Full Moon Day of Waso in Myanmar in 2024

Full Moon Day of Waso in Myanmar in 2024
  How long until Full Moon Day of Waso?
Full Moon Day of Waso
  Dates of Full Moon Day of Waso in Myanmar
2025 Myanmar Thu, Jul 10 National Holiday
2024 Myanmar Sat, Jul 20 National Holiday
2023 Myanmar Tue, Aug 1 National Holiday
2022 Myanmar Tue, Jul 12 National Holiday
2021 Myanmar Fri, Jul 23 National Holiday
  Summary

Marks the start of Buddhist lent and the anniversary of Buddha's first sermon on the Four Noble Truths

When is Full Moon Day of Waso?

Also known as Dhammasetkya Day, this public holiday in Myanmar takes place on the full moon day of Waso, the fourth month in the Burmese calendar. It usually falls in July in the Western calendar.

Depending on the day of the week that the full moon falls on, extra public holidays may be declared on the other days of the festival.

History of Full Moon Day of Waso

This day, the first full moon of the fourth month in the Burmese calendar, commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon to five monks in the Deer Park in Benares, India and the founding of the Buddhist sangha (monkhood) about 2,500 years ago.

In the sermon, which is known as 'Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion', the Buddha first spelled out the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Waso Full Moon Day marks the beginning of Buddhist lent (Wasso), which generally coincides with the height of Myanmar’s rainy season. Buddhist Lent last for three months from the full moon of Waso until the full moon of Thadingyut. It is normally a time of heightened religious activity around the country. Pilgrims throughout the country gather wild flowers to offer at pagodas, and offer new robes to monks. Almost all monks will not leave the grounds of their monastery during this time.

During the period of Buddhist Lent, many Buddhists will abstain from eating meat, drinking alcohol or smoking. It is also traditionally a time when Myanmar people are not allowed to move house.


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