Buddhists converge on Phutthamonthon for religious rites on Visakha Bucha Day

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NAKHON PATHOM, 1 June 2015  – Throngs of Buddhist Thais have taken part in religious activities at Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park in Nakhon Pathom in observance of Visakha Bucha Day.

This morning, Nakhon Pathom Governor Chatchai Uthaipan presided over a merit-making ceremony at Phutthamonthon Buddhist Park and gave alms to 1,987 Buddhist monks to mark Visakha Bucha Day. The ceremony was attended by heads of government offices, civil servants, military officials, police, students and local residents, all of whom were dressed in white.

Apart from alms giving, several other religious activities were organized throughout the day for devout Buddhists to join in, including Dharma sessions and presentation of monastic robes and necessities to monks.

At 4 pm, Privy Councilor Ampol Senanarong represented His Majesty the King in leading the people to perform the clockwise circumambulation around the Principal Buddha Statue of Phutthamonthon three times. At 5.30 pm, a holy stanza was chanted by His Holiness Somdet Phramaharatchamangkhlachan, Acting Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, followed by a series of sermons and Dharma talks.

All the activities were part of the celebration of the Buddhism Promotion Week arranged by the Office of National Buddhism between May 28 and June 1. The auspicious occasion was also dedicated to Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the royal family.