Sunday November 7, 2021 – Khon Kaen University held the 2021 Khon Kaen University Kathin Robe Presentation Ceremony at Phu Takham Forest Monastery, Ban Phu Takham, Tha Sila Sub-district, Song Dao District, Sakonnakhon. Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University presided over the ceremony on the part of the laity, while Luang Po Thongpan Jaruwanno, the Abbot of Phu Takham Forest Monastery presided over the ceremony on the part of the monks. Among honorable participants were Assoc. Prof. Niyom Wongpongkham, Ph.D., Vice President for Art, Culture, and Creative Economy; Assoc. Prof. Piansak Pakdee, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relation; administrators of the University, lecturers, staff, students, and faithful Buddhists. The Kathin robes were presented to the monks at the monastery together with the cash at the amount of 1,681,313 baht, from the University allocation and donators, and an amount donated by Buddhists at Phu Takham Forest Monastery, totaling 6,062,666.75 baht.
On Saturday November 6, 2021, the Kathin set was celebrated at the monastery, with the abbot and monks praying. A number of KKU administrators, staff, students, honorable guests and the public attended the sermons presented by renowned monks including Luang Pu Boonlai Akkathammo from Phumidon Cave Monastery; Luang Pho Chawarat Kammasudtho from Tha Wang Hin Monastery; and Luang Pho Thongpan Jaruwanno, the Abbot of Phu Takham Forest Monastery.
On Sunday November 7, 2021, the 2021 KKU Kathin Robe Presentation Ceremony began at 7:30 a.m., with KKU President, presiding over the food offerings to 60 monks, and the robe presentation to the monks at 9:30 a.m. The participants joined in taking the Kathin robes and merit-making items onto the pavilion of the monastery. The President lit the candles and incense sticks, saying the words of Kathin Robe Presentation, and presenting the accompanying items to the monastery Abbot, Luang Pho Thongpan Jaruwanno. The monks prayed while all participants received the blessings and poured ceremonial water. The monks then held a small meeting to make decision on acceptance of the Kathin robes and to what monks should the robes be given.
Assoc. Prof. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, M.D., President of Khon Kaen University said that Khon Kaen University holds the Kathin Merit Making Ceremony every year. The purposes are to nurture Buddhism religion. This year, the Kathin Robe ceremony was performed at Phu Takham Forest Monastery because Luang Pho Thonpan Jaruwanno, the Abbot, was once admitted at Srinagarind Hospital. It was then decided that the ceremony this year would be held at Phu Takham Forest Monastery. The other purpose of the ceremony is to nurture art and culture, which will also be carried out in Loi Krathong Ceremony in November. At that ceremony, there will be the float of the Buddha Relics and merit making. Before the spread of Covid-19, KKU used to invite monks to give sermons, and food offerings were done every month. If the situation is improved, the University will resume the activities as usual.
The ceremony this year and the donation will be used for improving the monastery in many aspects, for example, building monk residential homes, building Cho Fa for the temple, dredging the monastery pond, building the fence, developing the lighting system around the area, and many other things, which will be useful for the public.
The ceremony this year was performed with measures strictly taken against Covid-19. All wore masks all through the ceremony, and all had been certified having received two shots of vaccination. Most important of all, the number of attendants was also limited.
News: Natthawut Jaruwong
Photos: Chaicharn Lada, Boriphat Thasi
