Full Moon Day of Kason

Threefold Significance

This day is deeply revered by Buddhists because it commemorates three major events in the life of Gautama Buddha:

1. Birth: The day Prince Siddhartha (the future Buddha) was born.

2. Enlightenment: The day he attained supreme enlightenment (Buddhahood) under the Bodhi tree.

3. Parinibbana (Passing Away): The day he passed into final Nirvana.

The Main Tradition: The Water Pouring Ceremony

The most distinctive and central tradition of the Kason festival is the Bodhi Tree Watering Festival (known as Nyanung Ye Thun Pwe).

• The Act of Watering: The month of Kason falls in the middle of Myanmar’s hot, dry season when the water levels in ponds and creeks are at their lowest. Devotees visit pagodas and monasteries where a Bodhi tree (a sacred fig, Ficus religiosa) is planted. They pour water, often scented, at the roots of the tree.

• Symbolism:

  • Honoring the Buddha: This act is performed to pay homage to the Buddha, as he attained enlightenment under the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya.

  • Preservation of the Dhamma: It symbolizes nurturing and preserving the Dhamma (the Buddha’s teachings).

  • Preventing Drought: It is a literal act of piety and gratitude to ensure the tree, a symbol of the Buddha, does not die of drought during the intense heat.

Other Traditions and Observances

On this day, communities across Myanmar engage in numerous religious activities:

• Merit-Making: People dress in their best traditional attire and participate in various acts of merit, such as:

  • Keeping the Sabbath: Observing the Eight Precepts for the day.

  • Meditation and Prayers: Spending time in quiet contemplation and prayer at pagodas.

  • Offerings: Presenting flowers, light (candles/oil lamps), water, and incense to the images of the Buddha.

  • Charitable Deeds: Offering food (alms) to monks, and sometimes releasing caged birds and fish in a symbolic act of liberation and compassion.

• Processions: In some areas, grand processions are held as people march to the pagodas, carrying water pots, flowers, and candles.

The Full Moon Day of Kason is a vibrant display of deep-rooted Buddhist faith, demonstrating devotion to the Buddha and his teachings through ritual and compassion.