by Buddha himself on this day. He gave them the principles of Buddhism - to cease from all evil, to do what is good and to cleanse one's mind. This was nine months after Buddha had attained enlightenment.
Forty four years passed by. Again came the full moon night of "Makha". Gautama Buddha decided for nirvana. Three months later he attained Mahaparinirvana.
Twenty first century :
Two thousand five hundred fifty years later, Buddha's teaching still continues to enrich so many lives. Makha Bucha Day is celebrated in Thailand in remembrance of this important event on the full moon night of the third lunar month of the year, "Makha".
We joined the crowd at a nearby Wat to observe the celebrations. Devotees came to pray and show respect to Lord Buddha. They made "parikrama" around the Upasana hall with lighted candles, incense and flowers in hand. We joined them in silence and devotion. Some set caged birds free. Liberation of mind, body and soul from all the sufferings.....that's what Gautama taught to mankind and that is the ultimate path to happiness.