ANNUAL EVENTS
January
New Year’s Eve Chanting, December 31 to January 1On the final day of each year, disciples perform chantings to conclude the year and to auspiciously welcome the new year. The end-of-the year ceremony begins at 10 PM and continues after midnight into January 1st. Alms giving is performed on the morning of the first day of the year.
Princess Galayani Vadhana’s Day of Passing, January 2
Monks and Buddhist disciples perform chanting and merit dedication at Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda for Her Royal Highness.
Monks and Buddhist disciples perform chanting and merit dedication at Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda for Her Royal Highness.
Thai Combat Troops Day, January 18
A worship and offering ceremony is performed as merit-making to honor King Naresuan the Great, warrior monarchs, and male and female troops.
A worship and offering ceremony is performed as merit-making to honor King Naresuan the Great, warrior monarchs, and male and female troops.
January
New Year’s Eve Chanting, December 31 to January 1On the final day of each year, disciples perform chantings to conclude the year and to auspiciously welcome the new year. The end-of-the year ceremony begins at 10 PM and continues after midnight into January 1st. Alms giving is performed on the morning of the first day of the year.
Princess Galayani Vadhana’s Day of Passing, January 2
Monks and Buddhist disciples perform chanting and merit dedication at Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda for Her Royal Highness.
Monks and Buddhist disciples perform chanting and merit dedication at Sri Buddha Gaya Pagoda for Her Royal Highness.
Thai Combat Troops Day, January 18
A worship and offering ceremony is performed as merit-making to honor King Naresuan the Great, warrior monarchs, and male and female troops.
A worship and offering ceremony is performed as merit-making to honor King Naresuan the Great, warrior monarchs, and male and female troops.
February
Magha Puja DayChantings and three rounds of circumambulation are held.
March
Teacher Reverence Ceremony, March 15Disciples pay homage to teachers. Those who have been a pupil of a particular traditional Thai discipline—astrology, mask theatre, classical dance, poetics, or religion—gather to worship their teachers’ contributions to the arts. The following day, March 16, the monastery is closed.
February
Magha Puja DayChantings and three rounds of circumambulation are held.
March
Teacher Reverence Ceremony, March 15Disciples pay homage to teachers. Those who have been a pupil of a particular traditional Thai discipline—astrology, mask theatre, classical dance, poetics, or religion—gather to worship their teachers’ contributions to the arts. The following day, March 16, the monastery is closed.
April
Songkran (Thai New Year)The monastery holds a meal offering ceremony for monks and seniors, and Phra Thamapamok and Phra Kru Wichitsilapon hand out gifts to local elders. In addition, disciples pour water on the hands of adults and Luang Phor Phra Roong, the original Buddha of the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness.
May
Princess Galayani Vadhana’s Day, May 6On the sixth of May, which is Her Royal Highness’s birthday, monks and disciples gather to perform chantings, recite prayers for the deceased, offer meals, and practice dharma. There is also a blood donation organized by the Thai Red Cross.
Visakah Puja and Buddha’s Cremation Remembrance Day
On Visakah Puja, the day of the Budda’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, monks and disciples perform chanting and triple circumambulation.
On Visakah Puja, the day of the Budda’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, monks and disciples perform chanting and triple circumambulation.
The eighth day after Visakah Puja represents the day of the Buddha’s cremation. Recitation of a mantra about the Buddha’s footprints, merit-making, and triple circumambulation are performed.
May
Princess GalayaniVadhana’s Day, May 6
On the sixth of May, which is Her Royal Highness’s birthday, monks and disciples gather to perform chantings, recite prayers for the deceased, offer meals, and practice dharma. There is also a blood donation organized by the Thai Red Cross.
Visakah Puja and Buddha’s Cremation Remembrance Day
On Visakah Puja, the day of the Budda’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, monks and disciples perform chanting and triple circumambulation.
On Visakah Puja, the day of the Budda’s birth, enlightenment, and passing, monks and disciples perform chanting and triple circumambulation.
The eighth day after Visakah Puja represents the day of the Buddha’s cremation. Recitation of a mantra about the Buddha’s footprints, merit-making, and triple circumambulation are performed.
June
Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s Birthday, June 3Monks and disciples chant mantras in honor of Her Majesty. Merit dedication is also performed.
The Supreme Patriarch’s Birthday, June 26
Chantings and merit-making are done as dedication to the twentieth Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
Chantings and merit-making are done as dedication to the twentieth Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
June
Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s Birthday, June 3Monks and disciples chant mantras in honor of Her Majesty. Merit dedication is also performed.
The Supreme
Patriarch’s Birthday, June 26
Chantings and merit-making are done as dedication to the twentieth Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
Patriarch’s Birthday, June 26
Chantings and merit-making are done as dedication to the twentieth Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
July
Asalha Puja DayChanting and triple circumambulation are held to commemorate the day of the Buddha’s first preaching.
Buddhist Lent Day
Locals and Buddhist followers make candle and robe offerings to monks who will spend their rain retreat at the monastery.
Locals and Buddhist followers make candle and robe offerings to monks who will spend their rain retreat at the monastery.
King Rama X’s Birthday, June 28
Monks and disciples chant mantras in honor of His Majesty. Merit dedication is also performed.
Monks and disciples chant mantras in honor of His Majesty. Merit dedication is also performed.
July
Asalha Puja DayChanting and triple circumambulation are held to commemorate the day of the Buddha’s first preaching.
Buddhist Lent Day
Locals and Buddhist followers make candle and robe offerings to monks who will spend their rain retreat at the monastery.
Locals and Buddhist followers make candle and robe offerings to monks who will spend their rain retreat at the monastery.
King Rama X’s Birthday, June 28
Monks and disciples chant mantras in honor of His Majesty. Merit dedication is also performed.
Monks and disciples chant mantras in honor of His Majesty. Merit dedication is also performed.
August
Mother’s Day, August 12Disciples gather to honor mothers and dedicate merit to Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. It is her birthday.
October
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, October 23The monastery holds a dharma and meditation retreat from October 21-23 as a merit-making activity for King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V).
The End of Buddhist Lent
Monks who took rain retreat at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness conclude their lent; locals come to offer alms.
Monks who took rain retreat at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness conclude their lent; locals come to offer alms.
August
Mother’s Day, August 12Disciples gather to honor mothers and dedicate merit to Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. It is her birthday.
October
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day, October 23The monastery holds a dharma and meditation retreat from October 21-23 as a merit-making activity for King Chulalongkorn the Great (Rama V).
The End of Buddhist Lent
Monks who took rain retreat at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness conclude their lent; locals come to offer alms.
Monks who took rain retreat at the Forest Monastery of Her Royal Highness conclude their lent; locals come to offer alms.
November
Kathina Ceremony and Loy Kratong DayAttendees recite mantras and float flower baskets (loy kratong). Some years, an annual kathina ceremony is held on the same day.