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On England, there is a book called 'A Journey Round My Father'. In the book, the author does not actually walk round his father! Instead, the book is a tribute to the author's late father. The author explores with deep reverance, in the recollections of his childhood memories, all aspects of the life and personality of his father. On the night of Maghapūjā Day. I joined the rest of the Kalyāṇamitta (Good Friends) to make 'A Journey Round Our Father': Unlike the English author, we had actually come to circumambulate the Buddha Image, recollecting the Lord Buddha. Approximately 15,000 Kalyāṇamitta had gathered together for the ceremony on the Training Ground at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. As the sun's light slipped below the horizon, the dusk was light-up anew by the light of thousands of candle lanterns. From a single flame flickering at the feet of the huge image of the Lord Buddha, the monks of the Sangha spread the Buddha's light across the face of the Training Ground to all those ready to receive it. There was the call to all Kalyāṇamitta, to take a candle lantern and join the Sangha in circumambulating the Lord Buddha. Many people joined the procession, but just as many held back, content to watch the other people participating. This was the first sign that it is not an easy thing to Pay Tribute to the Buddha: some people never even attempt it, because caught-up with a circle of doubting friends, they are too shy to make the first step towards challenging their own potential. Meanwhile, in other parts of the Training Ground, Kalyāṇamitta encouraged those who were uncertain, to take-hold of the candle-light and try-out its possibilities. The Sangha made their journey round the Buddha on the Inner Circuit of the Training Ground, closest to the Buddha Himself. More distant, the Procession of Kalyāṇamitta, followed in the footsteps of the Sarigha, circumambulating on the Outer Circuit. So, all the devotees, had the chance to follow the Path of Paying Tribute to the Buddha. In some places the Path was easy to follow. The light held by each person was bright and unwavering. The light of Happiness and Faith. Friends walked side-by-side, their faces glowing in the candlelight. Then came the second sign that it is not an easy thing to Pay Tribute to the Buddha. In places, gusts of wind howled across the Path, blowing out the candle flames of some of the devotees. Kalyāṇamitta developed skilful ways to hold the lantern to protect the flame from the wind. The most skilled devotees managed to continue along the Path without losing their flame. My candle, after withstanding the initial gusts of wind, finally blew out. How can you follow the Path of Paying Tribute to the Buddha, when you have no lamp to light your Way? It was then that I understood what we mean by "Kalyāṇamitta'. There are often times when we lose our ability to sustain our Happiness and Confidence, when dealing with things of the World. The only thing that can prevent us from despair is the support of good friends who are more secure than us, in the face of troubles. And here, all along the Outer Circuit of the Buddha's Path are Kalyanamitta, with their candles still alight and shining. Some have stopped, sacrificing their own place on the Path to help others less fortunate than themselves. These friends however, are not lighting-up the Path for me. These Kalyanamitta are relighting the candles of those that have fallen into darkness, giving them a new chance to light their own way along the Path. And so, sooner that we expected, we found that having overcome the difficulties, that we had already made a full Journey around the Lord Buddha. Some people travelled the whole Path quickly and others travelled more slowly. After persevering and accepting the help of other Kalyāṇamitta in our times of need, it was apparent that all those people who set out on the Path, travelling at whatever pace that is suitable for them, will eventually succeed in following the Path to its Triumphant Completion. Kalyanamitra.org กั ล ย า ณ ม ต ร ๕๑