Eighty-four residents joined the monkhood to
mark the start of HM the King’s 84th year.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Eighty-four Pattaya-area residents joined the
monkhood to mark the start of HM the King’s 84th year at an ordination
ceremony organized by the city for His Majesty’s birthday.
The Dec. 2 ceremony outside Pattaya City Hall saw
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome lead the lighting of candles and joss sticks,
say prayers and pay respect to a painting of HM the King, who turned 83
Dec. 5.
The start of the eight-day ordination process
featured a parade of monks’ robes and pleas for forgiveness. The
aspirants then marched from City Hall to Walking Street along Beach
Road, back again via Second Road and ending their procession at
Jittapawan College, where the monks-to-be completed their training.
The following day saw aspirants, hosts and guests
attend ordinations at Parchum Kongka, Buddhiwararam, Nong Ketnot and
Nong Ketyai temples. Then all of the new Buddhist monks returned to
study Dharma together at Jittapawan College, where they stayed until
Dec. 10.
The 84 new monks take the place of 84 others who disrobed on Dec. 10.
Before they did, Pattaya-area residents were invited to make merit in
the King’s name by offering the departing monks dried food and other
alms at Rungland Village in South Pattaya and Lan Pho Park in Naklua
Dec. 7-8.
