During the 7th Buddhist Lent after the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment, he ascended to the Tavatimsa Realm (the second floor of heaven) to spend the rainy season. Over the following three months, he preached the Abhidhamma Pitaka to his mother and enabled her to attain the fruit of Sotapanna. As the Buddhist Lent came to an end on the 15th day of the waxing moon, in the 11th lunar month, the Lord Buddha descended from the Tavatimsa heaven to Sankassa town in present-day Farrukhabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India, on the next day, which was the 1st day of the 11th lunar month.
On that significant day, the Lord Buddha uncovered the Human Realm with the Buddha-Powers unveiled the three spheres of existence to allow Brahma Beings, Celestial Beings, Human beings, Hell Beings, Animals, Petas (hungry ghosts), and Asurakayas to see each other. Witnessing this miraculous event, they were filled with immense joy and aspired to attain Buddhahood themselves. Even the humblest creatures, like ants, aspired to follow the Buddha’s path. This event, visible for humans within a radius of 36 Yojana or 576 km, is commemorated as “Buddha Opening the World Day”.
The spectacle of the Lord Buddha descending on stairs made of crystal, accompanied by Celestial Beings on gold stairs and Brahma Beings on silver stairs, was a moment of great unity and celebration. People eagerly welcomed him, offering alms to the Lord Buddha and monks. This act of giving alms on that specific day became known as the “Devorohana alms-giving ceremony”. Later, the Lord Buddha delivered a Dhamma sermon that led many humans and Celestial Beings to attain the Threefold Refuge.
In Thailand, certain temples celebrate this day by having laypeople dress up as angels and Brahmins, bringing Buddha images to be enshrined on Busaboks (a movable castle in reduced size) with movable wheels. A line of people offers alms to the monks as a way of remembering the Buddha. The people often offered Khao Tom Mud or Khao Tom Luk Yon (Coconut Sticky Rice and Banana wrapped with Banana Leaf or Coconut Leaf) on this day.
The upcoming Devorohana alms-giving ceremony at Cape Town Meditation Centre is scheduled for Sunday, 29 October 2023, from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM. The day will commence with a meditation session at 10:00 AM. You are cordially invited to partake in the event and acquaint yourself with Thai Buddhist culture. You are welcome to bring dry food, snacks, water, or any necessary items. Kindly dress in white attire or other appropriate clothing.
