People
Sikh-Thais Honour Buddhist Monks at Seasonal Festival
WARUNYA THONGROD
A wealthy Sikh-Thai family donated more than 4 million baht (roughly, US $130,000.00), including 200 royally sanctioned robes, to Pattaya’s Chaimongkol Temple for its annual end-of-rainy season festival.
More than 200 people attended the October 24, 2013 “Thod Kathin” ceremony where Savinder Kaur Gulati and Mohinder Singh presented the robes obtained through the Royal Household to Abbot Pisan Jariyaphiwat and 50 monks.
Along with donations of meats, desserts and beverages, the Gulati family presented total donations worth more than 4.4 million baht (US $143,000.00). An additional 1 million baht (US $32,000.00) in cash donations raised from temple patrons was also presented.
“My family has been working in Pattaya for 35 years and my family status and finances have grown over that time. My wife and I believe that we must do good for society by repaying for our homes and careers,” Mohinder Singh said. “I learned that the Thod Kathin merit-making ceremony is a Buddhism ceremony bringing merit so I wanted to take this opportunity for this temple as my home and shop are in the same neighborhood.”
While Pisan arranged for the robes to be donated by the Royal Household, the fact they were provided for the Sikh-Thai family to present said much about their social standing, the abbot said.
The Thod Kathin ceremony is a Buddhist tradition held at the end of rainy season. The festival generally lasts for a month and is a time for temple patrons to express gratitude to monks. Robes are the most-common gifts lay Buddhists bring to make merit.
[Courtesy: Pattaya Mail. Edited for sikhchic.com]
November 1, 2013
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Conversation about this article
1: Bishen Singh (London, United Kingdom), November 01, 2013, 9:53 AM.
What a beautiful way of honouring the local traditions wherever we live in the diaspora, while proudly being what we are! Bravo, Sikh-Thais! Well done.
2: Gurmeet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, USA), November 01, 2013, 12:13 PM.
Even though I agree that one must serve the local community and traditions; I'm sorry that this PR reeks of display of social standing, wealth and recognition, instead of service. Thailand has a lot of poverty and suppression of children and women - this much money would make a solid impact in n-number of much needed areas - rather than ceremonial indulgence. As a family they can do whatever with their money - but I hope we don't confuse it with seva.
3: Daljit Singh (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada), November 01, 2013, 12:30 PM.
Well done!