Buddhist Calendar

B.E.2555 (2011-12 A.D.)

Buddha’s Buddha’s
First Words Last Words

Through W e l l
the round of
many birth in
now, O
Samsāra, I Bhikkhus, I
wandered address and
which would inform you.
enable me to My time has
find him, who
h ave be e n
came to take
seeking the leave of you.
builder of this
house (body). O
To be born Bhikkhus, Of
again and
again is, in-
the nature to
deed painful decay are
and suffering. conditioned
t h i n g s ;
O house- Strive on it
builder! Now
you are seen;
with dili-
you will not gence. Proc-
build a house esses are
again for me. subject to
All your rafters passing
are broken,
your roof tree
away; Be-
and ridge pole came con-
is destroyed. summate
My mind has through the
reached the n o n -
unconditioned
and unformed;
compla-
Has attained cency.
the end of crav-
i n
***
g .
***

Printed :Chakma Royal Forest Monastery

P.O. Rangamati, District: Rangamati Hill District, Pin-4500,
Jummaland (Chittagong Hill Tracts), Bangladesh.
Tel: +880-351-61639 (Office); Tel: +880-351- 62158 (Sangha Office);
Fax: +880-351-61033; E-mail:- rajbanavihar@gmail.com
Website: www.rajbanvihara.org

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

Devagiri Buddhist Temple, Bazar Veng, Tlabung (Demagiri), Lunglei District, Pin– 796751, Mizoram, India
Tel: +91- 3834-222 349; E-mail: cbci2011@gmail.com or cbci@asia.com; Website: www.cbcicharity.org
 Bana Bana
Bhante’s Bhante’s
Words: Words:

“Whateve “Free
r you yourself
achieve, first, and
try to be then free
happy others”.
enough Desana-37
with this”.
Desana-75

“Stopped
birth and
“Struggle death”.
with Desana-50
yours Ig-
norance,
Hatred
and Delu- “Now is
sion for right time
Free- to decide
dom”. your own
destina-
Desana-34 tion be-
fore too
late”.
Founder of Forest Tradition in Bangladesh & Chief Abbot, Chakma Royal Forest Desana-91
Monastery, Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

This 2555 (2011-12) Buddhist Calendar features pictures by a variety of photographers. We are grateful for their gen-
erous contribution. Scriptural quotes from the Pali Canon and the translations are extracts from Dhammapada and Bana Bhanter
Desona (Part I & II). The months of the calendar is written in Pali language. The Calendar is edited and designated by Bhikkhu
Pragya Jyoti (Australia); printing and composing cooperated by Venerable Surojagat Mahathera (Second Abbot , Chakma Royal
Forest Monastery, Rangamati, Bangladesh) and material supplied by Advocate Mrinal Khanti Chakma (Rangamati, Bangladesh).

Lunar Observation Days: These days are remarkable and reflection with rituals and meditation programme in every Monasteries.
The exact dates for the moon phases in this calendar are given according to Universal times and therefore can be differ by a day at
the place where you live.
The Major Full Moon Days

Vesāka Festival (May 17, 2011): Buddha Day; Commemorates the Birth, Enlightenment and Mahaparinibbana of Buddha . It is
also known as Buddhist New Year Day, Buddha Purnima Festival, and Three-Sacred Festival.

Ãsālha Festival (July 15, 2011): Dhamma Day; Commemorates the Buddha's first discourse given to the five ascetics in the Deer
Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. The Three-months Rain Retreat (Vassa) begins for the Sangha community on the next day.

Pavarana Festival (October12, 2011): This marks the end of the three-months Rain Retreat (Vassa). After Pavarana Day, the
Kathina ceremony organise by the lay followers and it last for one month.

Māgha Festival (February 7, 2012): Sangha Day; Commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1250 Arahants, to whom the Bud-
dha gave the exhortation on the basis of the discipline (Ovāda Patimokkhā).

Full Moon New Moon Waxing Moon Waning Moon

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 Long
is the night The mind
wanders
to one who
far and
is wakeful; m o v e s
long is one a b o u t
kilometre alone: it
is non-
to the trav-
material;
eller who is it lies in
tired; long the cave
is Samsāra (chamber
) of the
(round of
hear t.
rebirths) to T h o s e
the fool, who con-
who is ig- trol their
mind will
norant the
be free
Teaching of from the
the Bud- bonds of
dha. Mara.
Dhammapada:
v. 060 Dhammapada:
v.037

1st Vesākha: Buddha Day & Buddhist New Year- commemorates the Birth, Enlight-
enment and Mahaparinibbana of Buddha.

