You experience everything in Thailand (166)
At the temple, 3x around the temple and scattering the coins
Although the Thai does not really differ much from the average Belgian or Dutch person, you sometimes experience something in Thailand that you will not easily experience in Belgium or the Netherlands. That's what this series of stories is about. Today a new story by Jan Ruigrok.
Time of year, become a monk
Traditionally, January through February is when young men spend time in the temple. This is an important event in the life of a young man (20+) towards adulthood. I have been able to experience a number of these parties with family. The last time we drove to the countryside of Khorat, 250 km away. Here is a report of such a party. I have to say that I don't know all the meanings of the rituals.
Of course, the preparations start a day in advance, with the women in particular "working" on cooking together. The MooSap is being made. Chop pork by hand. The pickup is decorated.
The men set up the party tents, take care of the chairs and tables. To have an alcoholic snack after hard work. Usually the bottle of Lao Kao is finished earlier. The music installation is installed and already tested.
The day itself starts early. The music starts, the guests gather. The food and drink can begin. In our village there is 1 monk who comes to the house to guide the whole.
Elders are honored
The elderly have a special role in the whole on this day. The young man is taken aside by the elders. The elders are honored by the young man and asks forgiveness for the worries and troubles he caused in the past.
Attributes are retrieved from the Wat that are needed later.
Then it is time for the ritual in which all guests may participate. The young man is placed outside on a chair wearing only a loincloth or shorts. Anyone can cut off tufts of hair. This must be 3 tufts, the important number in Buddhism. Say congratulations while cutting. If you ever get to do this yourself, cut small tufts. Otherwise, others have nothing left to cut. Take off your slippers while cutting.
When everyone has cut, the remaining hair is shaved off by a family member. The eyebrows and other facial hair are also shaved off.
Cut hair
And then an entertaining sight for the bystanders less for the boy. The boy is washed with cold water. And if there are pranksters, some ice cream is also added. And January is already a cold month and at the end the poor boy's teeth are chattering.
Quickly into the house to get warm and put on traditional clothing with a beautiful white headscarf. Then it is time for the young man to be taken to the Wat. He sits in the back of a decorated pickup with his parents and grandparents. In a festive procession, accompanied by a mobile sound system or band, it goes through the village towards the temple.
The procession is now in a festive mood by consuming the necessary alcoholic refreshments. When we arrive at the Wat, we walk 3 times around a separate temple. Decorated coins are thrown for good luck. The doors of the temple are now open and everything is ready for the welcome ceremony by the monks.
The young man says a prayer in front of the temple. Then he is carried into the temple by tapping the top of the door. This is sometimes a bit difficult given the state of those who have to lift it. Once inside, a service of monks begins in which a number of elderly people are present. The other revelers go back to eat and drink the last leftovers.
This day even 3 boys went to the Wat
The next morning there is a service at the young man's home where he functions as a monk. Usually only family and neighbors are present at this service.
This time in the What is to be taught the teachings of Buddha and a point to maturity.
What I had always understood was that the boys stayed for a minimum of 3 months and longer if possible. Recently I noticed that there weren't that many boys walking around the Wat, while at least 6 had joined in recent weeks. Inquiries with my brother-in-law yielded a somewhat disappointing answer. The length of stay depends on the situation. Whether he already works or has a family. So I say; the 3 months right? No, it can also be a week or 10 days. So I say; actually it's just for show and not really to learn anything. It does explain why on other occasions such as deaths people often do not know exactly what, how and when something should be done.
Around their 10e years, the boys also go to the Wat for a short time (I think 1 or 2 days).
Did it myself for 6 weeks in a forest temple in the countryside, learned a lot.
can you tell me more about it? Must be something special for a farang. And how is the registration going?
I always understood that the boy's time as a monk should bring happiness to the family. The more boys do this and the longer their period, the better luck for the family.
You mentioned that coins were tossed. I thought candy was being thrown. Or maybe both. It's been a while since I was at such a ceremony. Anyway, the kids were busy.
I worked as a tour guide in Thailand for several years.
One of my older Thai guides described the practice of Thai boys being ordained as monks for a (usually short) period as follows: 'We regard this as paying back for the mother's milk. By doing so they make merit for the parents' next life.
Well look, this ritual ties in perfectly with a topic earlier in the week (Reformation of monasticism).
Why do I say that? The initiation into a monk does not change the person in question. It is a ritual only for appearances in the village. Does this bring good luck to the family? For the gullible probably, but in practice nothing changes. It only costs money.
I remember the same initiation of my brother-in-law a few years ago. A lot of show, a lot of people on their feet and a month less trouble from him because once locked up among the other monks he could no longer do any mischief. But mother-in-law was as proud as a peacock, HER only son as a monk, just as if he had been declared a saint!
During his stay in the temple I had the honor to visit him once with the family. A cartload of gifts and again a lot of rituals. I still remember my wife telling me that we were not allowed to touch him at any time. Man man man …
Once he was released, all the misery started again. Drinking every day and bothering everyone. And to this day, nothing has changed. The 'purge' apparently didn't work...