Sect attempts world record

Flickering message: Monks lighting candles arranged in the shape of Earth at the Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani province. — Reuters

BUDDHIST monks chanted around a spaceship-shaped golden shrine, as a controversial Thai sect burned 330,000 candles attempting a Guinness World Record for the largest flaming image – all to commemorate Earth Day.

The candles, in the shape of a map of the world and a Buddha figure, were arranged around the central shrine at the Dhammakaya sect’s 31ha compound, north of Bangkok, on Thursday.