Magha Puja · Life Release

Today marks the full moon of the lunar month Magha, a day in which many Buddhists across the world celebrate. This holy day marks the occasion the Buddha gave a teaching to a spontaneous meeting of 1250 monks — you can read more about the significance of Magha Puja on the Lanna Thai Traditional Medicine blog.

Children release fish from the market back into the river to protect their lives — a cherished practice of the Buddhadhamma.

Good acts on a full moon and holy day such as this are increasingly meritorious. A group of practitioners in Central Thailand purchased many dozens of fish and eels from the local market and released them back into the waters where they came from, saving them from the fate of becoming the food of another.

This act of generosity — protecting life — is practice rooted in non-harming, a main focus of the teaching the Buddha shared on this day.

Not to do any evil;

Sabbapapassa akaranam,

to embrace the good;

kusalassa upasampada;

to purify one's mind:

Sacittapariyodapanam,

this is the instruction of the Buddhas.

etam buddhana sasanam.

Patient acceptance is the ultimate fervor.

Khanti paramam tapo titikkhä,

Extinguishment is the ultimate, say the Buddhas.

Nibbanam paramam vadanti buddha;

No true renunciate injures another,

Na hi pabbajito parupaghati,

nor does an ascetic hurt another.

Na samano hoti param vihethayanto.

Not speaking ill nor doing harm;

Anüpavado anüpaghato,

restraint in the monastic code;

Patimokkhe ca samvaro;

moderation in eating;

Mattaññuta ca bhattasmim,

staying in remote lodgings;

Pantañca sayanāsanam;

commitment to the higher mind -

Adhicitte ca ayogo,

this is the instruction of the Buddhas.

We rejoice in the merit and practice of all who helped, made donations and participated!

The donations received from Triple Wisdom Preservation’s online Zoom talks go towards acts of merit like this and making offerings at local temples, as well as supporting practitioners, traditional teachers and preserving the Buddhadhamma. If you’d like to make a donation towards these causes, you are welcome to make an offering below.