67 monks in alms ceremony for 67th National Day

Blessed offerings: Devotees placing food in the monks’ bowls during the 2024 Merdeka Blessings organised by Ubom at SMJK Phor Tay in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: In celebration of the country’s 67th National Day, 67 monks of the Theravada tradition took part in the sacred Pindapata ceremony (traditional alms offering or receiving) during the 2024 Merdeka Blessings and Mahasanghikadana event held at SMJK Phor Tay, Penang.

The barefoot monks, draped in saffron-coloured robes, walked silently with their alms bowls to receive offerings by devotees during the ceremony yesterday morning, which was part of the event organised by the United Buddhist Order of Malaysia (Ubom).Alms-begging is a 2,500-year-old practice of Buddhist monks of the Theravada tradition.