THE KING set a good example during his monkhood, the abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Temple said yesterday as he called on Thais to not grieve and instead focus on doing good deeds in memory of His Majesty.
Somdej Phra Wannarat, head of Dhammyuttika and abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara, was recalling memories of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadj when he was a monk at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara Temple some 60 years ago.
“I had just become a monk at that time. I can still remember when His Majesty was a monk, because he had outstanding manners,” Somdej Phra Wannarat said.
He said that even though His Majesty was in saffron robes for just 15 days, he practised his duties very well.
“While he was here, he carried out all the duties that an ordinary monk does. He went for alms in the morning, said his prayers regularly and was often called upon to perform rituals. He was a role model for being a good monk,” the abbot said.
Somdej Phra Wannarat, who is 80 now, donned saffron robes the same year His Majesty took up monkhood.
“I was ordained as novice for three years before becoming a monk, but I was not as good as His Majesty,” he said.
As per Thai tradition, all Buddhist men beyond the age of 20 are expected to enter the monkhood at least once in their lives. The late monarch, in keeping with tradition, ordained at the age of 29 from October 22 to November 5, 1956.
The 13th Supreme Patriarch Somdet Kromma Luang Vajirananavong ordained the monarch at the Emerald Buddha Temple, giving him the religious name of Bhumiphalo.
Somdej Phra Wannarat remembered that His Majesty was very humble.
“He always went barefoot when collecting alms and received offerings from one and all. He always did the alms-round unless he had an appointment to perform rituals elsewhere,” the abbot said.
With the country plunged in sorrow after the passing of His Majesty, the abbot said people should instead make merit in memory of their beloved monarch. “Death and departure is a natural way of life. We all have to die one day. We should not be sad for his death, but use this as an opportunity to do good deeds in celebration of his life,” he said.
The public can attend prayer sessions for His Majesty at Wat Bowonniwet Vihara at 8pm every day or join a special service at 3pm every weekend until next month.