Bangkok temples to ring with prayers March 25
His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch will participate in a prayer-chanting ceremony along with monks from temples in Bangkok on March 25, to be televised nationwide.
The public is encouraged to watch the ceremony at home, as it is organised to raise spirits during the Covid-19 crisis and make merit for those affected.
Thewan Liptapanlop of the Prime Minister’s Office Minister said on Wednesday (March 18) that laypeople in attendance will be screened on entry and should always keep a one-metre distance from others.
“His Holiness will chant the Ratana Sutta, which is a part of Pali Canon’s Sutta Nipata,” Thewan said.
The government has no plans currently to close major temples during the crisis, he added. Some, such as Wat Sothonwararam in Chachoengsao, are highly popular among tourists and the faithful.
“The government has, however, ordered provincial offices to clean public areas with disinfectant and to provide monks with face masks.
“In the future we might consider screening measures or limiting the number of visitors to each temple per day, depending on the situation.”