Merit-making on Visakha Bucha Day in Bangkok

01/18

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A mother and son apply gold leaf to Lord Budddha's left hand.

02/18

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A mother and son apply gold leaf to a statue of Buddha.

03/18

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Close-up of the partially gold-leafed head of a Buddha statue.

04/18

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This young boy has so far been unable to stand a coin on its side in a large donation tray.

05/18

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An elderly woman applies gold leaf to Lord Buddha's right wrist.

06/18

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Teamwork, as visitors combine to apply gold leaf to various parts of a statue of Buddha.

07/18

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At the Royal Park Plaza in Paradise Park, visitors read the merit-making messages written by worshippers on heart-shaped paper Bodhi 'leaves' like those from the Pipal fig tree under which Buddha found Enlightenment.

08/18

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Some of the many messages written by worshippers on heart-shaped paper Bodhi 'leaves' dangling from a stylised Pipal fig tree under which Buddha found Enlightenment.

09/18

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A mother and her daughter sit in front of a monk shortly before handing his their donations and receiving his blessing.

10/18

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A man stretches up to apply gold leaf to Buddha's raised hand right hand.

11/18

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In the Royal Park Plaza, the pinnacle of a tall religious display cuts across a glowing giant video screen which bears an image of Lord Buddha.

12/18

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A small girl drops a coin into a donation bowl, as her father stands next to her supplying the money.

13/18

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Children seem to have their own different styles of dropping coins into rows of donation bowls.

14/18

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Close-up of the gold-leafed right hand of Lord Buddha.

15/18

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A woman prays before the extended gold-leafed hand of Lord Buddha.

16/18

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Worshippers queue up for their turn to pay their respects before images of Lord Buddha.

17/18

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Merit-makers write their personal details on these golden squares of paper and make donations to temples and various charities, the merits subsequently being earned when monks use the squares during prayer.

18/18

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A man pays his respects to his great teacher, Lord Buddha.

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In honour of the 2,600th anniversary of Lord Buddha's enlightenment, Bangkok's Paradise Park marks Visakha Bucha Day with a series of merit-making events until June 7th.

Paradise Park, the recently renovated shopping mall in eastern Bangkok, hosts a week of activities including the joint making of Buddha images and daily dhamma talks given by renowned monks. Buddha relics are also on display for those wishing to pay homage.
Visitors, including many children, apply gold leaf to Buddha statues, make donations, pray and receive blessings from monks.