|
In Thailand it is customary to have Buddhist Monks
perform a dedication ceremony and party for a new house. Not knowing
anything about this tradition, I simply turned over responsibility
(and money) for my party to my driver and his mother, who happens to be the
village chief. As village chief, she has arranged for and hosted many
such parties. The date of the party was chosen as with all important
event by a Buddhist Monk. In this case he chose 22 November which
happened to be Thanksgiving in the U.S. |
| |
|
|
|
Click on Any Picture
to See the Full Sized Photo |
 |
The invitations were printed and distributed to the people of the
village. The house was spruced up. On the morning of the event,
many people arrived to set up tents and then tables and chairs. |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
Flower arrangements were placed around the house. My furniture was
removed from the living room in order to prepare ample space for the
ceremony. |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Prior to the ceremony, string was strung completely around the house and
property. The picture on the left shows my gardener placing the string
on the top of the fence. The picture on the right shows the string
going from the fence to the house where it completely surrounds the house. |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
The string then enters the house and is placed upon the alter for use
during the ceremony. |
 |
| |
|
|
|
 |
Five Monks from three different temples arrived to performed the
ceremony. The Monks then chanted and did their thing with the string
that was then wrapped around all of the people in any way associated with
the house. |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
The ceremony took about one hour, after which the monks were
given gift baskets, money and lunch. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
After the Monks ate, the guest had their lunch under the tents provided on the front
lawn. Several other groups ate at tables provided along the side of
the house. One group dined in the servant's kitchen. |
 |
| |
|
|
Early arrivals staked their claim to the tables provided on the sala
over Lake Nelly. |
 |
| |
|
|
 |
After lunch, many guest raided the ice cream stand. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
In the evening, we launched hot air lanterns over Chiang Mai. |
 |
|
All in all, it was an interesting and enjoyable experience
but I am very happy that it is over.
|
