Show Caption

Hide Caption

Video: How Thai Buddhist monks celebrate New Year's Eve

Time is an illusion, the Buddha taught. So, how do the Thai Buddhist monks of Wat Mongkoltepmune spend New Year's Eve. Four hours of chanting.

James McGinnis, Bucks County Courier Times

Bang pots. Catch some fireworks. Or go seek inner peace.

On New Years Eve, five Buddhist monks will gather at the Mongkoltepmunee temple in Bensalem to chant age-old blessings of happiness, protectionand peace.

After two hours of incantationstarting at 10 p.m., the monks will stop at midnight to meditate and bless all thosein attendance at the temple at 3304 Knights Road.

Then, they will return to chantingfor another two hours before the sun rises onJan1, 2022.

New Years is not a particularly importantevent for Thai Buddhist monks, who believe time is an illusion. The Buddha taught to live in the present moment. Don't worry about the future or past.

Yet, karma is also a factor for the faithful. The things you doin 2022coulddetermine your status in the next life.

We set the intention for happiness and peace, said Monk DhammaratMahorjan of the New Year's ceremony.

You must find happiness and peace," he explained."If you are not at peace, how can you help others?

Blessings will be chosen for peace and happiness in the new year, Mahorjan said.

If you go to Mongkoltepmunee, masks are required when inside the temple, and you mustremove your shoes uponentry.

More local treasures: The legend of Buckingham's 'Quaker Joe' Smith and news from the Durham Mill | LaVO

More: The forgotten story of Alice, who captained Dunk's Ferry with George Washington as passenger

Monks of Theravada, or "School of Elders," Buddhismbelieve the spirit is polluted by the trappings, temptations and fears of modern life.

During meditation, they visualize the spirit, or consciousness, as a glass orb filled with a luminescent light. This orb of consciousness rests in the center of the body, just above the navel.

Monks of the Wat Mongkoltepmunee (pronounced Mong-kol-tape-mu-nee) first began their work in Bensalem in 2008 where they constructed aglittering temple off Knights Road.

The seven-story temple is adorned with trimmings of red and gold imported from the Far East.

Climb the cascading stairs and you might come face to face with a 6-foot golden Buddha imported from Thailand. Inside, chandeliers splinter the sunlight.Outside, glimmering bronze deities dance atop pillars of evergreen.

The Mongkoltepmunee order has long held meditation classes for the general public. Novices are invited to meditation practices at 4 p.m. every Saturday.

Many in-person temple activities were cancelled because of COVID-19. Chanting for the sick and some meditations wereconducted on Zoom. Incantations such as Ratana Sutta became a protective chant and blessing used during the pandemic.

Bensalem'sfiveMongkoltepmunee monks rise and meditate from 5 to 7 a.m. every day before breakfast. They cannot eat after 2 p.m. and must fast until the following morning.

On a recent Monday, Maree Kirkpatrick, of Bensalem, was volunteering in the temple. The monks do not makerequests for specific meals, as they should avoid desire and temptation for any item.

Kirkpatrick prepared for the monks an aromatic dish of chili and garlic over rice, she said. "They do not request it, but I know what they like."

Contact reporter James McGinnis at jmcginnis@couriertimes.com

Link:

How to celebrate New Year's Eve with Buddhist monks at Mongkoltepmunee temple in Bensalem - Bucks County Courier Times