Candle which burns during Buddhist festival of Vassa
A Vassa candle, or Tean Vassa, is a giant beeswax candle that is burned for the duration of the Theravada Buddhist festival of Vassa. These candles are most frequently used in Cambodia and Thailand. The Vassa candle has been compared to the paschal candle of Christians, burned during the entirety of Paschaltide.
Moulding
In Cambodia, an annual ceremony known as sett tean Vassa is held at the royal palace to mould Vassa candles. While sitting on his throne, the Khmer monarch pours the melted wax into moulds that are held by the purohit baku, the priest who serves the palace.
Offering
Men usually carry the Vassa candle, bringing it to Buddhist pagodas in an elaborate procession. Carrying and offering the Vassa candle is an honor that is highly sought by government officials and benefactors of Cambodian pagodas.
Lighting
While monks have historically lighted the Vassa candle, laypeople have more recently been granted this privilege. In the past, the candle could be lit only with fire coming from a stone beaten by a lighter or by fire obtained by the friction of two bamboo sticks. Today, a match is allowed to be used. Once lit, the candle burns for the entire length of the Vassa festival.
Fabrication
A Vassa candle is traditionally prepared by an achar from 12 kilograms (26 pounds) of natural beeswax. The beeswax is usually recycled by melting old candle stumps that are collected from within the temple or donated by the surrounding villages. Hairdryers are used to re-soften the wax, allowing it to be moulded and created into shapes. Then, sculptors create intricate carvings and details of the candle\'s exterior.
A Vassa candle measures 93 centimetres (37 inches) in length. It is seated on a pedestal or throne called balan, about 29 centimetres (11 inches) tall. Another candle is placed on top of the Vassa candle; this smaller candle is the one that is lit. The smaller wax candle is carved with the intricate design of lotus flowers. It is often crowned with a small receptacle filled with coconut oil, which burns instead of the wax.
Symbolism
Vassa candles are considered to be \"the light for life\", that lighten the darker parts of life and guide the way toward Nirvana.
