It commemorates two separate events that occurred on the same date 45
years apart, during the Buddha's lifetime 2,500 years ago. The first
event was the coming together of 1,250 monks from all locations and
directions, to meet the Buddha, and the Buddha himself ordained all of
these. This event occurred seven months after the Buddha began his
teaching. The second event, which occurred 45 years later, was the
Buddha delivering his teachings shortly before his death. Both of
these events occurred on the day of the full moon of the third lunar
month, a month known in the Buddhist Pali language as 'Makha'. The
'Bucha', also a Pali word, means to venerate or to honor. Thus, Makha
Bucha Day is for the veneration of Buddha and his teachings on the
full moon day of the third lunar month.