Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over “Buddhism Promotion Week” to commemorate Visakha Bucha Day, an important religious holiday for Buddhists worldwide.
At 5:06 p.m. on Sunday (May 12), Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn proceeded to Lan Khon Muang in front of Bangkok City Hall in Phra Nakhon district to preside over Buddhism Promotion Week to commemorate Visakha Bucha Day.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn lit candles and incense sticks to pay homage to the sacred relics of Lord Buddha that have been brought from the Grand Palace to Lan Khon Muang for the general public to pay respects to on this auspicious occasion.
This year, the BMA has cooperated with the Center for Promotion of Buddhism under the Supreme Patriarch’s Patronage, the Department of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of the Interior, and the National Office of Buddhism to hold “Buddhism Promotion Week”. The event is being held from May 12 to 18 to promote the teachings of Buddhism and preserve the country’s culture and tradition. This year, Visakha Bucha Day falls on May 18.
On this occasion, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn bestowed Sema Dhammajak awards on 91 monks and 69 laymen who have been recognized for their exceptional contributions to Buddhism. Buddhist chanting awards were presented to 30 people, 24 people were awarded for promoting the teachings of Buddhism, and special Buddhist chanting awards were granted to six individuals. Souvenirs were also given to donors of the Buddhism Promotion Fund and organizers of this event.
At “Buddhism Promotion Week”, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited a booth that encourages people to practice the Buddhist philosophy of “Tri Sikkha” – the focus on self-training through moral conduct and meditation practices to attain wisdom and understand dharma. Religious activities, such as Buddhist chanting, meditation, merit-making, alms-giving, religious seminars, and an exhibition of Phra Vessantara, the Lord Buddha’s previous life, were held during the “Buddhism Promotion Week”.