Wat Tampa in English

Week of August 22, 2011

Sunday Market - August 29, 2011

10:00 am - 2:00 pm      Sunday Market

1:00 pm -  1:30 pm      Religious ceremony

1:30 pm -  2:00 pm      Meditation

Next Events

Thai Association Dinner Dance - Saturday, September 10, 2011

The Thai Association is sponsoring a dinner dance on September 10, 2011 from 6:30 pm until 1:00 am. You can make reservations by calling Pandy at 727-321-2732 or purchase tickets at the door. Cost per person is $20 which includes admission and dinner including your favorite Thai dishes. Dress is formal or cocktail attire.

The dinner dance is in Pinellas Park at 4951 78th Avenue North, Pinnelas Park, FL 33781. Come ready for a great evening of fun and food!

 Sart Thai Day - Sunday, September 11.2011

Sart Thai day will be celebrated at Wat Tampa on Sunday, September 11, 2010 this year. Sart Thai day falls in the middle of the traditional Thai year. It occurs on the fifteenth day of the waning moon of the tenth lunar month (sometime during September).

The word Sart, derived from the Pali language, means season and in particular autumn or fall. Sart Thai day is also referred to as Memorial Day. This is not Memorial Day as Americans might assume. In Thailand, Sart Thai is a time to remember dead relatives with prayers, Buddhist rituals, and merit making on their behalf. 

End of Buddhist Lent - Sunday, October16, 2011

The first day of Thai Lent is referred to as Asalha Puja Day (or Commencement Day). The date of all of the Thai festivals is based on the lunar calendar so the "American" dates vary from year to year. You may also here Lent referred to as the "rains retreat."

The end of Lent is marked by Ok Phansa. Ok Phansa marks the end of the "rains retreat" and the beginning of Krathin. Monks can return to their social duties and travel. Ok Phansa is also celebrated by lay people offering food and gifts to the monks. Ok Phansa is celebrated throughout Thailand but the celebrations vary by region.