Tak Bat Thewo is the term used for merit making at the end of the Buddhist Lent. According to Buddhist legend, after Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment in the seventh year of his spiritual quest, he ascended to heaven to live and gave a sermon to his mother who was residing in another heaven.

On the first crescent moon night of the eleventh lunar month, Lord Buddha finally returned to Earth. The Pali word for this event is Thewo Rohana, Buddhists make offerings to Lord Buddha at this time.

In later years, Buddhists made offerings to Lord Buddha and monks at the end of Buddhist Lent, and the ritual was shortened to Tak Bat Thewo.

Legend says that when Lord Buddha came down to Earth, humans, angels and animals were able to see their true selves, and on that day any punishment meted out to animals from hell was postponed. It was a day of peace in the 3 worlds, known as “The Day God Opened up the World.” People have made offerings with Khao Tom Luk Yon since then.

Wat Phra Putthachai

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