Thai Temple Dogs Join Monk on His Daily Alms Collection
A Buddhist monk in Thailand’s Pathum Thani province has gone viral for his daily alms collection route along the Chao Phraya River, accompanied by a pack of loyal temple dogs. What started with one abandoned dog at Wat Chin Wararam has grown into a group of more than 20, with about a dozen joining the monk’s morning boat ride each day. The centuries-old Theravada Buddhist tradition of giving alms allows worshippers to gain merit by offering food to monks. Locals say the orderly and affectionate dogs have brought joy and comfort to the ritual, especially during stressful global times. The monk says the dogs even know how to swim after a few playful tumbles into the river.
