Khao Phra-Ngam (AsiaNews) – Yesterday, the Buddhist festival of Mahapawarana, the Day of Permission, marked the end of Buddhist Lent in Sirijannimit Temple in Khao Phra-Ngan (Lopburi province). During the three-month period, Buddhist monks cannot stay overnight outside their temple. Weddings, games and other forms of public entertainment are also not allowed.

Poonsawad Tuekong, mayor of Khao Phra-Ngan, started the celebrations by welcoming visitors. At dawn, residents gathered in the square in front of the temple to prepare lookyon, a traditional dish of steamed sticky rice mixed with banana wrapped in banana leaves, as an offering to 98 monks (the same number of statues inside the temple).

After the offering, the abbot addressed the people present at the ceremony. “The values to practice,” he said, “are doing good, praying for one’s departed relatives, staying away from temptations that lead to ruin, remember the past year, do not be negligent and improve oneself.” The end of Lend, he explained, “is a time to change, a time to start a new life, a time to consider one’s mistakes so as not to repeat them in the future.”

For Buddhist monks, Mahapawarana is also a time of reflection when older members advise younger ones, and vice versa. The abbot’s address is also very important since it is usually based on the story of the Buddha’s last reincarnation.