Thai meditation masters reach Golden Pagoda

Itagar, Nov 4: Dhammadipo and Saddhadiko, two Thai meditation masters, arrived at the Golden Pagoda msai on Friday on the occasion of the 7th Kathi Civara Da ceremony, coinciding with the auspicious full moon day. The two monks are masters of mind-training, a Thai concept of meditation. They arrived with a delegation of 17 devotees. Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein accorded them a warm reception.

The two monks belong to Ban Wang Muang, the privately-owned Dhamma and mind-training development centre in honour of the King of Thailand. As part of the Kathi Civara Da, the holy relics of Lord Buddha that arrived on Monday, Patesas (money trees) and an image of the Buddha were taken out in a procession on the pagoda premises. The Buddha image had been consecrated by Laong Boonprasert from Thailand.

Later, the devotees assembled at the Ho-Maan Taap (cultural hall), venerated the monks and consecrated the Civaras (monk robes). The DCM appreciated the Thai delegation for coming to the Golden Pagoda for the second year in a row to participate in the Kathi Civara Da ceremony of the Golden Pagoda. He said this will go a long way in strengthening the cultural and spiritual bonding between the people of Aruchal and Thailand.

He added that Golden Pagoda is a social asset and should serve as a platform for spiritual development.