VietNamNet Bridge – A Thai delegation headed by the Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador to Viet Nam, Surapong Jayanama, chaired the fifth royal Kathina ceremony (offering of robes) in Viet Nam yesterday, November 8. The event was held at Ho Phap Pagoda in Vung Tau City.

The representatives, including Thai Ambassador to Viet Nam Pisanu Chanvitan and Thai Consul General in HCM City Somchai Paucharoen, on behalf of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, bestowed eight royal robes on monks in the pagoda.

The delegation also donated more than VND200 million to the pagoda, which is now under construction.

The ceremony was attended by provincial leaders from Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and thousands of Buddhist followers from across Viet Nam and Thailand.

There was also a special delegation from the Lao Consulate General in HCM City.

Addressing the ceremony, Surapong Jayanama said the annual project aimed to strengthen relationship between Viet Nam and Thailand and to promote Buddhism, which has strong followings in both countries.

Deputy provincial leader Nguyen Thi Hong Sinh sent her thanks to the Thai King for his gifts.

"This is great encouragement to Buddhism in Viet Nam," Sinh said.

Chief monk Thich Giac Tri thanked the Thai King and people for providing material and spiritual support to Vietnamese Buddhism.

The King has previously granted robes to Buddhist monks at HCM City’s Pho Minh Pagoda and Phuoc Son Meditation Temple in Dong Nai Province.

The Kathina ceremony, one of the major traditional ceremonies of Theravada Buddhism, is held at the end of an annual three-month retreat during the rainy season. Followers offer monks new robes, believing that monks and laymen who participate gain merit.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

 

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