On 31 March 2024, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department, Wat Phra Dhammakaya related that with the faith in Buddhism and unity of Thai community in Australia, devotees of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, together with the locals in Sydney, organized the activities of almsgiving and listening to the sermon in the Thai community area of Sydney.
This activity started in the early morning with an almsgiving to 7 monks from Wat Phra Dhammakaya Sydney and Wat Phra Dhammakaya Melbourne, which was participated by over 100 attendees from Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Australia. In the commercial area surrounded by high-rise buildings, the sight of monks walking in line to receive alms from laypeople impressed all observers and reflected Buddhism propagation in the Oceania region. This almsgiving ceremony has been organized continuously for over 18 years.
After the almsgiving, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong gave a sermon to all attendees by focusing on abstaining from all misdeeds, doing only good deeds and purifying the mind through meditation practice. Recalling the previous merits and maintaining the pure mind before and after good deeds would result in positive energy for the merit makers.
Recently, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Sydney arranged a 1-day meditation course for 15 locals. This course included muscle stretching, basic meditation practice, walking meditation and Q&A session. The inner peace from meditation is the starting point of social and global peace.
