Friday April 8, 2022 – Khon Kaen University organized an event on the occasion of the 5th month merit making (Buddha Bucha Somma Avuso) of 2022 with an aim to nurture Thai graceful art and culture. The event was officially opened and participated by Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University along with members of Khon Kaen University Council; the University administrators. Also attending were lecturers, retired seniors, students, staff members of KKU and distinguished guest. The event took place at the Art and Cultural Center by Si Than Lake, Khon Kaen University.
The event started at 16:00 p.m. KKU students and staff joined in the competition of sand pagoda building at Si Than Lake. Then at 17:00 p.m. the procession of Buddha Image and Nang Sangkhan began. The procession was led by Dr. Narongchai Arkasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University Council; Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University; members of the University Council including Khun Surapon Phetwara, Vice Chairman of the University Council; Emeritus Professor Sastri Saowakontha, M.D., Khun Pramode Vidtayasuk, Khun Kessara Manchusri, Dr. Thawarat Sutabutr, Assoc. Prof. Thanachart Numnonda, Ph.D., Prof. Somchart Soponronnarit, Ph.D., honorary members of the University Council; Asst. Prof. Denpong Soodphakdee, Ph.D., Vice President for Digital and Secretary of the University Council; Mrs. Suparat Moonsri, Director of the Office of Khon Kaen University Council and Assistant Secretary of the University Council. A group of administrators, lecturers, retired seniors, staff and students also joined in the procession, from in front of the Golden Jubilee Convention Center to Art and Cultural Building by Si Than Lake.
The event featured a performance of “Hod Had Sad Sonk” by a group of students from the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts of Khon Kaen University. The performance was appreciated by attendants owing to its beauty and graciousness and its reflection of Isan people’s ways of living that are attached to Songkran festival. The performance related about the tradition of tree procession. This is considered an act of homage paying to the Triple Gems with flowers and is normally held on Songkran day or Thai New Year Day. Folks collect fresh and beautiful flowers in bundles, arranged them in trays, or small and big bai-sri trays before paying homage to the Triple Gems, and asking for happiness and prosperity, for normal seasonal rainfall, for good paddy products, and for peace and happiness of the country.
At 17:30 p.m., the activity of candle and incense stick lighting took place, with citation of worshipping to Luang Pho Phra Sri 50th Year KKU and sprinkling of water. This activity was led by Dr. Narongchai Arkasanee, Chairman of Khon Kaen University Council and Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University. The next session was water sprinkling of Phra Buddha Silpa and the ritual demonstrating sorrowfulness towards the elderly, led by the President. The hand woven cloth from Choonabot District, Khon Kaen was used in this ritual. The cloth was given to KKU by Khun Pho Songkram Ngamying, Isan Heritage Artist of 2021. The distinguished elderly joining the ritual were: Professor Somporn Pho-nam, M.D., a former KKU President; Asst Prof. Anan Hirunsalee, Ph.D., Chairman of the KKU Elderly Club; Assoc. Prof. Ampon Ho-nak, Vice Chairman of the club; Asst. Prof. Niyada Ho-nak, Ajarn Chusri Khuchaisit, Vice Chairman of the KKU Elderly Club; Prof. Sukkachat Kerdphon, M.D., Advisor of the KKU Elderly Club, and the elderly from communities around Khon Kaen University campus.
At 19:30 p.m. presentations of prizes awarded to different competitions took place. There was also the flower offering ritual to 9 monks. This was followed by the activities of decoration of the 12-astrological cycle pagoda, and Isan folk art and cultural performance by Khon Kaen Mo Lam Association.
The 5th Month Merit Making (Buddha Bucha Somma Avuso) of 2022 was organized under strict measures against the spread of Covid-19. The organizers had to confirm their ATK tests before entering and doing their jobs at the place. Distancing and mask wearing all through the event were strictly observed by everyone. During the Songkran Festival, the public can visit the place and see the beauty of the 12-astrological cycle pagoda, pay homage to Luang Pho Phra Sri 50th Year KKU, the Buddha Image made of golden teak wood of the Mara-vichaya version built according to Luang Pho Phra Sai style, which is the Buddha Image of Lan Chang art, measuring a width of 2.40 m and a height of 3.20 m. People are welcomed to sprinkle water on the Buddha Image at Buddha Silpa Sathan, Cultural Center, Khon Kaen Univesity all through the month of April.
The activity photographs are available at: บรรยากาศงานบุญเดือน 5 แห่พุทธบูชาสมมาอาวุโส 2565
(Atmosphere of the 5th Month Merit Making (Buddha Bucha Somma Avuso) of 2022)
News / Photos: Communications Division, Khon Kaen University
