Waso
Myanmar Festival
is the fourth Myanmar month. It
is part summer and part monsoon. It falls in
June and July.
The full-moon day of Waso is significant as
the day the embryo-Buddha was conceived, the
day He preached the first sermon of Dhamma
Cakka, the day He performed the miracles.
The day also marks the beginning of the
Buddhist Lent of three months when members
of the Sangha go into the rains retreat.
It is a time of
ordination and novitiation into the
religious order, with these events held
since the days of ancient Myanmar monarchs
for the flourishing of the Sasana.
There is also a practice of young men and
women going on outings of gathering flowers
to be offered at Buddha images.
A significant
practice of Waso is the offering of monk's
robes to members of the Sangha for use
during the Lent and so these robes are
called Waso robes. Likewise there are also
big candles called Waso candles offered at
this time of the year.
Among lay people it is also a time to offer
elders cakes, fruits and other offertories.
The Text is by Myat Min Hlaing, Illustration from Wa Thone
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