Oct
27
Auk Pansa at the Wat
October 27, 2007 |
Yesterday evening we wen’t to the Wat. It was Auk Pansa day, a Buddhist Holiday that marks the end of the Buddhist lent and the rainy season. It is when the monks come out of the temples after their 3 month retreat.
Most of the village was there, and it was quite a festive mood, fireworks included. While we waited for proceedings to start inside the temple grounds, there was music on full blast and some people where dancing. Then the drums called people inside.
Everyone, including us where carrying flowers, incense and two candles. Then it was to sit down in a kneeling Wai position and for me to simply do what everyone else was doing, while the monk was chanting. The village only have one monk, and as far as I can understand he his from a town quite far away, so the end of lent means he can finally leave and go visit his family.
After the first part, we all wen’t outside. I was going for my easily spotted bright yellow slippers, but Nan stopped me. The next phase was to be done barefoot.
Everyone now lit their candles and incense, and we proceeded to walk 3 times around the two temple buildings. One containing the ceremony hall, the other a huge golden Buddha figure. After each round we stopped in front of the entrance to the ceremony hall and the Monk led the villagers in a short prayer-like chant.
I was a bit preoccupied while shuffling gingerly next to Nan while I tried not to drip the melting candle on my feet, set fire to the flowers or the hair of the girl in front of me. All the while thinking about the scorpions and centipedes that where no doubt lurking in the grass just waiting for a farang foot to bear down on them.
But I came trough the 3 rounds with no incidents, and then it was to leave one candle on a huge table in front of the ceremony hall, then on to the big Buddha, where we entered on our knees. 3 deep wais for Buddha and put down the final candle, the incense and the flowers.
The final part was to return inside the ceremonial hall, where Nan’s uncle as headman of the village, led the village in a final prayer-chant. With him kneeling in front of everyone. Then we all gave a final 3 wais and it was over.
The scene outside was slightly comical as everyone tried to find their flip-flops in the dark. But again my bright almost fluorescent flip-flops came to the rescue. But there was a lot of laughter, ribbing and joking outside. We stayed for a while so Nan could catch up on the latest gossip and show off her farang, then walked home under the full moon hand in hand.
At home we simply crept into bed and fell asleep.
So That’s it!
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Comments
4 Comments so far
Hey Rune. Sounded like a great day. I hope you got some pictures as well but I know now it is a pain trying to download them on the phone connection.
I look forward to seeing the finished kitchen.
Brunty
Sadly I left the camera at home. And I don’t think I would be able to bring myself to take pictures during a holy ceremony, especially after dark with flash and everything. Even with fireworks going off during the whole ceremony.
The kitchen is at a stand still, as the dude who is going to make the kitchen benches and cupboards is busy doing another kitchen in the village. But He should be ready for us in a few days. If not, Nan will probably have him flogged at the town square.
At least you can check the quality of the chippies work and maybe refine the plans for your kitchen. Not sure if I have my timing right, butI think the next big ceremony round the Wat will be the night lights where they put fire into the middle of the big paper tube and the convection heat makes it rise up into the night sky. The tubes get bigger and bigger and are stunning to watch as they all follow the same trajectory in the night sky! Watch out for the kids throwing bangers! Being the only falang they want to scare you the most, I have the scars on my legs to prove it!
“If not, Nan will probably have him flogged at the town square.”
well, at least I hope you get some pics of that….