Thousands of Buddhists turned out to give
alms to 2,600 monks on a mission to help temples in Thailand’s troubled
south during a huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City Hall
Nov. 15. Rice, dried food and necessities were donated to support a
nationwide drive by a million monks to provide relief to 323 embattled
Buddhist temples in Songkla, Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces.
Urasin Khantaraphan & Surasak Huasoon
Thousands of Buddhists turned out to give alms to 2,600 monks on
a mission to help temples in Thailand’s troubled south.
The huge merit-making event in front of Pattaya City Hall Nov. 15 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 Songkla, Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani
provinces.
The sea of golden 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 Phra Rachasithiwimoll, deputy chief of the
Chonburi Ecclesiastical Office, presided over the event, leading the
2,600 monks from Chonburi and Chachoengsao to accept alms, rice, dried
food and 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 seventh annual event, aimed at
reviving and supporting religion.
The event was held in coordination with Kanlayamite in Chonburi and the
Naval Rating School, Change The World Club, and Dharma Media Channel.
Organizers said the donations are necessary as Buddhist monks in the
Muslim-dominated southern provinces are having difficulties collecting
alms and, at some temples, monks have had to stop going out to receive
alms due to separatist violence.
Therefore, Luang Pu Thammachaiyo, the abbot of Dhammakaya Temple and
president of the Dhammakaya Foundation, initiated the project to help
monks in 323 temples in the four provinces.
Thais and foreigners line the street in
North Pattaya to give alms to monks that will be delivered 323 temples
in 4 embattled southern provinces.
