Faithful Buddhists across the country have attended alms giving ceremonies for monks in all regions, to observe the End of Buddhist Lent.
Starting off in the northern region. In Chiang Mai, the city municipality held the end of Buddhist Lent alms giving ceremony to 99 Buddhist monks, on the plaza in front of Kham Luang Tower in Royal Park Rajapruek, which many faithful Buddhists attended.
In Phrae, Wat Phra That Chor Hae Temple held an end of Buddhist Lent alms-giving ceremony where monks walked down the 94-step stairway. The procession imitates a scene from Buddhist legend where Lord Buddha delivered a sermon to his mother in heaven, before travelling down 449-step stairs. On this occasion, the path was surrounded by members of the general public offering alms, and included parades bearing items of worship; dances, and ghosts begging for blessings.
Moving to the northeastern region. Some 5,000 villagers in Khon Kaen province joined the End of Buddhist Lent alms giving ceremony held on Rajapruek Withi walkway in the middle of Kaen Nakhon Lake, along which 309 monks and novices accepted food and offerings from faithful Buddhists who were positioned around the lake.
In Nakhon Phanom, locals and visitors attending an Illuminated Boat Procession, joined the End of Buddhist Lent alms-giving ceremony held at the Paya Sri Satta Nakarat Monument plaza by the Mekong River, where a procession of Buddha statues and leading monks accepted alms and offerings, symbolizing the journey of Lord Buddha from Heaven to Earth to bless faithful Buddhists.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, a Buddhist Lent alms-giving ceremony was held at Wat Phra Maha That Temple, where the abbot Phra Thep Winyaporn gave blessings and led monks and novices in accepting alms and offerings. Late morning Oct. 14, a Chak Phra ceremony from each province to Wat Phra Maha That took place, preserving a local tradition held on the day after the End of Buddhist Lent every year.
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