Yi Peng festival
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Yi Peng, also spelled Yee Peng, is a traditional Lan Na festival celebrated in Northern Thailand. It is a festival of lights, deeply rooted in Theravada Buddhism, and is celebrated for three days, cul
Floating lanterns (khom loi) over Chiang Mai during Yi Peng
Releasing sky lanterns in Wiang Tha Kan, San Pa Tong district.
Painting of the celestial stupa Cūḷāmaṇi Cetiya in Trāyastriṃśa.
The floating of krathong rafts during Loy Krathong and Yi Peng, which are now celebrated together as a multi-day festival in Chiang Mai.
Merit (Buddhism)
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Merit is a concept considered fundamental to Buddhist ethics. It is a beneficial and protective force which accumulates as a result of good deeds, acts, or thoughts. Merit-making is important to Buddh
Giving helps to overcome selfishness and stills the mind; it prepares the mind for the practice of virtue.
Merit is a "beneficial and protective force which extends over a long period of time" (Terwiel)—and is the effect of good deeds.
The main concept of the field of merit is that good deeds done towards some recipients accrue more merit than good deeds to other recipients. This is compared with a seed planted in fertile ground, which reaps more and better fruits than in infertile ground.
In Thailand and Laos, a yearly festival is held, focused on the Vessantara Jātaka, a story of a previous life of the Buddha which is held sacred.