1,130 Pilgrim Monks Embark on the 4th Dhammachai Dhutanga to Revive World Morality, Welcome the New Year, and Accrue Great Merit for the Country
At a recent press release, Phrasanitwong Wuttiwangso announced that the Fourth Dhammachai Dhutanga, a project aimed at reviving world morality, is being organized through the collaborative effort of the Sangha Community, Office of National Buddhist, World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth, International Buddhist Society (under the patronage of Somdet Phramaha ratchamangkhlachan – acting Supreme Patriarch of the Thai Sangha), Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Dhammakaya Foundation and over 40 additional organizations. The 30-day pilgrimage, scheduled for 2nd – 31st January 2015, retraces the path related to the life of Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) and covers seven provinces — Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon and Bangkok — for a total distance of 485 kilometers.
The objective of organizing this pilgrimage is to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, to preserve a wonderful Buddhist culture, to welcome the new year, to accumulate great merit for the country, and to develop virtuous Buddhist youth leaders. All these things will strengthen moral integrity within the home-temple-school network and lead to a peaceful and harmonious Thai society, befitting Thailand’s distinction as the world’s center for Buddhism by the international countries.
The 1,130 Dhammachai Dhutanga monks, coming from all over Thailand, will take a strict vow of having one meal per day and residing at whatever dwellings provided. Throughout the pilgrimage, adults and students will welcome the pilgrim monks by lining the entire dhutanga path with marigold petals. This is consistent with the principle on Apajayanamai – meritorious deed by humility and reverence – as was practiced during the time of the Lord Buddha. On one occasion, King Bimbisara led the citizens of Magadha to see the Lord Buddha and His 500 perfected disciples off as they departed for Visali. As a demonstration of reverence, the King had residences built for the Lord Buddha and His disciples and roads created and paved with flowers of five different colors for them to travel on.
For information on the daily route, please contact 02-831-1234 or visit www.dmc.tv
