BANGKOK, 28 October 2013 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday afternoon deputized for His Majesty the King at the ceremony of presenting monastic robes to monks at Borvoranives Monastery in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, It was the first royal Kathin ceremony of this year, taking place after the 3-month Lent and held at a first-class Wat Luang or Royal monastery.
Accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, the Pricess Consort, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arrived at the royal temple at 3.35 p.m., after which he lighted candles and incense sticks and prostrated himself before the principal Buddha image –Phra Buddha Chinnasi. He then paid homage to the royal ashes of King Rama VI.
In the past, several kings was ordained as monks at Borvoranives Monastery and stayed there throughout their priesthood. The Kathin ceremony has been observed for more than 2,600 years since the days of the Lord Buddha. At present, Kathin robe presentation in Thailand is observed at two levels – by the Royal Family and by ordinary people. The period for the Kathin presentation usually lasts one month following the Buddhist Lent, or from the first wanning moon of the 11th lunar month to the full moon of the 12th lunar month, or around October to November each year.
Later on the same day, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Srirasm, presented royal Kathin robes to monks at Phra Chetuphon Monastery, another first-class royal temple. The royal couple also paid homage to King Rama I’s ashes contained in the monastery, which was built as the temple of the reign.
There are altogether 16 royal temples where royal Kathin robes will be presented to monks each year. 12 of them are in Bangkok and four others are in the provinces – one in Nakhon Pathom, two in Ayutthaya and one in Phitsanulok.
