‘Pilgrimage of peace’ will bring 300 monks to Vientiane for alms

A MASS almsgiving will take place in Vientiane on October 26 to coincide with the arrival of 100 to 150 monks and Buddhists from five different countries in the Mekong Basin region.

The second Dharma Yatra, a pilgrimage of peace, will bring together up to 100 to 150 monks and Buddhists from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar after the first regional Buddhist caravan was successfully organised in 2017.

The pilgrimage will take place from October 14-31 and will kick off in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. It will cover a distance of about 2,000km through Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam and back to eastern Thailand and finish in Siem Reap.

The first pilgrimage was in 2017 across the five countries, with the opening ceremony taking place in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand, and the convoy continued to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The opening and closing ceremonies of the coming event will be attended by senior government leaders from each country as well as the supreme Buddhist leaders from the five Mekong region countries.

The pilgrimage and preparations for the grand almsgiving ceremony for 300 monks, which will take place in Vientiane on October 26, were announced at a press conference on Friday. The ceremony will welcome the arrival of the Dharma Yatra caravan in Vientiane.

Speaking at the press conference, director-general of the Religions Department of the Lao Front for National Development, Khanonglith Sisomboun, said the Front had coordinated with provincial authorities to ensure security and ease of passage for the convoy.

“Several Buddhist activities are planned for the rally in Oudomxay and Luang Prabang provinces and in Vientiane. These will comprise almsgivings, Dharma talks and visits to cultural and Buddhist landmarks at these three destinations.”

Director-general of the Propaganda Department of the Lao Front for National Development, Keochaleun Xiayingyang, said the pilgrimage would not only serve to promote Buddhism but would strengthen relations between the peoples of the five countries involved.

This second Dharma Yatra pilgrimage is organised by the Bodhigayavijjalaya 980 Institute and the Verapuchong Foundation.

The event upholds the Buddhist principle of solidarity and understanding of cultures between the countries of the Mekong region.