On July 19, 2015, 24 Branches of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Europe organized a mass ordination for European Dhammadayada for the third time. Hence, each of the European Branches invited the locals to participate in this program in which there were 35 ordinands from 7 countries and 12 citizenships.
The morning ceremonies started with circumambulation around the chapel of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Benelux. During the ceremony, Upasok Phisit Meunklew, who helped establish Wat Phra Dhammakaya Benelux, led the procession of the European Dhammadayada with a flower bowl, followed by the ordinands’ parents and guardians, virtuous supporters and congregants who came from 7 countries in Europe.
After the circumambulation, Dhammadayada took part in the ceremony to pay respect to the chapel’s boundary and the Buddha statue. Then, at 9.30 a.m., Dhammadayada proceeded outside the chapel to take part in the ceremony of asking for forgiveness for their wrong doings to their parents/guardians and receive the Robe Set. It was such a magnificent scene.
At 10.00 a.m., the ordinands’ preceptor – the Most Venerable Phra Vithetbhawanadham, the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Bavaria and Vice President of Europe and America Regions, arrived at the center of the ceremony and lit up joss sticks and candles to pay homage to the Triple Gem. Then the Dhammadayada’s representative proceeded to offer a flower bowl to the Preceptor and asked for permission to become ordained. The preceptor taught them “Tajapanjaka Kammatarn” or contemplation on the foul conditions of the 5 organs and draped the monk’s vest to all Dhammadayada ordinands who later changed into monastic robe and took part in the next ceremony to request the Three Refuges and precepts which the preceptor granted. Then, the Dhammadayada ordinands were given alms-bowls, robe sets and gifts by laypeople who later received blessings from them in return. The morning activities were concluded by the ceremony of alms and lunch offering.
At 1.30 PM, the ordination ceremony was held. And at the end, the preceptor and the European Dhammadayada ordinands took group photos together.
