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TEMPLE CONSECRATION

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An inauguration ceremony called "FANG LUUK NIMIT" (ฝังลูกนิมิต) is done to consecrate a Buddhist temple. Some sacred marker spheres "LUUK NIMIT" (ลูกนิมิต) need to be buried in the temple compound.

Buddha statues
Buddha statues
The "SIMA" around the temple compound are called big boundary stones ("SIMA JAI" - สีมาใหญ่). The "SIMA" around the "UBOSOT" are called small boundary stones ("SIMA LEK" - สีมาเล็ก).

The main Buddhist religious ceremonies (daily prayers, ordination of new monks) are held in the main shrine hall called "UBOSOT" (อุโบสถ). The consecration of an "UBOSOT" involves burying nine boundary stones. Then there is a custom of placing boundary stones ("SIMA" - สีมา) over the spheres.

Lion guarding the main chapel
Lion guarding the main chapel
Before the inauguration ceremony, a feast happens in the Buddhist temple and can last one week or nine days.

When a Buddhist ceremony happens in a Thai temple, all the monks must be in the area limited by the boundary stones. That's why for big temples with many monks, the boundary stones are around the "UBOSOT" (visitor monks don't have to participate to ceremonies) and for smaller temples the bounding stones are around the temple compound.

Main chapel
Main chapel
Temples in the Central Plains are richer. When the main chapel ("UBOSOT" - อุโบสถ) is old, it is easier and faster to build a new one instead of restoring the old one.
Gate to Buddhist temple
Gate to Buddhist temple
In Thailand's Central Plains region, the temple festivals often happen around end of January or beginning of February and match with Chinese New year.

People working in Bangkok come back to spend this holiday in their family. Of course, Saturday and Sunday are the days when the Buddhist temple can expect the highest donations.

Chinese shrine inside Wat Don Kanak
Chinese shrine inside Wat Don Kanak
For Isan temples, such fairs are often during New Year period as workers come back for holidays in their family during this period.
Chinese shrine
Chinese shrine
Some Buddhist Thai temples can include various buildings and shrines such as Chinese shrine, Mae Takhian shrine (ศาลเจ้าแม่ตะเคียน) and various deities statues (Phra Rahu - พระราหู, Vishnu - วิษณุ).
Temple doors
Temple doors
A "LUUK NIMIT" (ลูกนิมิต) or sacred marker sphere is buried at the inauguration ceremony.

Nine stone spheres demarcate the sacred space around the "UBOSOT", i.e. one at the centre, four at the corners and four at the cardinal points.

Temple deity
Temple deity
Thai people are never out of money regarding donations to Buddhist temples. As reminder from Buddhist abbot, there is no need to have too many things (several houses etc...) as you cannot bring them when you pass away!

A lot of advertisement is done the previous weeks and months. Big advertisements can be seen promoting the temple fairs.

Billboard
Billboard
Huge billboards are displayed in the area to advertise the forthcoming temple consecration. It includes the place, date and the program timetable.
Monks blessing
Monks blessing
During the whole day and night, monks give blessing to the numerous visitors.
Prayers
Prayers
Prayers are said by reading the scripts written on the wall panels. Hands palms are joined and people sit down.
Lying in a coffin
Lying in a coffin
นอนโลงให้โชค or "NON LONG HAI CHOK" means sleeping in a coffin to get chance. This ritual has become increasingly popular in the last few years. It involves participants lying in coffins while monks perform death rites on them as if they already passed away.

Participants believe they are reborn after the ritual (ตายแล้วเกิดใหม่) with all their bad deeds buried behind them. This ritual is also supposed to extend the life span.

Ancient Coffee
Ancient Coffee
During popular festivals, many temporary mobile shops open to cater for business and provide food / drinks.
Elephant blessing
Elephant blessing
Walking under an elephant belly is supposed to bring luck.
Money donation
Money donation
Money donation and bank notes are attached on a string. Then they are dispatched to the top of the "UBOSOT".
Boundary stones blessing
Boundary stones blessing
People entering the "UBOSOT" compound receive orchid flowers, joss sticks, nine gold sheets (one to be stuck inside the building, 8 outside), lotus flower with a 20 Baht note, sacred white thread and a paper with holy sentences to be read inside the "UBOSOT". Visitors start by the boundary stone inside the building then turn right and do the other eight boundary stones one by one.

Shoes have to be removed before entering the "UBOSOT" (อุโบสถ), finest building inside the temple compound.

Boundary stones blessing
Boundary stones blessing
People turn around the main chapel building and stick gold sheets on each boundary stone. They also place one Baht coin on the top of each stone..

Thai people cover the sacred marker spheres with thin gold leaves. This behavior is called "PIT THONG" (ปิดทอง).

Boundary stones blessing
Boundary stones blessing
Coaches from neighbouring provinces are bringing many visitors. They are coming to pay their respect to Buddha and are helping for the "UBOSOT" construction and embellishment. The money is used to repay the debts of the temple. The money has been borrowed to build the new "UBOSOT".

Temples and monks activate their network contacts in order to have visitors from other provinces coming to pay respect to the Buddha and participating to the festival (ฝังลูกนิมิต) and so making donations.

Temple architecture
Temple architecture
It is common for temples in Thailand to surround the main chapel ("UBOSOT" - อุโบสถ) with small boundary stones ("SIMA LEK" - สีมาเล็ก), marking the territory where monks may hold religious rituals.

Wat Ratchapradit in Bangkok placed small boundary stones on the temple walls, allowing the monks to hold religious rituals at any place in the temple compound.

Inside the main chapel
Inside the main chapel
People flock in the main chapel to stick gold leaves on Buddha statues or sacred marker spheres ("LUUK NIMIT" - ลูกนิมิต).
Music concert setup
Music concert setup
During the afternoon, the music concert setup is starting. It will take a few hours to build the stage. The performers are sleeping in the transportation bus.
Children game
Children game
Few children are playing during afternoon time due to hot weather. At evening time, they will flock.
Shop selling pictures
Shop selling pictures
In every temple fair, there is always a shop selling pictures of the Royal Thai family.


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