Greetings 2025 with Great Merit

Soft Power for Honoring and Protecting Buddhism

As President of Knowing Buddha for the Protection of Buddhism, I organized a procession of Buddha image at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan. The purpose was to sustain and protect Buddhism and emphasized that this is the land of Buddhism.

With kind support and permission from Phra Phrom Wachiramethi (Somkiat Gowitho), Abbot of Wat ArunRatchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, we were allowed to carry the replica Buddha image of “Phra Phuttha Thammitsarat Lokkathat Dilok” on the procession under the Thai Culture theme. There were greetings and thank-you signs to tourists who visited the country during the New Year holidays from all over the world. This was a great opportunity to show them the beauty of Thai culture and let them see how a Buddha image should be treated with humility. Getting the messages across in pictures through their updates and posts on social media is another way to make a good use of soft power to show homage to the Buddha.

The event received overwhelming interest from foreigners as they were impressed with the Buddhist way, apart from having an opportunity to make wishes to the Buddha image in front of them. Such was a beautiful merit-making activity with great opportunity to promote and protect Buddhism. It took place from January 3 to January 5, starting at 4 pm. until the temple was closed.

I would like to show my heartfelt thank-you to Phra Phrom Wachiramethi, Abbot of Wat Arun Ratchawaramahawihan for his kindness for giving us the opportunity to do this meritorious deed to protect Buddhism.

Ajarn Acharavadee Wongsakon
5 Juanuary 2025