Vesākha (May–June)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Buddhism is
humanistic 1 2 3 4 5 6
Religion. 17 18 19 20 21 22

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
23 24 25 26 27 28 29

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
30 31 1 2 3 4 5

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
6 7 8 9 10 11 12

28 29 30 31
1st = Full Moon, Buddhist New Year, Buddha Purnima
Festival.
13 14 15 8th = Waning Moon, 16th = New Moon
16 24th = Waxing Moon, 30th = Full Moon

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 As the Know-
bee col- ing that this
body is
lects nectar (fragile) like
and flies an earthen jar,
away with- making one's
out damag- mind secure
ing the like a fortified
town, one
flower or its should fight
colour or its Mara with the
scent, so weapon of
also, let the Knowledge.
Bhikkhus (After defeat-
ing Mara) one
dwell and should still
act in the continue to
villag e guard one's
(without af- mind, and feel
fecting the no attachment
to that
faith and which has
generosity been gained
or the (i.e., Jhanā ec-
wealth of stasy and se-
the villag- renity gained
through medi-
ers). tation).

Dhammapada: Dhammapada:
v. 049 v. 040

29th Jettha: Āsālha Festival & Dhamma Day-commemorates the Buddha’s first discourse
given to the five ascetics in the Deer Park at Sarnath, near Varanasi. After discourse became
ordained as bhikkhus. The traditional Rain Retreat ( Vassa ) begins on the next day.

Jettha (June-July)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
7th = Waning Moon, 15th = New Moon,
22nd = Waxing Moon, 1 2 3
29th = Full Moon: Asalha Festival, 17 18 19

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
27 28 29 30 1 2 3

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
4 5 6 7 8 9 10

25 26 27 28 29 30 31
11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 Con- A l l
quer the mental phe-
n o m e n a
angry one
have mind
by not get- as their fore-
ting angry runner; they
(by loving- have mind
kindness); as their
conquer chief; they
are mind-
t h e
made. If one
wicked by speaks or
goodness; acts with a
conquer pure mind,
the stingy happiness
by gener- (Sukhā) fol-
lows him
osity, and
like a
the liar by shadow that
s p e ak i n g n e v e r
the truth. leaves him.

Dhammapada: Dhammapada:
v.223 v. 02

Thai children's renounced the world and became Holy Novi monks in the Monas-
tery and diligently practising meditation after their lunch in Thailand.

Ãsālha(July-August)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
18 19 20 21 22 23 24

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
8 9 10 11 12 13 14

29 30 31 32 6th = Waning Moon, 13th = New Moon,

20th =Waxing Moon,
15 16 17 18 27th = Full Moon

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 Having had L i ke
one who
the taste of picks and
solitude chooses
and the flowers, a
taste of Per- man who
has his
fect Peace mind at-
of Nibbana, tached to
one who sensual
drinks in pleasures
is carried
the joy of away by
the essence Death, just
of the as a great
Dhamma is f l o o d
sweeps
free from away a
fear and sleeping
evil. village.
Late Most Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw played an eminent role at the historic Sixth Dhammapada:
Dhammapada: Buddhist Council was held on 17th May 1954 in Rangoon, Myanmar. He was v. 47
v.205 founded Buddhasasana Nuggaha Association and famous International reputa-
tion Meditation teacher.

Sāvana (Aug-Sep)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
3rd = Waning Moon, 11th = New Moon,
32 17th = Waxing Moon, 1 2 3
19 25th = Full Moon 19 20 21

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
22 23 24 25 26 27 28

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
29 30 31 1 2 3 4

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
5 6 7 8 9 10 11

25 26 27 28 29 30 31
12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 T h e A small portion from Chakma Royal Forest Monastery
scent of flowers
O
cannot go
Bhikkhus, me-
against the diate, and do
wind; nor the not be unmind-
scent of sandal- ful; do not let
wood, nor of your mind re-
rhododendron, joice in sensual
nor of jasmine; pleasures. Do
only the reputa- not be unmind-
tion of good ful and swallow
people can go the (hot) lump
of iron; as you
against the
burn (in
wind. The repu- Niraya) do not
tation of the vir- cry, "This, in-
tuous ones is deed, is suffer-
wafted abroad ing."
in all direc-
tions. There can be no
concentration in
There are the one who lacks
scents of san- wisdom; there
dalwood, rho- can be no wis-
dom in one who
dodendron,
lacks concentra-
lotus and jas- tion. He who has
mine; but the concentration as
scent of virtue well as wisdom
surpasses all is, indeed, close
scents. to Nibbana.
23rd Pottapāda: Pavarana Festival & The Sangha community ended the three-months
Rain Retreat (Vassa). The day, the disciple of Bana bhante headed by Venerable Dhammapada: v. 371 &
Dhammapada:
Nandapal Mahathera going for alms-round in Rangamati. The Kahina Ceremony 372
v. 54 & 55
begin and continue for a month. (photo permitted on 01.05.11)

