North Pattaya Road was
once again awash in saffron as 2600 monks gathered to collect alms to
support their less-fortunate brethren as part of a nationwide drive by a
million monks to provide relief to 323 embattled Buddhist temples in
Thailand’s Muslim-dominated south.
Warunya Thongrod
Thousands turned out to give alms to 2,600 Buddhist monks on a
mission to help less-fortunate brethren.
The huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City Hall Dec. 21 saw
the crowd, dressed predominantly in white, donate rice and dried goods
to support a nationwide drive by a million monks to provide relief to
323 embattled Buddhist temples in Thailand’s Muslim-dominated south.
The sea of orange robes flowed along North Road from the Samsai
intersection to the Dolphin Roundabout. The road was closed to traffic
and thousands made their way to make merit with the monks.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome and former area MPs Santsak and Poramet
Ngampichet opened the 6 a.m. event with Praratcha Sittivimol, deputy
chief of the Chonburi monk’s council, leading 2,600 monks from Chonburi
and Chachoengsao to accept alms, rice, dried food including necessary
items from Buddhists.
The Mediation to Develop World Peace Association, founded by
Phathepyasana Mahamunee, abbot of Dhammakaya Temple, organized the
government-sponsored service, its sixth annual event, aimed at reviving
and supporting religion. It was a family-oriented activity meant to
reinforce traditional values as well as support the southern monks, who
are often the targets of violence by Muslim separatists.
Since 2008, the “Alms Giving for 2 Million Monks” project has raised
more than 4,200 tons of rice.
The mayor noted this year’s ceremony again included 600 more monks than
pre-2012 events to mark 2,600 years of Buddhist Jayanti. It also aimed
to “add virtue and prosperity for individuals and families for the
coming year.”
