Wat Pasak Banthi is where Pasak School is also located. This, you may know, is where I work as part time, volunteer, English Teacher. Whilst at school this week, I noticed the construction of large marquees in the school sports field and was informed that there was to be a Tamboon ceremony, to raise money for new building work at the Temple.
Last night was the first night of the ceremony, which involved several Monks from many different Temples in and around Chiang Mai. We took the children from Stratton House up, knowing that many of their school friends would be there.
I thought that we may see the start of the ceremony, but discovered that it would not start properly until 9pm, and by then we had returned to Mae Salab so the kids could get their sleep.
Still they had a good 2 and a half hours playtime with the other children there and May and Yong made merit by putting money in the collection bowls.
This is a particular method of merit making and the smallest denomination coins are placed symbolically into each of the many bowls laid out on the tables.
To take part you pay 20 baht for a bowl of the small satang. There were other ways of giving, such as the slot machines that when fed played recordings of Monks giving blessings. There was also a catch net held by a group of straw village folk.
This morning was time for villagers to come to make merit by offering food to the Monks and listening to the blessings.
All the school children were involved.
Our lad, Jack, had taken 4 packs, prepared by Wasana, our house mother, and shared them with some friends who had less to give.
The Monks chanting was very relaxing and for a while I sat in quite deep meditation.
I am not sure how many days this ceremony will run for but was interested to see the temporary accomodation for the visiting Monks.
Very simple cubicles constructed with rough wooden poles and brown paper, straw laid out inside for sleeping on.
There was a big turn out and I felt lucky to witness this cultural event.
At the end of the mornings ceremony all the people stood in line, forming a pathway and waited for the Monks who walked through collecting the food offerings.
For more photos please visit our photobucket album here.
Another day when culture comes first.
On arriving at school today we saw preparations being finalised for the imminent procession.
A few minutes shaking out my stiff joints and I went and caught up with the kids as they walked down to the second Temple.
In desperate need of refreshment by the time we reached the second Temple, I chose to sit this one out at the little shop opposite and take a drink, whilst the children all went in to deliver the second candle and listen to more sermon.
Then I discovered that there was a much bigger parade to come. We all went into the main village where many others were also gathering; many dressed in their traditional clothes, and with many decorated trucks, carrying candles and Buddha figures.
The procession actually ended up in the field of our school where there were food stalls, a stage and marquees, where yet more Monks were in attendance to receive gifts and give merit.
