05 JULY 2014 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Chinese style lion dancers wait to perform on a side street in Bangkok during a parade for vassa. Vassa, called "phansa" in Thai, marks the beginning of the three-month long Buddhist rains retreat when monks and novices stay in the temple for periods of intense meditation.
05 JULY 2014 - BANGKOK, THAILAND: Chinese style lion dancers wait to perform on a side street in Bangkok during a parade for vassa. Vassa, called "phansa" in Thai, marks the beginning of the three months long Buddhist rains retreat when monks and novices stay in the temple for periods of intense meditation. Vassa officially starts July 11 but temples across Bangkok are holding events to mark the holiday all week.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