THE DYNAMICS OF ASALHA PUJA DAY IN THE MODERN ERA

Abstract

Abstract

This academic article aims to examine the dynamics of Asalha Puja Day within the context of contemporary Thai society by analyzing the transformations in religious rituals and values in Buddhism. The study finds that Asalha Puja Day is a highly significant occasion in the Buddhist tradition, observed on the full moon of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, delivered to the five ascetics, which marked the establishment of the monastic community and the completion of the Triple Gem—Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. Thailand officially designated Asalha Puja as a national Buddhist holiday in 1958, and it has been recognized as a public holiday since 1962. Religious observances are conducted at various levels, including royal ceremonies, monastic rites, and communal activities. The article highlights the development of rituals associated with Asalha Puja from their origins in royal tradition to widespread participation among laypeople, with local temples serving as centers for the transmission of faith and the promotion of moral values. In the digital era—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic—these rituals have undergone significant changes, including virtual candlelight processions, online Dhamma teachings, and digital merit-making platforms. These adaptations have affected Buddhist faith in three dimensions: the reduction of shared spiritual experience, the expansion of doctrinal access through digital means, and increased flexibility in religious expression, reflecting the adaptability of faith in contemporary society. The article posits that Asalha Puja Day in the modern era transcends its role as a religious observance, becoming a "space for contemporary moral learning" that reflects the evolving dynamics of Buddhism in Thai cultural life.