PHL Embassy in Thailand closed on March 7

The Philippine embassy in Thailand will be closed on Wednesday to observe Makha Bucha Day, a Bhuddist holiday.   "The Embassy will be closed to the public on Wednesday, 7 March 2012, in observance of Makha Bucha Day," it said in announcement posted on its website.   Makha Bucha Day commemorates two separate events that occurred on the same date 45 years apart during Buddha's lifetime 2,500 years ago.   According to an article on the Royal Thai Consulate General in Vancouver, the first event was the coming together of 1,250 monks from all locations and directions, to meet and be ordained by the Buddha.   The second event, which occurred 45 years later, was the Buddha delivering his teachings shortly before his death, it said.   "Both of these events occurred on the day of the full moon of the third lunar month, a month known in the Buddhist Pali language as 'Makha.' The 'Bucha,' also a Pali word, means to venerate or to honor," it explained. "Thus, Makha Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the full moon day of the third lunar month," it added.   Makha Bucha Day is a highly ceremonial event only recently revived as part of Thai Buddhist tradition. - VVP, GMA News