BANGKOK, 4 February 2014 Mr. Kritsayapong Siri, Director General of Religious Affairs, has disclosed that the Department of Religion in collaboration with temples, and the Network of Buddhist Organizations, will organize Buddhism Promotion Week, to celebrate the Buddhist religious day of Makha Bucha B.E.2557 (2014), which falls on Valentine’s Day, February 14, this year.
Activities to be held during the Makha Bucha Day festival include bad deed abandonment and heart purification. Students will be encouraged to turn to temples, to make merit and perform good deeds. One major activity is promoting morality for children through merit making at 9 important temples in Bangkok. These include Ratchabophitsatitmahasimaram Temple, Suthat Thep Wararam Temple, Ratchanatdaram Temple, Saket Temple, Bovorniveswiharn Temple, Chana Songkhram Temple, Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Temple, the Emerald Buddha Temple and Mahathatyuwarajrangsarit Temple.
Moreover, Makha Bucha’s Day activities will be held at 50 important temples in 50 districts including Pak Nam Phasi Charoen Temple, Saket Temple, Traimitwittayaram Temple, Yannawa Temple and Patumwanaram Temple.
People will be encouraged to dress in white when practicing meditation during the Makha Bucha Day festival. Meanwhile in provincial areas, the Provincial Cultural Office, in collaboration with the Provincial Monastic Order is organizing activities such as meditation practice and triple circumnambulation , to attract adolescents to temples.
