Blessed offerings: Devotees placing food in the monks’ bowls during the 2024 Merdeka Blessings organised by Ubom at SMJK Phor Tay in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: In celebration of the country’s 67th National Day, 67 monks of the Theravada tradition took part in the sacred Pindapata ceremony (traditional alms offering or receiving) during the 2024 Merdeka Blessings and Mahasanghikadana event held at SMJK Phor Tay, Penang.
The barefoot monks, draped in saffron-coloured robes, walked silently with their alms bowls to receive offerings by devotees during the ceremony yesterday morning, which was part of the event organised by the United Buddhist Order of Malaysia (Ubom).Alms-begging is a 2,500-year-old practice of Buddhist monks of the Theravada tradition.
Upon renouncing all worldly pursuits to seek enlightenment by following the teachings of Buddha, monks are said to rely on the lay community for their basic needs.
Alms-begging is their principal method of obtaining daily nutritional necessities.Some 5,000 devotees, volunteers and guests attended the four-hour event, which started at 7am yesterday.
Devotees, who had queued as early as 6am at the school in Sungai Dua, waited patiently to offer alms to the monks. The queue extended all the way outside the school’s premises.
Ubom has been organising the event since 2000 except during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Organising vice-chairman Dr Yeap Gim Ean said the Pindapata ceremony shows the deep bond between the monastic community and the lay devotees.
“Their presence also serves as a symbolic tribute to our 67th year of independence, reflecting the enduring spirit of our National Day and our collective journey towards freedom and unity,” she said in her welcoming speech.
Dr Yeap said this year’s theme, “Harmonious Merdeka: Embracing Diversity with Kindness for a Brighter Tomorrow”, is a reminder for Malaysians to celebrate shared values of unity, compassion and diversity.
She thanked Penang Harmony Corporation for its RM2,000 contribution and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for his contribution of RM5,000.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, who was the guest-of-honour, said religious freedom and multiculturalism have made Malaysia one of the most unique countries in the world.
She said since the Madani government took office, the Housing and Local Government Ministry had received an annual allocation of RM50mil each year over the past two years to support non-Muslim religious sites nationwide.“As of July 18, a total of 338 non-Muslim places of worship across the country have received allocations totalling RM36.43mil,” she said.
Also present were Thai Consul-General in Penang Datuk Raschada Jiwalai, Ubom Malaysia chairman Phra Ajahn Lee Buchano, Ubom Penang chairman Phra Ajahn Kittisobhano, several state executive councillors and state assemblymen, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and event advisor Datuk Seri Steven Ooi, among others.
Lim later presented a RM50,000 mock cheque to Ubom.
The highlight of the event was the Mahasanghikadana offering, where devotees and sponsors presented offerings to more than 100 monks who were in attendance, symbolising generosity and community spirit.
The event also included a Paritta chanting ceremony, blessings by the Mahasangha and a discourse by Phra Vinayadhammavidesa @ Than Chao Kun Keng Khemako, which provided spiritual enrichment to devotees present.
The gathering concluded with a Dhamma talk by Phra Ajahn Jotipanno and a blessing ceremony.
