Being a Monk

I was fortunate enough to be invited to witness an ordination, thinking of just one person and being surprised to learn that there will be 76 people. The different men who volunteered to be ordained for monk hood ranges from five to 67. Some will stay as a monk for years while some are there for three days minimum up to three months. Being a monk is part of growing up, for the male members of the family, to engage in a short period of service to Buddhism.

Day One. In the afternoon, we went to visit the temple to drop things off. We accompanied our friend who will stay starting that night at the temple. The rain didn't stop the numerous motorbikes and cars that came to send their relatives. It was a very important night for family and friends.

The essentials needed for the ceremony

Day Two. The novices were sent out to the garden for the hair shaving ceremony. Relatives of each novice queued behind to snip some hair from the novice while the novices hold on to a banana cup leaf to gather the hair. Later, the monks washed each of their heads and shaved them including the eyebrows.

Relatives lined up to cut a piece of the novice's hair

Monk washing the hair of a novice

Only a monk can shave the head of the novice

Day Three. After some prayers and meditation, the novices were now given the chance to be a part of the water ceremony, as it was Songkran (Water Festival). They were seated under the shade holding a lotus flower while a line of people ceremoniously pour water on their hands and/or shoulders for blessings. It took two hours for the entire congregation to finish the ceremony. Afterwards, the novices left and dressed themselves in white. 

More prayers and talk from the monks in the evening. It was a night for the family members to gather together. The talk were mostly about relationships between these men and their moms as women cannot make merits so their sons are the one who enter monk hood to make merit for their family. 

The washing of the novices

Dressed in white: presentation to their family

Day Four. From white to orange. The novices were then dressed in orange as it is the colour of monk hood in Thailand. Later, the Great Abbot blessed them after a long day of prayers and meditation.  Then, these men who vowed to be followers of Buddhism for days or for years start a new life. A new beginning, as part of manhood, of growing up and of being obedient sons of their families. 

Wearing of the robe

First breakfast