Hungry people heading into the new Cherry Hill location of Aloy Thai Eatery for lunch on August 25 encountered an unusual sight: In the back corner of the restaurant, which had opened its doors just a few days earlier, was a group of men with shaved heads wearing orange robes, seated and chanting over a feast of food placed before them. They were Buddhist monks, there to conduct an official opening blessing for Aloy Thai's fourth location.

Thai community members responded by chanting along, their hands in prayer and heads bowed. They continued praying until one monk dipped a large brush into a bowl of water and sprayed it at the men across from him, blessing them.

Then he stood and walked through the restaurant, spraying water a customers and the restaurant's staff behind the counter.

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