MONKHOOD

On our visit to Bangkok, Thailand on the first week of March this year we were lucky to have witnessed a young man entering the monkhood. In the photograph above, the candidate is throwing flower-shaped ribbons to the crowd. The flowerette actually contain 1 satang wrapped in it.

A candidate for monkhood is called a Nak. A young man is ordained a Nak before he can become a monk.
The Nak wears white robe which connotes purity. His ordination is usually a joyous occasion; in rural villages a colorful procession bringing the white-robed Nak to the temple for the ordination ceremony is often accompanied by joyous dancing and the beating of long drums.
Before he is ordained into monkhood, the aspiring monk is allowed to reside in the temple as a layman, to train in matters relating to devotional service and how to wear the saffron robe. The ordination usually takes place one month before the start of the Buddhist Lent. Parents take their son to see the officiating monks with offerings of flowers, candles and joss sticks. If the son is qualified, the time for the ordination will be arranged.
The tradition has been practiced since the Sukhothai Period as a part of the Thai way of life. Apart from expressing gratitude to parents and having a chance to study Buddhism, the ordination is also meant to purify one's mind. A man who has been a monk is traditionally considered a mature adult who is capable of leading a good life with thoughtfulness and wisdom.

This event took place right after we finished taking a group photos inside the temple.

Thats Karla, Myself, Miss Pin, Ma'am Loi and Che'an on squat position. It is prohibited to talk to, touch or so much as look directly to, the monks. Women can't give anything to them, if desired, it must be passed on to a man first before handing it to a monk.