I was up early this morning to go and take pictures at Wat Klang in Samut Prakan City. Today is the full moon and an important Buddhist holiday called Visakha Bucha.
When I arrived shortly after 7 a.m., there were already hundreds of local people at the temple with many more arriving all the time. They were coming to make merit and also to take part in chanting and to listen to a sermon.
As they arrived, many of them bought a selection of fresh food. This wasn’t for themselves but to use as an offering for the Buddhist monks. To make the most merit you should really prepare the food yourselves at home. But not many people have time for this these days.
Once they had bought the food, they said a short prayer and then offered the food to a long line of monk bowls. The monks are not standing here unlike the times when they go out on their alms rounds.
During these festivals, you often see beggars at the temple. Thai people like to make merit by giving money to local poor people.
At about 7.30 a.m. the monks filed into the sermon hall to lead the local people in chanting. The most senior monk is to the left of this picture. The order is not by age but by number of years as a monk.
There were about 600 people in and around this temple. There wasn’t enough room for them inside so many were sitting outside. After the chanting, they listened to a sermon. Many of them will be back at the temple this evening for a candlelight procession.
- Posted from my iPhone
