Sangha Day Magha Puja-Makha Bucha Buddhist Festival in India
Sangha Day is a day in the month of February that is dedicated to honouring the Sangha, or the disciples of the faith. After the three month meditation which saw the enlightenment of many disciples and left the Buddha highly pleased, he arrived at the city of Rajagaha. Seeing how his arrival in the city was unprecedented, the gathering of over 1200 arahats (high priests) to pay him respect was also entirely unprecedented and spontaneous. Looking at the huge numbers that had gathered, the Buddha delivered Patimokkha sermon. Since it falls in the month of Magh according to the Indian calendar, this day is also known as Magha Puja day.
Why it is Called The Magha Puja Day/Four Fold Sangha/Sangha Day
This assembly had four distinct features.
- First, all those 1250 who gathered were Arahants.
- Secondly, they were all ordained by the Buddha himself.
- Thirdly, all of them gathered on their own without any prior invation from the Buddha.
- And lastly the gathering took place on the full moon day of Magha month (March).
Because of these features, the festival is also known as the Fourfold Assembly, Magha Puja Day or the Sangha Day.
Siginificance of the Festival
The festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Buddhist community. The festival honours the Sangha, or the Buddhist community and offers a chance to the people to reaffirm their faith and commitment to Buddhist practices and traditions.
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