Harris of the USA pledges to advertise concord on the finish of the journey, write the Publish journalists
US Vice President Kamala Harris pays a courtesy name on the Supreme Patriarch at Wat Ratchabophit throughout her go to to Bangkok. (US Embassy photograph)
US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatanana on Sunday on the historic Wat Ratchabophit in Bangkok, the place they mentioned selling social concord and reaching sustainable financial growth within the area. and past.
The assembly was held on the heels of the twenty ninth Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation (Apec) Leaders’ Summit.
Wat Ratchabophit was established in 1870 by King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V. It options a mixture of Thai and Gothic structure. The temple is taken into account the epitome of magnificence amongst followers of Theravada Buddhism.
Upon arrival, Mrs. Harris eliminated her footwear earlier than coming into the ordination corridor. A Gothic rib vault with gilded pillars varieties the principle framework of the corridor, which is lined with Viridian partitions on all 4 sides.
Contrasting with the delicate blue-green background, flowers painted in gold complement the golden floral motifs that cowl the whole ceiling of the nave.
As Mrs. Harris approached the central platform, she provided a bouquet of incense, candles and flowers to the Supreme Patriarch.
With over 70 years of expertise in monastic life, the Supreme Patriarch is just not solely Thailand’s preeminent spiritual figurehead, but in addition a extremely revered determine within the world Buddhist neighborhood. On the age of 95, he’s praised for his mild demeanor, sleek self-discipline and strict dedication to asceticism.
Based on the Workplace of the Supreme Patriarch, the Supreme Patriarch informed Ms. Harris that “on this important chapel the place we’re gathered is the fantastically carved picture of Lord Buddha, named Buddha-Angirasa, whose presence recollects the good religious chief who spent his life looking for, discovering and declaring the noble truths to information humanity in direction of a world with out battle or animosity.
“Beneath the Buddha picture are the relics and stays of nice monarchs who witnessed the flourishing bilateral relationship between the USA of America and the Kingdom of Thailand,” His Holiness added.
“Our friendship is woven from a mutual understanding based mostly on the liberty of conscience, perception and faith that the ancestors of our two nations so painstakingly cultivated.
“As such, your go to can be remembered, cherished and celebrated as an indeniable testomony to our eternal relationship and legacy, following the custom of our ancestors whereas preserving it for future generations.”
Ms Harris mentioned she was honored to go to the temple and mentioned she aimed to advertise peace and concord on this planet.
She mentioned she believed that if individuals from numerous spiritual, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds understood one another, mutual understanding and peaceable coexistence can be promoted.
The Supreme Patriarch wished Ms. Harris each success in her mission. He additionally invited her to watch the decorative plaque that Rama V had positioned above the exit door of the chapel. He inscribed therein a saying written within the sacred language of Pali which will be translated as “Unity between individuals in concord provides prosperity”.
“Peace would give us the means to realize our final purpose of sustainable social and financial growth for the individuals of the Asia-Pacific area in addition to for the worldwide neighborhood,” the Supreme Patriarch mentioned.
The dialog was adopted by a go to by the Vice President led by Somdet Phra Mahaweerawong, Vice Abbot and Secretary to the Supreme Patriarch. Their route circled the Chedi Stupa, situated within the coronary heart of the temple, twice in a clockwise path, signifying an auspicious event.
Stupas are sacred Buddhist constructions, with a historical past courting again 1000’s of years to historic India, and infrequently home sacred artifacts comparable to relics of Lord Buddha or sculptures of nice significance. The central stupa of Wat Ratchabophit homes a sandstone picture of the Meditating Buddha, believed to be round 700 years outdated, sheltered below a seven-headed serpent.
Lastly, Mrs. Harris visited the Most important Meeting Corridor, one other Gothic-influenced constructing embellished in gold and rose, the place she signed a visitor guide earlier than leaving the temple.
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