Satjadham presents:

		Holidays and Festivals of Laos Series

		Boon Makabooxa ( BuddhistAll Saints Day )
			By Thip Chinthalasy

	Boon Makabooxa or Boon khao-jee ( bake sticky rice )- every years we 
(Lao people) celebrate on the full moon of third month B.E or February 3 A.D
except for the year with twice 8th month like this year(hpad xong honh).  This 
year it will be held on March 3 , I believe they based on the SOLAR ECLIPSE, 
every 18 years or so ?
	This tradition is based on Two big events that happened to great 
Lord Buddha " Siddhartha Gautama ", 3 months before he passed away into final
NIRVANA at Kushinagara ( now Kasia, India ), forever free from the cycle of
suffering and rebirth.
1- The 1,250 enlightenment Bikkhus ( monks) gathered in the extraordinary
time together without an appointment to pay respect to Phra Siddhartha
Gautama. On this great occasion , Phra Gautama had proclaimed "Dhamma" as the
main Buddhist religion and the day of Buddhist relegion begans. There he
first preached his doctrine of the Four Noble Thuths - that this life is
suffering, source is craving, suffering can cease, and that
the pratice of the Eight fold Path--of right views, right intention, right
speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and
right concentration--brings about this cessation.
2- Phra Gautama had received the "death invitation" from a Demon to force him
passed away.
 In our country "Laos" Boon Makabooxa's Eve, people who like to pratice the
Dhamma has to come to Pagoda and pass the night overthere. Firstly, to listen
to the Bhikku preach the sermons. Secondly, for the preparation of making
"Khao-Jee" (bake sticky rice) in very early morning for Boon Makabooxa's
ceremony. 
  Any comments or questions please E-mail to Laolit@tuddy.cc.monash.edu.au or SCL.

Hakphaang 
Thip