Joyful almsgiving at grand assembly of forest monks

Devotees offering alms during the historic grand assembly of forest monks at Padang Polo in Penang. – LIM BENG TATT/The Star

SOME 1,000 Buddhist devotees carrying bags of vegetarian food offered alms to about 60 monks and nuns, a practice known as pindapata, at the first ever grand assembly of forest monks in Penang.

Despite the rain, the event held at Padang Polo saw devotees with raincoats and umbrellas gathering as early as 7am to station themselves along the Pindapata route.