Big Weekend Shenanigans, Thanks to Big Buddha

With a four day weekend to celebrate Big Buddha Day, we decided to take advantage of the holiday and spend it in the appropriate manner...beating each other up in a boxing ring, riding bulls, and limboing under fire.  That's why we had off from work, right? Like the Catholic version of lent where there is Fat Tuesday (that day you indulge in every sweet treat that you can shove in your face, before you give up those Twix bars for 40 days)...we treated the previous weekend as Huge Saturday and Sunday (where we could drink, dance, and knock each other out before a peaceful period started in our lives).  See what I did there?  I just justified a weekend of partying.

But in all seriousness, Wan Khao hPansa (Buddhist Lent) is a time for monks and lay people to dedicate their time to deep mediation and giving up ascetic practices like drinking and smoking for the duration of the rainy season.  (Can't wait for those monsoon months to start...)

It was originally started to stop travel during rainy season as to not harm crops, yourself, or even insects - so during these months, monks are not allowed to sleep outside of their temples.  Buddhist monks also use this time to train new monks and study the Dharma.

Temples are very crowded on this day - we actually passed one on our ride back into town that was overflowing with people.  They come together to offer goods to the monks and to hear the Dharma - the teachings and principles of Buddhism.

So now that you've been culturally enriched for the day...enjoy our beach antics from that weekend! (We could all use some meditation and peace after this insanity).

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