Saturday October 3, 2020 – Khon Kaen University hosted the KKU Kathin Merit Making of 2020. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the ceremony for the layperson part. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niyom Wongpongkham, Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, administrators, lecturers and staff of KKU and friends joined. The merit making took place at Chaisri Temple, Ban Sawathee, Sawathee Sub-district, Muang District, Khon Kaen. Phra Khru Bunchayakorn, the abbot, presided over the ceremony for the cleric part. The total amount of money given to the temple was 1,660,240 baht.
Friday October 2, 2020 – The Kathin was set for the celebration ceremony at Sirikunakorn Building, Khon Kaen University. At 7:00 a.m., Buddhists, administrators, lecturers, staff and students were ready to participate in the merit making by offering food to 9 monks. The monks then prayed for the attendants. During the whole day, people took turn coming to give money for the Kathin. Then at 17:30 p.m., the celebration of Kathin took place with administrators, lecturers, staff and students attending and listening to a sermon by a monk.
Saturday October 3, 2020, 09:09 a.m. – Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University led KKU administrators, staff and students including guests and a number of Buddhist people traveled to Chaisri Temple, Ban Sawathee, Sawathee Sub-district, Muang District, Khon Kaen. The procession of KKU Kathin began from the bridge to the village and moved towards the temple. When reaching the temple, the procession moved clockwise three times around the temple hall. Next, the Kathin was moved and placed in the sermon hall of the temple. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul then presided over the presentation of Kathin cloth to the abbot, the cleric chairperson. All of the attendants then presented the four necessities, etc. to the monks, who received the items. The chairperson of the ceremony and the guests poured the ceremonial water and received the abbot’s blessings. The monks then performed a ceremony in accepting Kathin and discussed which monk should be given the Kathin cloth. This ceremony ended with the monks praying.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University related about the art and culture policy of Khon Kaen University. “Khon Kaen University is a principle university of the Northeast. The art and cultural mission is from the policy we have always had. The Vice President Art, Culture, and Creative Economy is in charge of this. The mission includes all activities related to art, culture, traditions, religions. For example, Loi Krathing, Songkran, etc., are held every year and lately have been the regional festivals. This year, because of Covid, the activities can not be held as usual. When the pandemic becomes contained, KKU will continue to organize the traditional events and plans to do this at an international level.”
Kathin Merit Making is held once a year. It is done within one month after the Buddhist Lent ends, or from the 1st waning moon of the eleventh month to the 15th waxing moon of the 12th month. Kathin is a tradition merit making that Khon Kaen University people all join for good deeds and virtue for the future and to succeed the religion and tradition.
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News: Wachara Noichompoo
Photos: Natthawut Jaruwong and Wachara Noichompoo