Over a hundred monks
prepare to lead a parade throughout the greater Naklua, Pattaya and
Jomtien areas so that people could sprinkle holy water on Buddhist
relics from the Sanctuary of Truth. The relics were put on a special
float (back, left) to give residents and tourists an opportunity to pour
holy water on the relics on Songkran Day.
Jetsada Homklin
Thousands of Pattaya’s devout lined the streets in different areas of
Pattaya to sprinkle holy water on Buddhist relics from the Sanctuary of
Truth during an April 13 Songkran parade through the city.
For most of the year, the relics of Lord Buddha are stored at the top of
the Busabok Stupa, which stands in the Sanctuary of Truth’s Central
Hall, symbolizing enlightenment. They were presented to the temple in
April 2009 by the late Supreme Patriarch of Thailand.
Pattaya, with the Chonburi Monk’s Committee, Chonburi National Office of
Buddhism, and Buddhist Association of Chonburi, organized the parade to
give residents and tourists an opportunity to pour holy water on the
relics on Songkran Day to wish for prosperity and increase one’s glory
leading to success according to Buddhism beliefs.
The 40-car parade took a long route throughout the entire
Naklua-Pattaya-Jomtien area, stopping at eight water-pouring stops
around town.
