About the Event
During this special alms-giving ceremony, community members gather to offer food and necessities to monks while contemplating the broader meaning of love as understood in Buddhist philosophy. The monks accept these offerings and provide blessings that focus on developing loving-kindness, compassion, and goodwill toward all beings. The ceremony creates a meaningful alternative to commercial Valentine's celebrations, emphasizing spiritual connection and the cultivation of universal love rather than material expressions of affection.
Requirements
- Arrive by 09:00 AM to prepare offerings
- Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered
- Remove shoes before entering
- Women should place offerings in the monks' bowls without direct physical contact
- Maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor throughout the ceremony
- Appropriate offerings include: rice, fresh fruits, packaged foods, juice, and other non-perishable items
- Traditional red items or foods may be included to acknowledge the Valentine's theme
- Participants are encouraged to mentally extend thoughts of loving-kindness to all beings during the ceremony
All are welcome to participate in this meaningful practice that celebrates love in its most profound and universal form.
History of the Event
The Valentine's Day Alms-Round represents a beautiful fusion of Western cultural observance with traditional Buddhist practice. While Valentine's Day itself is not a traditional Buddhist holiday, Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham has adapted this occasion to emphasize the Buddhist concept of loving-kindness (metta) and compassion. This ceremony transforms a day often associated with romantic love into an opportunity to practice universal loving-kindness toward all beings, reflecting the Buddha's teachings on boundless love that extends beyond personal attachments.