Thai Buddhist Wedding Ceremony
Buddhism is as much a philosophy as it is a religion. The open minded and tolerant nature of the faith allows the clergy to perform wedding rituals at many different locations and can be practiced traditionally at the home of the groom, the temple or anywhere the couple chooses.
Sai Monkhon Ceremony
Depending on the wishes of the couple, 5, 7 or 9 orange robed monks will be invited to perform the ceremony. Incense, candles and an image of the Lord Buddha create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility, with all those attending sat facing the monks.
Led by the senior most clergy, prayers chanted in the ancient Pali language begin the ceremony and bestow blessings on the couple; who kneel close together in front of the monks with their hands in the traditional wai position - a sign of respect and supplication. During the wedding ceremony, the couple wear traditional Thai clothing and kneel in front of the senior elder, with the groom on the right.
The monks will always be facing towards the West.
The senior monk will drape sacred string around the heads of the couple to symbolize their commitment to one another, and he sprinkles them with holy water from a leafy branch. The couple ‘wai’ as the specially prepared white thread, ‘sai monkhon’, is looped and used to link together the bride’s and the groom’s heads. It is symbolic that the thread forms two circles which whilst linked, also remain independent. This indicates that the couple’s destinies are linked, but individual identity is retained. The circle is also symbolic because of its continuity and the fact that merit can be carried around in the circle.
The senior elder then pours sacred water over the hands of the couple. Bowls of flowers are placed underneath the hands to catch the water. Gifts and small donations are presented by the couple to the monks, after which there are more prayers. The ceremony usually lasts for 30 minutes, and conveys an almost hypnotic feeling on all present.
The guests then bless the couple by also pouring water over the hands of the couple in the ‘rod nam sang’ ceremony.
Rod Nam Sang: Water Blessing Ceremony
“Rod” stands for soak, “Nam”for water, and “Sang” for a conch shell.
After the monks depart, the bride and groom kneel side by side on a special pedestal to give their guests the opportunity to bestow their individual blessings. This they do, one by one, by gently pouring water over the hands of the couple. Usually the guests hold water in a conch shell vessel. The water passes through the hands of the bride and groom and into a flower filled vessel beneath.
A Buddhist wedding ceremony is as serene and evocative an occasion as one could wish for, and provides the feeling that one's union is welcomed. There are also many photos taken with each family and guest who has come to attend the wedding.
Sai Monkhon Ceremony
Depending on the wishes of the couple, 5, 7 or 9 orange robed monks will be invited to perform the ceremony. Incense, candles and an image of the Lord Buddha create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility, with all those attending sat facing the monks.
Led by the senior most clergy, prayers chanted in the ancient Pali language begin the ceremony and bestow blessings on the couple; who kneel close together in front of the monks with their hands in the traditional wai position - a sign of respect and supplication. During the wedding ceremony, the couple wear traditional Thai clothing and kneel in front of the senior elder, with the groom on the right.
The monks will always be facing towards the West.
The senior monk will drape sacred string around the heads of the couple to symbolize their commitment to one another, and he sprinkles them with holy water from a leafy branch. The couple ‘wai’ as the specially prepared white thread, ‘sai monkhon’, is looped and used to link together the bride’s and the groom’s heads. It is symbolic that the thread forms two circles which whilst linked, also remain independent. This indicates that the couple’s destinies are linked, but individual identity is retained. The circle is also symbolic because of its continuity and the fact that merit can be carried around in the circle.
The senior elder then pours sacred water over the hands of the couple. Bowls of flowers are placed underneath the hands to catch the water. Gifts and small donations are presented by the couple to the monks, after which there are more prayers. The ceremony usually lasts for 30 minutes, and conveys an almost hypnotic feeling on all present.
The guests then bless the couple by also pouring water over the hands of the couple in the ‘rod nam sang’ ceremony.
Rod Nam Sang: Water Blessing Ceremony
“Rod” stands for soak, “Nam”for water, and “Sang” for a conch shell.
After the monks depart, the bride and groom kneel side by side on a special pedestal to give their guests the opportunity to bestow their individual blessings. This they do, one by one, by gently pouring water over the hands of the couple. Usually the guests hold water in a conch shell vessel. The water passes through the hands of the bride and groom and into a flower filled vessel beneath.
A Buddhist wedding ceremony is as serene and evocative an occasion as one could wish for, and provides the feeling that one's union is welcomed. There are also many photos taken with each family and guest who has come to attend the wedding.