NEW HOUSE

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ทำบุญขึ้นบ้านใหม่ or "THAM BOON KEUN BAAN MAI" is a ceremony for house-warming.

In Thailand when a new house is built, a Buddhist ceremony called "KEUN BAAN MAI" happens. The aim of this ceremony is to bless the new house and its inhabitants. Monks are invited to the house. In fact the house's owner must pay to have monks to come to his house. But Thai people say that he makes a good action by giving money ("THAM BUN" - ทำบุญ) to the Buddhist temple.

Nine monks come. In case of busy period with many religious feasts, they might come from different temples. The first monk is taking care of lustral water. The second one is holding the microphone. The microphone is linked to loud speakers in order that all villagers can listen to the monks.

Lustral water is traditionally made from underground water contained in a bronze pot. Buddhist monks can use their alms bowls to hold the lustral water. Wax candles are often on the rim of the bowl in which lustral water is being prepared. As drops of wax fall into the bowl, disease, sorrow and evil are believed to be washed away. Gold leaves, Bermuda grass and even lotuses may be placed in the bowl to increase its magical powers. The most sacred lustral water is made with four elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Wind. Earth is represented by the drops of wax, water by that in the bowl, fire by the candle flame and wind by the extinguishments of the candle.

All monks are holding a white string ("SAI SIN" - สายสิญจน์). The prayers vibrations spread through the white string and are supposed to protect the house and give luck to its inhabitants.

A sacred white thread ("SAI SIN" - สายสิญจน์) passes from the Buddha image and through the hands of each of the chanting monks during the ceremony.

Monks say prayers in Pali language. Once monks prayers are over, the guests are making alms by putting food in the monks bowls. Everybody shall put a small portion (rice ball, fruit, flower) in each monk's bowl.

The house's owner and his family give food and gifts to the monks. The monks cannot eat such amount of food but they have to eat a little bit of each dish to thank the donator. After the monks departure, the guests share the remaining food.

After the prayers, monks bless the guests by sprinkling lustral water and then eat. Meal must be over before noon.

Once the meal is over, one monk blesses the house by sprinkling lustral water in all rooms. Finally above the front entrance, the monk writes Pali symbols with a special white paste.

In the middle of the afternoon, the Thread ceremony happens. The family and relatives gather in a room. In Thai language the Thread ceremony is called "PHITI BAI SRI SU KWAN" (พิธีบ่ายศรีสู่ขวัญ). A wise man says auspicious sentences.

The guests attach a white string around the house's owner and his family. Then the guests bless them. This ceremony also happens during wedding in Isan area.

In the evening there is a feast with guests invited by the house's owner. Food, drink, music are available.

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