Buddhist Ceremonies in the Life of an Ordained Monk.

A monks life is taken up by Buddhist Ceremonies and conducting weddings, funerals as well as house warmings. They are also asked to bless new cars & motorbikes to mention a few.

Thai Buddhist monks also guide people through mental issues and sickness. The providing solace and guidance to everyone. This is a very appreciated by one who need guidance. If someone is not feeling well often monks are consulted with the belief spirits may be interfering with the sick person. The monks can conduct Buddhist Ceremonies to satisfy the spirit or give advice in offerings to the spirits. Yes as a westerner its always seemed quite strange to me but it’s Thai culture.

Cultural Notes for Foriegners.

There are cultural restrictions with monks you may not be aware of. Monks only eat food between 6 am and 12 midday in accordance with Buddhist teachings. Buddhist monks do not marry or have relationships with women. Women may not touch a monk even if it’s a son or brother.

When women make offerings to monks they place the offering on an orange cloth laid down by the monk. They can place offerings directly into the alms bowl the monk carries. The same process happens if monks purchase something at a shop. They will place the money on the counter and not directly offer the notes to the female shop assistant.

Personal Buddhist Ceremonies.

Devout Buddhist followers will often have their homes and themselves blessed by monks. These personal Buddhist ceremonies provide great comfort to many who have had personal issues. It is seen as a way to clear the air when things have not been going well. A new start you may say.

Generally a private ceremony, the only visitors are the home owners, family plus the monks. The monks also have a representative from the temple often referred to as “Ajan”. Ajan is a term endowed upon people with an expertise in any subject. In this case the assistant to the monks has been a monk and studied with extensive knowledge of the religion. He is part of the team with the monks as they go through Buddhist mantras or prayers. The assistant reads parts of the mantra then the monks will respond with their reply.

The Budhist Mantra’s.

The mantras delivered in Buddhist ceremonies are quite trance inducing. The monotone monolog of the monks is so relaxing to listen to with its ongoing drone. The drone of a number of monks assisting each other never take a break. The monks organise themselves so whenever one stops to take a breath the others continue. The mantra is unbroken and can last for a considerable time.

Ordaining Monks – Buddhist Ceremonies.

Ordaining new monks is one of the regular Buddhist ceremonies conducted. This occurs when young boys and men require to become novice monks known as “Nen”.

The Little Boars are Ordained after Surviving a Month trapped in an underground Chiang Rai Cave.

These novice monks may stay in the temple from three days to many weeks and beyond. Novice monks as well as ordained monks can leave the temple anytime. It’s not restrictive in any way. Depending on age there are some consequences you can read about here.

Weddings & Funeral Buddhist Ceremonies.

The most common Buddhist ceremonies for sure are funerals unfortunately. Funerals are a long drawn out and very tiring for the family of the deceased. Monks attend funerals every day as they can continue for three or four days. In cases where family are traveling from overseas they can get extended even further.

The deceased family must provide food and drinks to visitors for the entire period. Times have changed, previously they would also provide alcohol for the entire period. It seems this was changed as funerals I have been to in recent years only supply alcohol after the cremation.

Thai funeral ceremonies vary in location depending on where it’s being held. The north of Thailand funerals are held at home. The body is returned to the home from the hospital and placed in a refrigerated casket in the home.

In Bangkok the deceased goes to the Temple as also in the south of Thailand. There is a room set aside for this purpose

There will be tents, chairs and kitchen equipment available in the village or town. These are communal and providing you return everything clean to the store there is no cost I know of.

Monks arrive early every morning to say prayers (Suewat) for the deceased. They then return to offer prayers in the evening. On the final evening before the cremation the body is removed from the refrigerated casket and placed in the coffin.

The coffin is them removed from the house and placed on a transport stand that is decorated lavishly including pictures of the deceased. It can vary depending on region how the Herse is arranged. In the funeral above the decoration is very common in the north of Thailand.

Family Monks get Ordained.

The family often will have the temple monks ordain the sons of the deceased. This is why you may see very little children dressed in orange robes with there head shaved at funeral ceremonies. This ensures the deceased will be guided to heaven by angels.

The young boy will remain a monk often just for a few days. They are looked after by the family and stay home. I do not know if they stay at the temple in this situation if very young. Older boys likely do stay at the temple for the few days of the funeral.

Funeral Day – Buddhist Ceremonies.

On the day of the funeral the monks perform prayers once again around midday. The monks and family will then have lunch together. Monks always have food separate from others. If your donating food it must be separated and packaged before anyone else eats the food.

It’s worth noting that Thai funerals may organise monks from a number of temples. There is a desire to have nine monks at the funeral when possible. The number nine is regarded as an auspicious or lucky number and revered wherever it can be found.

Funeral Prosession.

The funeral possession starts with fire works being set off at the home. Ropes lead from the front of the hearse which signifies being pulled to the funeral pyre. The family and friends lead the precession after the monks The monks are first inline followed by family then friends.

The procession winds its way to the cremation complex every village has available. All through the trip there are fireworks being let off intermittently. on arrival the family arrange the casket and visitors sit along with the monks who are separate. There are family pictures taken in front of the casket with different parts of the family being invited to have their photo taken.

Photo’s competed there are prayers offered by the monk at the casket. Placed near the casket is a table with packets of new robes to be offered to the monks. The monks offer their prayers before the casket is lifted into the crematorium. Tables are then arranged and everyone walks past the deceased casket offering a final goodbye and placing supplied flowers with the casket.

The Final Act.

The crematorium door is closed as everyone sits in the stands in silence. The funeral pyre/ crematorium is started and with this large fireworks are set off and everyone returns to the home for the wake. The wake may continue to late in the evening.

Three Days Later.

Three days after the cremation the monks are accompanied by family to the crematorium where the last remains of the deceased are placed in a large sealed clay pot. This is placed at the cemetery area often without any details that I’ve seen.

Author:

Brendon McAliece is an Australian Expat who currently lives in Thailand. He has visited Thailand many times over 40 years. He previously lived in Thailand for five years. He speaks Thai fluently and enjoys village life with his Thai/Australian wife and family.

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