A week-long Visakha Bucha ceremony kicks off

BANGKOK: -- A week-long Visakha Bucha religious ceremony was launched by the Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayothin at the Sanam Luang Royal Ceremonial Ground near the Grand Palace on Monday.

The holy Buddha relic from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha was carried to the ceremonial site.

The public will be allowed to pay their respects to the Buddhist relic everyday during the Visakha Bucha celebration until 22 May.

Other activities during the week-long ceremony include offering alms to monks and Dhamma discussions with more than 500 monks, who will take turns to meet worshippers during the seven-day Buddhist celebration.

Three thousand monks and more than ten thousand worshippers are expected to participate in mass prayers every evening.

Visakha Bucha day falls on 22 May this year.

Buddhists worship the Lord Buddha on the full moon day of the sixth lunar month as this marks the day when Lord Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, and passed away.

Visakha Bucha day was recognised by UNESCO in December 1999 as a World Heritage Day.

--TNA 2005-05-16

Nice to see you in the Buddhist forum George.

The article does not say where these meetings will take place - I presume it is all at Sanam Luang.