Pottapāda (Sep-Oct)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Death is
our destiny.
1 2 3 4 5 6
20 21 22 23 24 25

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
26 27 28 29 30 1 2

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
3 4 5 6 7 8 9

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
10 11 12 13 14 15 16

28 29 30 31 1st = Waning Moon, 8th = New Moon,

15th Waxing Moon, 23rd = Full Moon,
17 18 19 20 31st = Waning Moon,

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 The bhik- T h e
khu who Arahant is
controls free from
his mouth moral in-
(speech) toxicants; he
w h o is not at-
sp ea ks tached to
wisely with food. He has
his mind as his object
composed, liberation
who ex- from exis-
plains the tence, i.e.,
meaning Nibbana
and the which is
text of the Void and
Dhamma, Signless. His
— sweet path, like
are the that of birds
words of in the air,
that bhik- cannot be
khu. traced.
Dhammapada: Most Highest His Holiness Dalai Lama, Dharmasala, In- Dhammapada:
v. 363
dia (photo permitted on. 26th April. 2011) v. 093

Assayuja (Oct –Nov)

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
6th = New Moon, 13th = Waxing Moon, 1 2 3
21st = Full Moon, 29th = Waning Moon, 21 22 23

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
24 25 26 27 28 29 30

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
31 1 2 3 4 5 6

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
7 8 9 10 11 12 13

25 26 27 28 29 30 Wise always
14 15 16 17 18 19 in neutral.

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 Look at Him I call
this dressed a Brahmana,
up body, a who knows
mass of past exis-
sores, sup- tences, who
ported (by sees the ce-
b o n e s ) , lestial as well
sickly, a sub- as the lower
ject of many worlds, who
thoughts (of has reached
sensual de- the end of re-
sire). Indeed, births, who,
that body is with Magga
neither per- Insight, has
manent nor become an
enduring. Arahant and
has accom-
This man of plished all
little learning that is to be
grows old like accomplished
an ox; only his for the eradi-
flesh grows cation of
but not his moral defile-
wisdom. ments.

Dhammapada: Most Venerable Ajahn Brahmavamsa, Chief Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery and Dhammapada:
v. 147 & 152 Spiritual Director, Buddhist Society of Western Australia, Australia and interna- v. 423
tional reputation on Meditation master. (photo permitted on 26th April 2011)

Kattikā(Nov-Dec)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

30 6th = New Moon,

21st = Full Moon,
13th = Waxing Moon,
29th = Waning Moon
1
19 20

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
21 22 23 24 25 26 27

9 10 11 12 13 14 15
28 29 30 1 2 3 4

16 17 18 19 20 21 22
5 6 7 8 9 10 11

23 24 25 26 27 28 29
12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 The man
of wisdom Those,
should ad- with mind well
monish oth- -developed in
ers; he the seven Fac-
should give tors of Enlight-
advice and enment, hav-
should pre- ing rid them-
vent others selves of all
from doing craving, re-
wrong; such joice in their
a man is held abandonment
dear by the of attachment.
good; he is Such men,
disliked only with all moral
by the bad. intoxicants
eradicated,
As a and powerful,
mountain of have realized
rock is un- Nibbana in
shaken by this world
wind, so also, ( i . e ., with
the wise are Khandha ag-
unperturbed gregates re-
by blame or maining).
by praise.
Late Most Venerable Ajahn Chah, Thai Forest Meditation Master Dhammapada: v. 89
Dhammapada:
v. 77 & 81
in Thailand. His outstanding International reputation on Forest
Meditation especially to the Western World.

Maggasira (Dec’11-Jan’12)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
All are equal
before the law 1 2 3 4 5 6
of Kamma. 20 21 22 23 24 25

7 8 9 10 11 12 13
26 27 28 29 30 31 1

14 15 16 17 18 19 20
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

21 22 23 24 25 26 27
9 10 11 12 13 14 15

28 29 5th = New Moon,

21st = Full Moon,
13th = Waxing Moon,
28th = Waning Moon
16 17

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 A fool, Better
e v e n than a hun-
though he dred years
in the life of
is associ- an ignorant
ated with a person, who
wise man has no con-
all his life, trol over his
does not senses, is a
u nde r- day in the
stand the life of a wise
man who
Dhamma, cultivates
just as a la- Tranquillity
dle does and Insight
not know Develop-
the taste of ment Prac-
soup. tice.
Dhammapada:
Dhammapada: v. 111
v. 64
21st Phussa: Magha Festival & Sangha Day - commemorates the
spontaneous gathering of 1250 Arahants , to whom the Buddha
gave the exhortation on the basis of the discipline (Ovāda Patimok-
khā).

