The festival of pouring water on Bo trees

The festival of pouring water on Bo trees

= Dr Aung Than Win (OS) =

Kason is the second month in Myanmar calendar during which the festival of pouring water on Bo trees is observed in every part of the country. Temperatures are high in this month, which can also be said the hottest period of the year in many parts of Myanmar. The burning sun has dried up many lakes and streams especially in the central arid zone. The Visākhā star is radiant in this month and the seasonal flowers are Champac (cakawar), ingin and kantkaw. According to Myanmar Zodiac it’s in the period of Pyeittha (Taurus) whose sign is the leading bull of the herd.

The full moon day of Kason is deeply intertwined with the milestones in the Buddhas life. Once on this day Dipankara Buddha prophesied to the hermit Sumedha that he would become Gotama Buddha. And on this day also Bodhisatta Siddhatta was born in Mahā era 68, and attained enlightenment in Mahā era 103, thus becoming omniscience. After teaching and disseminating Dhamma or Buddhist doctrines for 45 years, He entered Nibbāna on this very same day in Mahā era 148. Hence, the full moon day of Kason is so sacred and important for Buddhist devotees.

Truly the sacred Bo Tree or the Mahābodhi tree provided shelter and accommodation for Buddha to attain enlightenment. So, Buddhists regard Bo tree as highly revered since it was an incredibly helpful aid for Buddha. In this regard, Buddhists annually observe the day as a signifi cant religious Day on which they gather at monasteries, temples and pagodas pouring water on Bo trees, keeping Sabbath and doing meritorious deeds en masse.

According to some treatises, the tradition of pouring water on Bo trees began even during the life time of Buddha. Lay people came and paid respect to Buddha at Jetavana monastery. But during the times when Buddha was visiting other places devotees could not have the chance to seek Dhamma from Him. Therefore the Buddha brought seeds of original Bo tree for planting new Bo trees which would represent Him during his absence. The Buddha entered the state of Nirod has amāpatti one night under Bo tree which sprouted and developed immediately because of His miraculous power. King Pasenadī Kosala, Anā thapia, Visākhā and other lay people donated daily offertories such as flowers, lights and fragrance and meals. The King and his subjects poured water on Bo tree in a gala procession and in a festive way in the driest month of Kason to protect it from withering under the scorching sun and intense heat. In this way the festival of pouring water on sacred Bo trees came into being.

Pouring water on Bo trees is not just a seasonal festival. It is a holy occasion observed with solemn religious significance. A stone inscription at Saw La Wun pagoda testifies that people in Myanmar were pouring water on Bo trees in the month of Kason since the Bagan period. People in every Theravâda Buddhist country celebrate this festival with solemn objectives as the day is four times blessed. Lay people who pour water on Bo trees received the five precepts from monks who also recite parittas for peace and prosperity of mankind. Afterwards devotees gently pour water which is mixed with fragrance on Bo tree from every corner. Therefore the full moon day of Kason is very important for Buddhist devotees and the day is also marked as Buddha Day by the United Nations.

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