Buddhist New Year Water Pouring Ceremony Sunday 12 April | Sonkran | Bathing the Buddha
- Dhammagiri
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The official New Year in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Myanmar is on 13th of April. However, as Monday 13/04 is a working day, we celebrate one day early on Sunday 12th, when more people have an opportunity to come out to the monastery.
For New Year, Buddha statues are traditionally bathed with scented water, symbolizing purification. The Buddha gave us the Dhamma to purify our mind, and we reciprocate by cleansing the physical statue of the Buddha, as a small token of our gratitude and devotion to the Buddha.
After the auspicious first almsoffering in the new year, our ceremony starts with asking forgiveness from the Triple Gem, to get a clean slate for the new year.
Then Laity also pour scented water over the hands of the monks, as a sign of respect, gratitude and appreciation for the monks' efforts to share the purifying Dhamma of the Buddha.
The ceremony closes with the monks chanting a blessing in return.
🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝
Thai, Sri Lankan & Myanmar New Year
Water Pouring Ceremony
Sunday 12 April at Dhammagiri
09:00 am
Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
Observance of 5 precepts with Tan Ādicco
10:00 am
Preparation of food for Almsoffering
10:30 am
Almsoffering
Anumodanā & Blessing
Shared Meal
11:50 am
Water Pouring Ceremony:
Short Explanation of Meaning of Ceremony
Asking Forgiveness from Triple Gem
Rinsing Buddha Statue & Monks' Hands with Scented Water.
New Year's Blessing
03:00 pm
Evening Chanting
Guided / Silent Meditation
Dhamma Reflection
Sharing Merits with All Beings
05.00 pm
End of program
The ceremony at 9.00 am is meant for those who really want to commit to the five precepts for the coming year.
It is possible to participate only for parts of the program, but please be seated in the Dhammahall at least 15 minutes before start of sessions.
🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝
If you can't come personally, the main events at 12:00 pm and 03.00 pm will be live streamed on our Youtube Channel
