Lunar Observation Days for 2010 & Major Buddhist Observance Days

The information below is obtained from the downloadable calendar from Amarati Monastery. To download the free calendar, kindly visit
http://www.urbandharma.org/udharma6/2004cal.html

THE MAJOR FULL-MOON DAYS OF 2010 (Buddhist year 2553/54)

• February 28 (Sunday)- Magha Puja (‘Sangha Day’)- Commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1250 arahants, to whom the Buddha gave the exhortation on the basis of the discipline (Ovada Patimokkha).
• May 28 (Friday)- Vesakha Puja (Wesak) (‘Buddha Day’)- Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.
• July 26 (Monday)- Asalha Puja (‘Dhamma Day’)- Commemorates the Buddha’s first discourse, given to the five samanas in the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. The traditional Rainy-Season Retreat (Vassa) begins on the next day.
• October 23 (Saturday)- Pavarana Day- This marks the end of the three-month Vassa-retreat. In the following month, lay people may offer the Kathina-robe as part of a general alms-giving ceremony.
  

Lunar Observation Days for 2010/ 2553

• January: 8 (Fri), 15 (Fri), 23 (Sat), 30 (Sat)
• February: 7 (Sun), 13 (Sat), 21 (Sun), 28 (Sun- also Magha Puja Day)
• March: 8 (Mon), 15 (Mon), 23 (Tue), 30 (Tue)
• April: 7 (Wed), 12 (Tue), 21 (Wed), 28 (Wed)
• May: 6 (Thu), 13 (Thu), 21 (Fri), 28 (Fri- also Vesakha Puja)
• June: 5 (Sat), 11 (Fri), 19 (Sat), 26 (Sat)
• July: 4 (Sun), 11 (Sun), 19 (Mon), 26 (Mon)
• August: 3 (Tue), 10 (Tue), 18 (Wed), 25 (Wed)
• September: 2 (Tue), 8 (Wed), 16 (Thu), 23 (Wed)
• October: 1 (Fri), 8 (Fri), 16 (Sat), 23 (Sat), 31 (Sun)
• November: 6 (Sat), 14 (Sun), 21 (Sun), 29 (Mon)
• December: 6 (Mon), 14 (Tue), 21 (Tue), 29 (Wed)
  
  

In Thailand, laypeople may choose to observe the 8 precepts during any of the observation day above. They may visit a monastery and stay there- sometimes for a few days to observe the 8 precepts.