Waso

On the full moon day of Waso, Buddhists commemorate significant events in the life of Buddha: the conception of Prince Siddhartha in the womb of his mother, Queen Maya, the wife of King Suddhodana; his renunciation of worldly attachments; the preaching of the Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment; and his demonstration of unprecedented supernatural powers. Buddhists mark this auspicious day by performing meritorious deeds, observing the sabbath, and reciting Dhamma. Similarly, at the Shwedagon Pagoda, in the ancient Buddha images pavilion, at dawn on the full moon day of Waso, the Pagoda Board of Trustees, religious associations, and staff offer alms food to the pagoda and recite the Dhammacakka Pavattana Sutta.