2010 Lao New Year Celebration in Fresno, CA.

Lao people celebrate Lao New Year in mid April of every year.   Here are photos from Lao people in Fresno, CA celebrating Lao New Year in Vad Thamma Sajja in Fresno, CA on 17th & 18th April, 2010.  For more photos slide show, please visit the Vad Thamma Sajja's page.

Maakha Buuzaa's Day.

18 Feb, 2011 - The Buddhist holiday of Sangkha Day is called Maakha Buuzaa Day in Buddhism's Teravadii Branch.  It is observed on the full moon of the third lunar month, which is usually the end of February or early March.  In most other parts of Asia, Buddhist observe Sangkha Day about a month later.
Sangkha Day commemorates a day when 1,250 monks, all from different places and on their on initiative, spontaneously came to pay homage to the historical Buddha.
In Pali, Maakha is the name of the third lunar month, and Buuzaa means "to venerate."  On this day, The Teravadii Buddhists gather at sunset in their local temples (Vad) to participate in candlelight processions called Vian Thian.  Ceremonies express appreciation for the order of monks founded by the Buddha and for the Three Jewels -- the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangkha.

                                                            Hluang Puu Vandii Kantasilo

                                     Mahaa Vilad (Front) and other Buddhist Monks having lunch.

                    Mahaa Thavin (White suite) and Jame Lao (to his left) before leaving for India.

                             Vianthian (candlelight processions) is a part of Maakha Buuzaa Day.

                                    Sim at Vad Phomma Jariya Karaam as of 20 February 2011.
                            
             

Building Ubosod (Sim) at Vad Phomma Jariya Karaam in Fresno, CA

Hluangpuu Vandii Kantasilo's 78th Birthday.

20 Feb, 2011.  Hluangpuu Vandii Kantasilo celebrating his 78th birthday.

Hluangpuu Vandii Kantasilo, the Head of Buddhist Reverend of Vad Phomma Jariya Karaam in Fresno, CA.