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Many Sibu folks were caught unawares. The event was the Giving of Alms to Monks Procession, Sibu. Many did not know what to do. Sibu people ever generous wanted to offer alms but they did not know the ethics. Generous offers of cash were turned down.
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Altogether there were thirty eight of them from all over the globe. They were headed by Rev Bhante Mangala.
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I think for many, it was the first time they had seen monks up close.
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The police were around to ensure the traffic was smooth as traffic was almost at a standstill with so many cars on the road. Sibu has been choking with traffic – Chinese New Year shopping and the return of the sons and daughters of Sibu for the reunion dinner.
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They accepted only offerings of food.
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I am so glad it wasn’t a very hot day. They were walking barefoot. I was so worried they might step on a nail or something but fortunately nothing happened.
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This pic was taken at the Sibu Central Market.
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Teaching kids from young to respect the cloth and to be generous.
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No offering is too small. It is the heart that matters.
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All eyes were on them as the procession made its way to the end point. A bus was waiting for them near the Sibu Gateway.
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The monks were overwhelmed with the amount of offerings. They handed over the offerings to volunteers who helped them carry it. The begging bowl just couldn’t cope with the generosity of Sibu residents.
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Back to the temple in Jalan Kandis somewhere opposite Delta Mall for lunch with the generous offerings from the people of Sibu. There is a committee there who will ensure nothing is wasted and every bit of offering is fully utilized, shared or donated.
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A member of the committee giving us a briefing on the event.
This is the 1st time I have ever seen monks walked together to seek blessings from the public. :0
wow… i did this in laos… gotta wake up early, buy sticky rice and friuts… then wait the monks to come… =p like last 3 picture!! hoohoho
Wish I was there to see it
This is indication that there is still religious freedom and respect from people….Good to see it.
Interesting. People are too used to the “fake monks” asking for cash alms
Nice close up pixs of the monks, are they novice monks going through a short novitiate program in Sibu?
to be honest, I dont know
but i dont think so. They r part of a program to expose Buddhism to the people, they travel to many towns and like my friend Bovicent said, generally to promote global peace 
wow quite a procession of monks globally. from the last pic, did u take part along with other photographers for this event?
they are among my inner circle of photographer friends. we sometimes work as a team
It is good to know the generosity of Sibu people, young and old for this.
I think this is a good way to create awareness among the public. Nowadays we see so many ‘monks’ asking for money in the streets, the reputation is being tarnished.
i wonder if the practice of offering alms will instill some goodness in malaysians.
I’ve seen monks going around the neighbourhood market here but singly not in a group. But most people would shun them due to the bad publicity of imposers collecting cash alms .
The Theravada monks are bound by the Vinaya 227 rules and one of it is that they must only go for alms in the morning. They only accept food with the alms bowl and strictly no cash whatsoever. They have to eat just a meal a day before noon. Those that who ‘beg’ for money and in the afternoon are the bogus monks out to seek sympathy on innocent and ignorant people.
This is a good post. I don’t see this in KL!