Wat Phra Dhammakaya held the almsgiving ceremony for 5,000 novices on 22 April 2023 or Earth Day and “The shame of misdeeds and the fear of the wrongdoing results” was hinted as the dhamma to protect the world.
On 22 April 2023, Venerable Phrakrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, Director of the Communication Department, Wat Phra Dhammakaya, mentioned that every April 22 was declared “Earth Day”. This year, the temple held an almsgiving ceremony for 5,000 novices of “The Mass Novice Ordination Program for the Buddhism Revival throughout Thailand” under the concept “Dhamma Training during Summer Break”in 2023. At the grounds of Dhammakaya Cetiya, the almsgiving ceremony began at 7.00 hrs.. It was presided by Venerable Phraphavanadhamvides, Assistant Abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and joined by a large number of lay people. The dry food, gained from the food offering to the novices would be distributed for the community contribution.
“The Mass Novice Ordination Program for the Buddhism Revival throughout Thailand was organized during March 26 – May 27, 2023 by Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Dhammakaya Foundation with the collaboration of International Buddhist Club, Morality Promotion Centers across Thailand and the network of “Ba-Vorn”. The principles on the 5 types of Universal Goodness (1.Cleanliness 2. Orderliness 3. Politeness 4. Punctuality 5. Commitment ) and the Threefold Training (Morality, Concentration and Wisdom) are integrated to novices’ daily activities for their training. Additionally, the exhibition on the Buddha’s history and the three-dimensional films on the 14 enlightened novices are shown and open to the novices’ parents and lay people.“,said Venerable Phrakrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso
The Earth Day was initiated by the American Senator “Mr. Gaylord Nelson”, campaigning among American people on the world protection. Later, the meeting of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY) had a resolution to declare every April 22 as the day of “World Protection by Dhamma“ under the concept “Cleanse The Mind, Cleanse The World” because the mind of all human beings should be maintained in purity to follow the teachings of the Buddha, which is “Abstain from all misdeeds; perform only good deeds; and purify one’s mind”. Besides, “The shame of misdeeds and the fear of the wrongdoing results” is hinted as the dhamma to protect the world.
In this event, there was the signing ceremony of the MOU between Dhammakaya Open University, California and Lumbini Buddhist University on 22 April 2023 during 8.30-9.30 hrs.. The seminar on “Clean the Mind, Clean the World” by Prof. Dr. Wichai Ekataksin MD, Ven.Da Hui, Ven. Mugunuwela Anuruddha, Most Ven. Bhikkhuni Dr. Ming Yu, H.E. Kathog Rigzin Chenpo, Sonam Dorji, Dr. Ong See Yew, DR JOSH YU-SHIH, HUNG, Ven. Dr. Pornchai Palawadhammo and Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso is organized online via www.zoom072.com/wab/1 on 23 April 2023 during 19.00 – 21.00 hrs..
