Called the "Full Moon of Tabaung" or "Tabodwe Full Moon Day" in Myanmar, Magha Puja (also spelled Makha Bucha) is an important Buddhist festival that occurs on the full moon day of the month of Magha in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand.
It occurs in the Gregorian calendar on February or March.
The feast of Magha Puja venerates the Buddha and his teachings.
It commemorates the anniversary of four marvelous events that occurred on the same day at Veluvana Bamboo Grove.
1,250 disciples came to see Gautama Buddha from different places on their own initiative and without a prior arrangement.
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All of them were arhats (those who have achieved enlightenment),
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and all were ordained by the Buddha himself.
Gautama Buddha gave the 1,250 arhats the three principles of Buddhism:
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to cease from all evil,
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to do what is good,
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and to cleanse one's mind.
It was the day of the full moon.
All these auspicious occasions happened ten months after the Buddha's Enlightenment.
Magha Puja is a traditional merit-making day when Buddhists go to temples for special observances and other activities.
On the occasion, Buddhist temples hold candlelight processions.
In some cities, large pagoda festivals are organized.
