BANGKOK, 24 May 2013 His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn yesterday (23 May) represented His Majesty the King at the ceremony of presenting monastic fans to monks and novices who were promoted to higher ranks, on the occasion of the Visakha Puja Day celebrations at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace.
His Royal Highness arrived at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at 15.11 hr, and then paid homage to the main Buddha image before presenting Prayer Fans of Insignia to 223 monks and novices who have finished monastic studies and are entitled to higher ranks.
In observance of Visakha Puja Day 2013, His Majesty the King has graciously commanded royal merit making ceremonies to be conducted on two consecutive days. The appointment of ranking monks is to be held on the day preceding the Visakha Puja Day or on the 14th day of the waxing moon of the sixth lunar month. The Royal ceremony in celebration of Visakha Puja Day will be held on the 15th day of the waxing moon (full moon day) of the sixth lunar month.
Visakha Puja Day is considered the most important day in Buddhism as it celebrates three occasions which occurred on the same day but different years in the life of Lord Buddha, namely his birth, attainment of enlightenment and passing away. The United Nations has declared Visakha Puja Day as a day of universal significance of the world since 1999.
