Hundreds of Buddhists gathered at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on October 25 morning to mourn the loss of the Supreme Patriarch. The hospital allowed the public to pay their respect until 12:00 pm.
The body of the late Supreme Patriarch was then moved to Wat Bovoranives Temple . According to the Supreme Patriarch’s Assistant Secretary Ven. Phra Dr. Anil Sakya, the public will be allowed to attend the funeral bathing rite at Wat Bovoranives Temple , from 1 pm–5 pm. However, taking pictures of his body will be strictly prohibited.
Buddhists have already begun to arrive at Wat Bovoranives Temple awaiting the procession carrying the Supreme Patriarch’s body. Many of them have purchased amulets celebrating his 100th anniversary.
Later this evening, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, representing the King, will preside over the funeral bathing rite at 17:00.
Meanwhile, national flags at state agencies, state enterprises, and education institutes have been half-mast for three days, until October 27. Selected temples in every province are holding ceremonies to allow people in the province to pay respect to the pictures of the Supreme Patriarch.
All Thai government units have begun a 15-day mourning period for the Supreme Patriarch, who passed away on October 24 when he just turned 100. He was the longest living Supreme Patriarch in the Thai history.-VNA
