The people’s faith in Buddhism is reflected in many rituals (พิธีกรรมทางศาสนา) and festivals passed on from generation to generation. Among them is the candle festival (ประเพณีแห่เทียนพรรษา), which is celebrated to mark the start of the Buddhist Lent as a tribute to the Buddhist Triple Gem (พระรัตนตรัย).

 

During the three-month period, which is in the rainy season in Thailand, Buddhist monks and novices stay in the temple to study and practice Dhamma (ศึกษาพระธรรมคำสอน) and do not stay overnight (ค้างแรม) at any other places. The custom for monks to spend the three months of the rainy season in a fixed place has been observed since the time of the Buddha. In those days, unnecessary travel by monks during this period could damage young seedlings planted by villagers.

 

Due to the pandemic (การระบาดใหญ่), it might not be suitable for Thais to make merit (ทำบุญ) at the local temples as we usually do. As a result, we would like to encourage you to do another way of merit making such as donation.

 

Donation (การบริจาค) is one of the best ways of merit-making. As in Buddhism, Buddhists believe that giving serves as a way to eliminate (กำจัด) our greed (ความโลภ) and ill-will (ความมุ่งร้าย ) and also to reduce attachment (ลดความยึดมั่นถือมั่น).

 

Now, more than ever, health workers need our support. Healthcare systems are overwhelmed

(เกินจะรับไหว). Hospitals and healthcare charities are doing all they can to ensure they can care for all COVID-19 patients as the number of infected patients (ผู้ติดเชื้อ) are continued to rise and there’s no sign of it stopping just yet.

 

Your donation will help them continue to ensure frontline health workers have what they need to keep fighting. They are putting their lives on the line every day to protect us. Please make your donation today to help us to protect and prepare them.

 

Somdejphrapinklao Hospital is raising funds to purchase medical supplies (อุปกรณ์ทางการแพทย์) and is accepting other necessary items as well as food and beverage for its medical personnel.

 

Donations can be made via bank transfer to Thai Military Bank account number 040-2-00002-0 named “Somdejphrapinklao Foundation”. Deposit documents should be sent to Fax no. 02-475-2737.

 

Alternatively, medical supplies, food and necessary items are also needed, come to donate at the donation office Somdejphrapinklao Hospital.

 

Many hands make light work. มาช่วยกันนะคะ เพื่อทุกคนที่คุณรักค่ะ

 

 

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vassa

Photo: https://www.khaosod.co.th/newspaper-c…/relevant/news_2709513