On 5 May 2013, the Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid organizes the Vesak Day Ceremony for 2013, by inviting several venerable Buddhist monks from Thailand such as Phradhammakittivong of Wat Ratchaoros Temple, Phra Atthakijkosol of Wat Praram Kao Temple, Phra Mahanayok, Phra Soponkanaporn and Phra Charan Pornkot from Wat Bavornnivetviharn Temple to perform Buddhist ceremony upon the auspicious occasion.                                     

               Activities of the Vesak Day Ceremony included the Buddhist “Wian Tian” or candle lighting ceremony, the offering of food to the monks by the Thai community in Spain and the sermon by Phradhammakittivong on the subject of Buddhist teachings in connection to the importance of charity, tolerance, forgiveness and harmonious social coexistence. Over 200 persons of the Thai community, e.g. Thai businessmen, students, families, have participated in the said activities.  The Thai families in Madrid also brought their children and Spanish spouses to witness the ceremony.

               This is the third Vesak Day Ceremony organized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Madrid. The recent Vesak Day Ceremony was organized on May 2012 and also received enthusiastic response and participation of the Thai community in Spain. The Thai people in Spain considered  Vesak Day Ceremony as one of the best opportunity to educate their children on Buddhism and to foster their children’s cultural and religious ties to Thailand. Moreover, the Ceremony provided a good opportunity for the Thai community to get together and meeting with the Buddhist monks, which corresponds to the Royal Thai Embassy policy of supporting social cohesion and close interaction among the Thai community, as well as to further enhance Thai community’s peaceful coexistence within the Spanish community.