Thailand as a Buddhist country, constantly observes its religious rituals in combination with their culture in every sector of the society, starting from the education sector to the government sectors respectively. It is to remind the people that despite the worldly things and challenges attached to the industrialized world, they are required to also acknowledge the religious ceremonies and keep it sacred. It is constitutionalized in every institution in Thailand to follow these ceremonies.
On the 24th of July 2015, Siam University had taken part in what is called the “Triple Gem” in Buddhism, which involves offering of incense, pouring of water and lightening of candles. This is a contemplative gratitude and inspiration that involves simple exercises. In this ritual practice, there was a lightening of candles, pouring of water and burning of incense to signify the presence of petitions and well-wishes for a better tomorrow, and also to send the monks back to the temple for the rest of the rainy season. It is done to remind the people of the most precious period in the Buddhism religion. This period monks will stay in the temples, and are not expected to be seen around neighborhood in the reminiscence of the penances of Lord Buddha in his period in the deciduous and pristine jungle. This period monks and Buddhists are expected to live a stoic life throughout the season.
Siam University President Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit together with some University staff actively participated in this ceremony. In Buddhist indoctrination, lighting of candles symbolizes wisdom, as Light drives away darkness, thus dispels darkness of ignorance and brings forth wisdom. The President Dr. Pornchai Mongkhonvanit had led in the procession of the lightening of candles in the decorated tabernacle to leisurely indicate its commitments in pursuing wisdom into the institution. In the same ceremony, there was also pouring of water to the decorated steel basins filled with jasmine flowers of which this contemplative process signified purity, calmness, and clarity. This is to cleanse the mind from attaching to ignorance and purify it with an infinite space of different perspective, and also to acquire suitable knowledge for a better future of the society. The last session of the ritual ceremony was the offering of incense, which signifies a fragrance of moral conduct and a reminder of good behavior from the people. Now, Siam University and its’ staff are reminded of the importance of life virtues beyond worldly ambitions.
If Siam University in its’ broadness and immense participation in academic activities, is ceaselessly driven and constantly engages in religious rituals, and yet fits it in her agenda. Then, she has reached the apex of being an epitome of sustaining “life virtues”.
