Lao Buddhist Society of Hawaii

SPECIAL EVENTS

Major Events

The Society organizes nine special events annually. For the Laotian community in Hawaii, all these events are held at the Jarrette Intermediate School located on Palolo Avenue. Two of the nine events may, however, be regarded as major, since they area celebrated not only Jarrette,but also at Kunia farm, and open to general public. The first is the Lao new year festival known as SONGKRAN. This events falls in mid - April every year in the Theravadin counties of Southeast Asia according to the lunar calendar used in these nations. The program usually consist of the monks chanting to welcome in the new year, with the lay Laotians taking Sabbath or the five precepts. At the Kunia farm, the Buddhist ceremonies are usually followed by a concert on stage. Indigenous Laotian and other Southeast Asian foods are sold in stalls set up by Laotian and other cateres/restaurants of Oahu. The profit from selling food is donated to the Society's temple.

To the extent possible, traditional practices for the Songkran are being followed in Hawaii despite the differences in the conditions existing from Laos. It is the custom at the beginning of 'Songkran' to wash or bathe the Buddha images with scented water. It is also the practice for lay people to celebrate occasion by pouring water, usually scented, on each other, this action being symbolic of "washing out" the old year and welcoming in the new one with a clean body and mind. At Sand Island, the Society's members would accomplish these practices by building a triangular sand mountain Symbolizing Buddha , Dhamma, and Sangha, after which the people would throw water on each other. Other conventions include the young paying respect to parents, grandparents, and older folks; in return, the elders offer blessings as well as give presents, including money to the young.

The other major event that the Society celebrates annually also takes place at the Kunia farm in Honolulu. It occurs in November, a time of harvest and thanksgiving in Laos, after a month's respite from the end of the Buddhist Lent in October. In Vientiane, the capital of Laos, this joyous festival takes place at the holiest place in that country, the THAT LUANG PAGODA. It is the festival of lights whereby the whole of the capital city is lighted up with all kinds of colorful lights, lanterns, torches, electricity, and oil lamps. In Hawaii, the THAT LUANG festival, celebrated at Kunia farm, provides yet another occasion for the general public to participate and the Society to raise funds. This event follows the same procedures as for Songkran mentioned above, except that these is no pouring water among themselves by the people.

Other Occasions

Annually, there are six other occasions when the Society celebrates Buddhist events. These are held at Jarrette Intermediate School, located on Palolo Avenue. The importance of these affairs lies in the fact that they afford the Laotian community to meet face at regular intervals to practice together traditional religious rites as well as to have a social gathering.

No. Name of Celebration Month Occasion, Significance

Makhapuja March, 2,500 Bhikkhus met fortuitously on the full-moon day, and Sakyamuni expounded the PATIMOKHA, the rules of the order.
SONGKRAN April, Buddhist New Year based on lunar calendar, min-April
Visakha May, Sakyamuni Buddha Birthday,
Khaophansa July, Beginning of Buddhist Lent - Vassa
khaophadapdin September, Ceremony of remembering dead people.
Salaphatta/khao-Salaka September, Bhikkhus offer homage to Sakyamuni.
Ok Phan Sa October, End of Lent.
THAT LUANG Festival November, festival of the most sacred Pagoda in Laos.
New Year Blessing ceremony December, New year Blessing (Tak Bath)