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A Buddhist ordination takes place traditionally during two days.
The first day happens into the family circle and is related to the ordination preparation
("PHITI BUAT NAK" - พิธีบวชนาค).
The last day related to the ordination takes place in the pagoda.
Day Two afternoon
On the second day afternoon, the ordination rite takes place
in the Buddhist pagoda.
Ordination ceremony
The ordination ceremony as a monk is called "PHITI UPASOMBOT"
(พิธีอุปสมบท).
The layman enters the "BOT"
(โบสถ์ - the finest building where monks
are assembled for rites) and answers to questions asked by
the abbot of the temple.
Ordination ceremony
In a temple, some men are monks since decades but there are also some men who are monk only during
a short time.
Wearing monk clothes
The candidates answer to questions asked by the priest ("UPACHANA" -
อุปัชฌาย์) who officiates at the ordination ceremony.
Ordination ceremony
Some questions are "Do you have debts ?",
"Do you have mother and father permission to become a monk ?",
"Are you a male human being ?". The last question came from Buddhist legends
when a "PHAJANAK" (พยานาค)
or snake disguises itself into a human being in order
to become a monk.
BBuddha discovered the trickery. The
"PHAJANAK" was not allowed to become a monk but since this time all
candidates to monkshood are called "NAK" (นาค).
Ordination
The question "Are you a male human being ?" is also
linked to the fact that women cannot become monks in Thailand.
Foreigner can also become monk but it is then important
to speak well Thai and to learn some Pali words. Anyway in some forest temples in Isan area,
there are also ordinations in English.
Ordination ceremony
The new monk has learnt how to wear the monk clothes and is back in the main chapel
to listen to the abbot's last recommendations.
Sometimes the candidate is so nervous that
he forgets the answers he must say to the abbot. Then this one whispers
the answers in order to help him.
Ordination ceremony
The new monk receives a new monk name in Pali language. He is now part of the
monkhood.
Ordination is an important part of life
in thai society. A boy that becomes a monk for a few months is making a
really good action towards his parents.
White robe offering
Often the mother offers the white robe to her son. It is a great moment
for a Thai mum to see her child becoming a monk. Moment of joy and proud.
Ordination happens when the boy is 20 years old. Parents having
three boys often believe that they won't go to hell if their three boys become monks.
Ordination ceremonyOrdination ceremony
Wear monk clothes
The new monk learns how to wear the monk clothes. Learning
to wear the monk robe is not easy at all, there is a special way to get
dressed. It shall be a perfect fit because monks do not wear underclothes.
Ordination
The young man is now a monk. He could be a monk for one day, one week,
one month, three months during the rain retreat, a year or his whole life. Who knows?
Answering abbot questions
The three new monks have learnt how to wear the monk clothes and
are back in the main chapel to listen to the abbot last recommendations.
Three fresh new monks
The three candidates are now monks. They can be monks for a few days,
a few months, a few years or all the life. Who knows? It is a personal decision.
