ID :
293937
Tue, 07/23/2013 - 11:52
Auther :

Thais observe Buddhist Lent

UBON RATCHATHANI, July 23 (TNA) - Buddhist people from all walks of life throughout Thailand observe the three-month Buddhist Lent, which began on July 23. In the northeastern Ubon Ratchathani Province, bordering Laos, locals as well as foreign tourists braved the rain to view the beauty of a candle procession on Tuesday (Jul 23) morning, during which they lined up streets to see the mighty procession, led by a royal candle bestowed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, followed by beautiful carved wax figures. The event was presided over by Thai Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan. The 54-candle procession, accompanied by traditional Thai dance performed by local students, paraded around the northeastern province amid the admiration of the viewers. In the northern Nan Province, more than 40 youths, all members of classical car conservation, offered alms and candles to Nam Phu Temple in Na Noi District, a similar activity which they have performed for the fifth consecutive year. Another group of motorcycling youths also offered candles to mark the Buddhist Lent to monks at a local temple in Nan's Mae Charim District, in line with teaching of the Lord Buddha. Meanwhile, Thomya Sriprasom, Director of Pattani's Provincial Buddhist Religion Office, said it is found that monks are now fully occupied at all 84 temples in the violence-plagued province despite the ongoing unrest. Earlier, about 10 temples did not have sufficient monks, which had caused difficulty for local Buddhists to perform their religious activities. The significance of the three-month-long Buddhist Lent is that monks must refrain from travelling and staying indoors during the ongoing monsoon season, but preaching to the laymen and young monks and engaging in meditations. (TNA)

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