Rab Bua: Thailand’s Lotus Throwing Festival
Contents
Introduction
Parades are a global tradition, celebrated across cultures for a variety of purposes, whether to honor religious events, commemorate historical milestones, or simply bring communities together in joy and festivity. Each parade, from the grandiose to the intimate, offers its own unique features and creativity that reflect the character and values of the community. In Thailand, one such remarkable tradition is a unique water-based parade that blends spirituality, cultural heritage, and vibrant celebration. This event is known the Lotus Throwing Festival, or Praphaenee Rab Bua (ประเพณีรับบัว). Unlike many other parades that take place on land, this one unfolds along the serene waters of the Samrong Canal in Samut Prakan province, where thousands gather to throw lotus flowers in a symbolic offering to a revered Buddha image, making it a festival unlike any other.
Photo Cr. Mcot Digital
What is the Lotus Throwing Festival?
The Lotus Throwing Festival, or Praphaenee Rab Bua (ประเพณีรับบัว), is a unique and old tradition celebrated by the people of Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan province, Thailand. The festival is rooted in Buddhist beliefs and involves the symbolic offering of lotus flowers, which are deeply associated with purity and reverence in Thai culture. The name “Rab Bua,” meaning “to receive the lotus,” reflects the central ritual of the event, where participants throw lotus flowers toward a Buddha image paraded along the Samrong Canal. The act of throwing these lotus flowers is believed to bring good fortune and spiritual merit to participants. The festival embodies the spirit of community and religious devotion, with a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, dancing, and offerings.
The Lotus Throwing Festival is typically held during the waxing phase of the moon in the 11th month of the traditional Thai lunar calendar, which falls in the month of October in the Western calendar. The celebration occurs over two days, starting on the 13th day of the waxing moon and continuing through the 14th day of the waxing moon. It takes place primarily at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, an important temple located along the Samrong Canal.
Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai
Photo Cr. thetrippacker
Origin Stories
There are three main stories about the origin of the Lotus Throwing Festival, each reflecting the cultural blending in the Bang Phli region. The first story suggests that the festival dates back to a time when three groups—Thai, Mon, and Lao people—lived together in the area. As they cleared land for farming, these groups decided to part ways and establish their own communities along different canals. Before the Mon people left, they collected lotus flowers to offer to the Buddha at their new settlement. They asked the remaining Thai residents to continue gathering lotus flowers for them every year, and thus began the tradition of throwing the flowers to one another as a symbol of friendship and shared faith.
People collecting lotus flowers
Photo Cr. MGR Online
The second story recounts how the Mon, who were devout Buddhists, would return to their homeland at Phra Pradaeng (another large Mon settlement in Thailand) to make merit and offer lotus flowers during religious ceremonies. The Thai locals, seeing this repeated practice, began preparing the flowers for them in advance. Over time, this act of kindness and cooperation became formalized, with the Mon collecting the flowers each year while singing and celebrating along the waterways
A third story focuses on the abundance of lotus flowers in Bang Phli during the past. Neighboring communities, particularly from Phra Pradaeng and Samut Prakan, would come to Bang Phli to collect these flowers for their Buddhist ceremonies during the end of Buddhist Lent. The locals, in their generosity, would gather the flowers and offer them to their visitors. This tradition evolved into the ceremonial act of throwing lotus flowers during the festival, symbolizing merit-making and the community’s reverence for Buddhism.
Despite differing opinions on the origins of the Lotus Throwing Festival, the common thread throughout all versions is the significance of the lotus flower in Buddhist culture and the deep-rooted tradition of offering it as an act of devotion. Additionally, the festival reflects the values of generosity and goodwill, as seen in the practice of preparing and gifting lotus flowers from one community to another. This spirit of giving, whether between the Thai and Mon people or among neighboring districts, underscores the festival’s emphasis on unity and mutual respect. The Lotus Throwing Festival thus highlights the interconnectedness of faith, community, and cultural heritage in Bang Phli, transcending its specific origin story, and serves as a powerful expression of generosity and devotion.
Activities During the Festival
The Lotus Throwing Festival spans two days, each day offering its own unique activities. The first day, which falls on the 13th day of the waxing moon of the 11th lunar month, is marked by preparations and social gatherings. Local residents of Bang Phli and visitors from nearby provinces gather along the banks of the Samrong Canal, preparing lotus flowers to be used in the upcoming ceremonies. As the evening approaches, traditional music fills the air, accompanied by dancing. The atmosphere is vibrant and festive, with food and drink shared among participants. This day serves as a time for the community to come together in celebration and anticipation of the main event.
The highlight of the Lotus Throwing Festival occurs on the 14th day of the waxing moon of 11th lunar month. In the early morning, devotees gather at Wat Bang Phli Yai Nai, where the revered image of Luang Pho To, a sacred Buddha statue, is placed on a beautifully decorated boat. This boat is then paraded along the Samrong Canal, giving devotees the opportunity to pay their respects by throwing lotus flowers towards the image. Participants line both sides of the canal, waiting for the boat to pass. The throwing of the lotus flowers is a symbolic act, believed to bring spiritual blessings to those who successfully land their offerings on the boat or near the Buddha image. Throughout the morning, the canal is filled with boats of all sizes, as both locals and visitors partake in the tradition of giving and receiving flowers.
