Meak Bochea is an important holiday celebrated by Buddhists in Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. It takes place on the full moon day of the third lunar month each year, and this year it fell on Valentine's Day. The day pays tribute to a famous impromptu speech given by Buddha 2500 years ago in front of 1,250 monks. Buddha explained the key aspects of Buddhism which include: doing good deeds, not harming people or the environment, and purifying the mind. Remarkably, he also announced that he would die three months later on his birthday. And he did.
The holiday provides the opportunity for Buddhists to reflect on his teachings, make merit, and repent their sins. People go to the pagodas, pray, and give food to the monks. Cynthia and I visited our local temple where an enormous golden Buddha statue overlooks the village. This monastery is the source of the Buddhist chanting I hear every morning beginning at 4:20 a.m. They emit it over loudspeakers, so the entire town can enjoy the early morning wake-up call.
We climbed the long series of short, Cambodian-style steps which are lined with long blue nagas (snakes) along the railings. Colorful prayer flags (strips of cloth) are strung alongside and flutter in the breeze.
A natural cave in the mountainside houses a typical Buddhist shrine. Lurking just beyond in adjacent caverns is eerie darkness and the ominous screeching of bats.
One room showcases dozens of scenes of Buddha's life. My favorite is the image of his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
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