Buddhists’ holy day celebration
HUNDREDS of Buddhists descended on Wat Phra Singh temple in Runcorn for two holy days.
Organisers estimated that up to visitors attended for the Songkran festival, which is a reminder for followers of Buddha’s teachings to recognise and respect what their parents have done for them.
Those attending were served with food as thanks for their support.
A week later the temple marked Visakha Puja Day. ●
Jenny Stubbs, Wat Phra Singh secretary, said this is the holiest day for Buddhists and celebrates the birth, enlightenment and nirvana of the Buddha, and is commemorated by doing good deeds and attending sermons.
The days are just a glimpse of the packed year ahead for the temple, which attracts visitors from across the North West and guest monks from Thailand.
Among the highlights will be the start of work on constructing an traditional ‘ubosot’ ordination hall, which will provide an enclosed venue for events to replace the existing arrangement of installing a temporary marquee and stage when ceremonies are taking place.
Jenny said: “2017 is a very busy year for the temple, with our third anniversary of the opening day coming up in July, followed by Wan Si Ra Reuk groundbreaking ceremony in August, for the ubosot new temple hall.
“This will hopefully be attended by local dignitaries, along with a large number of Buddhist monks from our parent temple in Chiang Mai, led by Luang Por Sopano, Abbott of Wat Phra Singh Chiang Mai. The ubosot hall will be only the second one of its kind in the UK outside London.”