“SONGKRAN” is the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year. Songkran is the day of celebration, customarily originated in Southeastern Asia, Thailand, Laos,Cambodia, Sri Lanka. It usually falls on April 13th of every year.
“SONGKRAN” is traditionally a water-blessing ceremony. This is the time to begin the year by extending the gestures of respect to the elders, teacher etc., wishing them longevity and happiness, by pouring water on their hands. Songkran, traditionally, is the time that all celebrate the successful harvesting season, preparing for the New Year and a new beginning.
The day usually begins with offering alms food to the monks, being generous to others, developing and purifying the mind. These merit-making endeavors are the welcome beginning of new life and the New Year. It is also the time to show the debt of gratitude to the deceased that one respects and to all, by extending one’s accumulative merits to them.
“Songkran day” is usually consisted of:
- Offering alms food and other requisites to the monks.
- Extending merits to the deceased
- Water – blessing, by pouring water on the hands of the elders and monks.
Program
Sunday, April 16, 2023
10:15 am.Offering alms food
11:00 am.Repast
01:00 pm.Delivery of sermon.
01:30 pm.Offering the robe and the monks.
02:30 pm.Water – blessing begin with dripping water on the image of the Buddha, the hands of the monks and elders.
2421 Old Vineland Rd., Kissimmee, FL 34746 Tel (407) 397-9552, (407) 353-5562
E-mail: watfloridadhammaram@