Enjoying the Burmese' New Year Festival!

There will be 'Traditional Mon New Year Festival.' in Mon Buddhist temple 6505 Decature RD., Fort Wayne on April.16 and 17.


We know 'Burmese' refers to the nation of Burma. But that's common wrong knowledge. In Burma, there are several different kinds of ethnic group. 'Mon' is one of the ethnic groups.


The Mon Youth Organization' is going to host this festival. If you go there, you can experience Burma's culture. Actually, since in Burma now, very hot, they are spreading water to each other to celebrate New Year day and away the summer hot. But since Fort Wayne is kind of chilly, spreading water is not going to be happen. 
Also, there will be lots of Burma's traditional foods and games. And since the main religion in Burma is Buddhism, there will be also ceremonies of Buddhism such as Dharma truth of Buddhism.


Traditionally, before noon, Youths usually offer alms to the monks and their parents who are observing the precept at the temple. In the afternoon they pour water each other. In the evening, they respectfully return to the temple and Buddhist moment for lighting incense and candle to pay their homage to clear off what they had been done from the past to be gone and be better for the future.


Here are the schedules for the 'Traditional Mon New Year Festival'


The 'Traditional Mon New Year Festival', May, 16 on Saturday.
10:30a.m. - Receiving precepts
11:00a.m. - offering alms to the Buddhist monk and continuously serving variety of delicious food to the guest.
1:00p.m. - Traditional games, Sankran New Year Dance and Live Music Band. 
8:00p.m. - Sankran - Dhamma - Talk


The 'Traditional Mon New Year Festival', May, 17 on Sunday
Receiving Precepts
Offering alms to the member of the Mon Buddhist Monks and luncheon time. 
1:00pm - Special respect and gifts for the elder, New Year chanting and merit sharing.
2:00p.m. - New Year bath of the Buddha statue and the Sangha followed by Sangkran Bath of Love celebrated by all New Year participant.
4:00 p.m. - Prize giving ceremony for the winner of the 1373 Mon New Year Game.
5:00 p.m. - Bring Blessed.


Come and enjoy it !