Photo Cr. ธรรมะไทย
In addition to the central lotus-throwing ritual, the festival includes various activities such as boat races and competitions. The boat races, while informal, are a fun and competitive element of the festival, with participants racing along the canal after the conclusion of the lotus offering. These races do not follow strict rules, with participants often challenging one another spontaneously, making the event lively and engaging. Alongside these races, there are also beauty pageants, traditional performances, and displays of local crafts, further adding to the festive atmosphere.
By the end of the festival, the canal and surrounding areas are brimming with joy, music, and community spirit. The activities that take place during the Lotus Throwing Festival not only honor Buddhist traditions but also strengthen bonds within the community, preserving a cultural heritage that has been passed down for generations.
Values Behind the Celebration
The Lotus Throwing Festival reflects many deep-rooted values of Thai culture, with reverence for Buddhism at its core. The act of offering lotus flowers, a symbol of purity and enlightenment, is central to this celebration. In Thai Buddhist tradition, the lotus represents the human journey toward spiritual awakening, with the flower emerging from murky waters to bloom beautifully on the surface. This symbolism is mirrored in the festival, as participants throw lotus flowers toward the Buddha image, expressing their desire for spiritual growth and merit-making. The meticulous care taken by the local community in preparing the lotus flowers and the sacredness of the procession with the Buddha image demonstrate the importance of Buddhist faith in daily life and community events. The festival serves as a reminder of the ongoing connection between the people and their religion, reinforcing values such as merit-making, respect for the Buddha, and communal worship.
Beyond its religious aspects, the festival embodies the vibrant and joyous spirit of Thai people. It is not just a solemn religious event but also a time for celebration, filled with music, dancing, and boat races. The lively atmosphere, where locals and visitors come together to sing, dance, and share food, reflects the warmth, hospitality, and friendliness that are characteristic of Thai culture. These gatherings are an opportunity for the community to bond and reconnect, creating a joyful environment that contrasts with the often more solemn Buddhist rituals. The inclusivity and sense of fun that permeate the event speak to the Thai people’s love for celebration and their ability to blend reverence with festivity. This harmony between spiritual devotion and lively festivity is a defining feature of the Thai cultural landscape.
Photo Cr. ธรรมะไทย
The festival also reflects the cultural openness and harmony that have long been a part of Thai society. One of the festival’s origin stories emphasizes the cooperation between Thai, Mon, and Lao people who lived together in the Bang Phli area. These diverse ethnic groups worked together to clear land and sustain their communities, and this collaboration gave rise to the tradition of lotus offering. The Mon people, in particular, played a significant role in establishing the festival’s customs, and over time, the local Thai community embraced and maintained these traditions, continuing to gather and offer lotus flowers even after the Mon people returned to their homeland. This narrative of shared cultural practices highlights the peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between different ethnic groups in Thailand—a theme that resonates not only in Bang Phli but across the country, where various ethnicities and religions live side by side in harmony.
The openness and inclusivity demonstrated in the Lotus Throwing Festival are representative of a broader Thai cultural identity, one that values the blending of traditions and the creation of shared cultural practices. The festival stands as a symbol of how communities in Thailand have historically navigated diversity, using cultural celebrations as a means of fostering unity and respect among different groups. Whether it is through religious rituals, joyful festivities, or mutual respect for different backgrounds, the values expressed in the Lotus Throwing Festival offer a snapshot of the Thai way of life, one that is steeped in spirituality, joy, and openness.
Conclusion
The Lotus Throwing Festival is a remarkable celebration that beautifully captures the essence of Thai culture through its blend of religious devotion, joyous festivity, and cultural openness. Held annually in October in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan, this unique festival centers around the offering of lotus flowers to a revered Buddha image, symbolizing purity and spiritual merit. The lively atmosphere, filled with music, dancing, boat races, and communal bonding, reflects the warmth and friendliness of the Thai people, making it not only a sacred event but also a vibrant celebration of life and community. The festival’s origins, rooted in cooperation between different ethnic groups, further showcase the spirit of harmony and inclusivity that Thailand is known for.
For those who seek to experience a one-of-a-kind cultural event, the Lotus Throwing Festival offers a glimpse into Thailand’s rich traditions and values. Whether you are drawn by the spiritual significance of the lotus offering or the lively festivities along the Samrong Canal, the festival is a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural heart of Thailand. If you ever find yourself in Thailand during October, don’t miss the chance to visit Bang Phli and be part of this extraordinary celebration.
The story of the “Lotus Throwing Festival” is a vibrant snippet in the compendium of Thai culture and heritage. The festival demonstrates Buddhist beliefs, harmony between communities, as well as the joyous spirit of the Thai people. Join us in exploring more stories of Thailand and its people, as we take you on a journey to discover the essence of Thainess.
*This article was written with the help of AI
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Sources
- Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture
- Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Author: Tayud Mongkolrat
10 October 2024