Day 9 – Monk Ceremony

Thailand is an awesome place to behold.  There is so much culture dripping everywhere.  Chiang Mai is a town that has a “small town” feel to it, although it’s not small.  Today is a very special day.  We are fortunate and honored to be invited to witness Lee’s son, Win become a Monk today.  It is rare for a person from the US to witness this ceremony, since it is usually only family and very close friends that attend such a ceremony.  Lee and Nat’s family have given us the privilege of attending and taking pictures and video.  Becoming a Monk is a very deep personal journey for a young man.  They choose to become a Monk based on their own personal needs or struggles.  In Win’s case, it is his way of giving thanks for them overcoming a near tragedy in their family’s life.  The ceremony began with an elder Monk talking to Win and those present.  After the introduction, Win and the monks have a meal.  At the same time, family and friends gather outside the temple to celebrate with a meal to bring good luck.  After the meal, everyone gathers in front of the temple to walk around the outside three times, while clapping and chanting, again for good luck.  We then went back into the temple a different Monk elder performs another part of the ceremony of prayer and chanting.  Win was required to recite some specific, memorized, pledges to the elder Monk.  It was at this time Win shed his white robe and they took him to have him put on his golden yellow robe as an official Monk.  The family then presented gifts to the Monk’s and then to Win.  After the presentation of the gifts, Win left the temple with a Monk elder and returned with a gold basket.  The family jumps up and began slipping baht (Thai money) in the basket.  Once that is done we all walk out side where Win starts getting handfuls of little hand tied bows and throwing them to family and friends, for good luck.  The little bows contained baht coins.  The ceremony was complete.  We couldn’t understand what was being said, prayed or chanted, but it didn’t matter.  It was a moving ceremony and again, one we very proud and honored to be a part of.  It’s time for us to head to Chiang Rai, the rest of this day will continue on that page.  Hope you like the pictures!!

 

 

Monk Ceremony Food and Drinks, complete with Ice Cream Sandwiches and Popsicles