• Eye-catching sight as thousands of monks gather in Thailand

    Rungroj Yongrit / EPA

    Thousands of Thai Buddhist monks chant during a lantern lighting to celebrate Makha Bucha day at Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 25, 2013.

    Pornchai Kittiwongsakul / AFP - Getty Images

    Buddhist monks hold candles as they walk around a Pagoda on Makha Bhucha Day at the Dhammakaya Temple, Feb, 25, 2013.

    Kerek Wongsa / Reuters

    Buddhist monks pray at the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple on Makha Bucha Day Feb. 25, 2013.

    Monks gathered to celebrate Makha Bucha Day in Thailand where they lit candles to commemorate two events during the Buddha’s lifetime that occurred on the same date, but 45 years apart. The first was the ordainment of 1,250 monks who came from all over, and the second was the delivering of the Buddha’s teachings shortly before his death. Both events happened on the full moon of the third lunar month.