Phussa (Jan-Feb’12)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
Our kammas is
introduced ourselves.
1 2 3 4 5
18 19 20 21 22

6 7 8 9 10 11 12
23 24 25 26 27 28 29

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
30 31 1 2 3 4 5

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
6 7 8 9 10 11 12

27 28 29 30 6th = New Moon, 14th =Waxing Moon,

21st = Full Moon,
13 14 15 16 28th = Waning Moon

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 Be care- He who
is not credu-
ful in what lous, who
you say, re- has realized
the Uncon-
strained in ditioned
what you ( Nib bana) ,
who has cut
think, and off the links
impecca- of the round
of rebirths,
ble in how who has de-
you act. Pu- stroyed all
c o n s e -
r ifying
quences of
these three good and
ways of be- bad deeds,
who has dis-
haviour carded all
will take craving, is
indeed the
you along noblest of
Wandering Thai monks (Thudang Bhikkhus) meditating near the waterfall in
the Way of all men (i.e.,
the deep forest in North-Eastern Thailand. The Thudang Bhikkhus are depend
on alms-round (collecting foods) everyday from the village and live in the deep an Arahant).
the Sages.
forest and practice meditation for many months and years. They always wan- Dhammapada:
der from one village to another. The Thudang practitioner able to develop v. 97
Dhammapada:
v.281 Samadhi very soon.

Māgha (Feb-Mar’12)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
5th = New Moon,
21st = Full Moon,
14th = Waxing Moon,
28th = Waning Moon
1 2 3
17 18 19

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
27 28 29 1 2 3 4

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
5 6 7 8 9 10 11

25 26 27 28 29 Life is uncertain,
12 13 14 15 16 Death is certain.

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 By one- It is easy to
self indeed see the
is evil done faults of
and by one- others, but
self is one difficult to
defiled; by see one's
oneself is own. A
evil not m a n
done and broadcasts
by oneself the fault; of
is one puri- others like
fied. Purity winnowing
and impu- chaff in the
rity depend wind, but
entirely on hides his
oneself; no own faults
one can pu- as a crafty
rify another. fowler cov-
Dhammapada:
ers him-
v. 165 self.
21st Phagguna: After the Enlightenment, for the first time Buddha
visited his father King Suddhadana and relatives at Kapilavattu. He Dhammapada:
gave sermon to them. Thousands of relatives including his father be- v. 252

came follower of him and many of them became bhikkhus.

Phagguna (Mar-April’12)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN
6th = New Moon, 14th = Waxing Moon,
21st = Full Moon, 28th = Waning Moon
Buddhism is 1 2
Scientific Religion. 17 18

3 4 5 6 7 8 9
19 20 21 22 23 24 25

10 11 12 13 14 15 16
26 27 28 29 30 31 1

17 18 19 20 21 22 23
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

24 25 26 27 28 29 30
9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India

 If a person
is energetic,
The wise
mindful, pure in
who practise
his thought,
Jhana concen-
word and deed,
tration and In-
and if he does
sight Medita-
everything with
tion take de-
care and con-
light in the
sideration, re-
peace of lib-
strains his
eration from
senses, earns
sensual pleas-
his living ac-
ures and moral
cording to the
defilements.
Law (Dhamma)
Such wise and
and is not un-
mindful ones,
heedful, then,
who truly com-
the fame and
prehend the
fortune of that
Four Noble
mindful person
Truths are held
steadily in-
dear also by
crease.
the devas.
Dhammapada:
Dhammapada:
v.24 Lord Buddha visiting his death father King Suddhadana. v. 181

Citta (April-May)
MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
16 17 18 19 20 21 22

8 9 10 11 12 13 14
23 24 25 26 27 28 29

15 16 17 18 19 20 21
30 1 2 3 4 5 6

22 23 24 25 26 27 28
7 8 9 10 11 12 13

29 30 6th = New Moon,

21st = Full Moon,
14th = Waxing Moon,
27th = Waning Moon
14 15

Publisher: Chakma Buddhist Congregation of India