On Sunday, 20th September 2015, the four assemblies of Myanmar and Thailand jointly organized an Alms Offering event to 10,000 monks in Mandalay, Myanmar, on the road around Mandalay city. The event began at 7.00 a.m. and it was an honor to have the most venerable from Myanmar and Phrabhavanadhamvithet (Phubet Chanapinyo) – vice abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Representing laypeople, four of the event leaders from Myanmar included;
- Ministerial representative from the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
- Chief Cabinet County of Mandalay
- Public sector representative
- Chairman of the Board of Buddhism of Mandalay
And the other four event leaders are from Thailand who were;
- Prakorb Jirakiti – Former Member of Parliament
- Khun Pornsan Kamlang-eak – Representative of the Dhammakaya Foundation
- Khun Somkiet Sornlum – Former Assistant Minister
- Pornchai Pinyapong – President of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth
The objective of this event was to create merit for the country, revive the people of Myanmar’s spirits and dedicated merit to those who passed away as a result of cyclone Komen. The cyclone had a high death toll and many people were left suffering. Moreover, this event will also create cooperation among Buddhist cultures for the upcoming ASEAN community.