This
portrait of His Majesty the King graciously oversees the ceremony.
Manoon Makpol
Photos by
Boonsiri Suansuk
and Manoon Makpol
About 25,000 people turned up at dawn Dec. 24 to present
alms to 2,084 Buddhist monks on a mission to help Southern Thailand brethren
and flood victims.
The huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City Hall
at 6 a.m. saw the crowd, dressed predominantly in white, donate rice and
dried goods to support a nationwide drive by a million monks to provide
relief to 266 embattled Buddhist temples in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated
south.
Over 20,000 people turned up
at dawn Dec. 24 to present alms to 2,084 Buddhist monks.
All the received alms will later be distributed in the
south, and to victims of recent flooding in 26 provinces. The ceremony is
counted as part of the 77 Provinces 1 Million Monks Alms Giving Project
initiated by Phrathepyanmahamuni, the Abbot of Dhammakaya Temple.
The Dhammakaya Foundation, the Association of Meditation
for World Moral Development and the World Moral Revival Club organized the
government-sponsored event, the fourth since 2008, aimed at reviving and
supporting religion. It was a family-oriented activity meant to reinforce
traditional values as well as support the southern monks, who are often the
targets of violence by Muslim separatists.
The most respected monks in
the area take pride of place at the event.
Banglamung District Ecclesiastical Chief Pharkru
Vijidhammasarn presided over the ceremony and Pattaya Major Itthiphol
Kunplome led the congregation in the merit-making by presenting a royal
flower cone in front of HM the King’s portrait. The sea of orange robes
flowed along North Road from the 3rd Road intersection to the Dolphin
Roundabout.
Among the other guests was Culture Minister Sukumol
Kunplome, Santsak Ngampichet, chairman of the Religion, Art and Culture
Department, local political leaders and MPs.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome
addresses the early morning gathering.
People are excited to help,
and humble in their offerings.
Over 2,000 monks receive alms
from over 20,000 humble followers.
Even foreign guests are
willing to help.
Bathed in the early morning
light, monks pray for their brethren in the South.
Praying for peace, happiness
and prosperity for all.
Dressed in white, praying for
peace, reaching for serenity.
Young and old pray for a
better future for the Kingdom.
The solemn ceremony has deep
meaning for many.
