Explain the distinctive features of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand. (15)
... The basic ordination in generally the same but can last for two days. Usually seven days are spent in the monastery in preparation for the ceremony. On the first day of the ordination the candidate is shaved at home and then dressed in robes resembling those of the Prince Siddhartha. Then the monks come to his home to perform a Pirit-type ceremony of chanting, holding cotton thread and sprinkling water, in order to strengthen the candidate. After the monks leave there is a lay ceremony, which is intended to strengthen the boys vitality, this involves offerings arranged on a structure that resembles a tree, reminders of everything the boy’s parents have done for him, waving candles, anointing the boy and tying his wrists together (which symbolises the firm attachment of the boy’s ‘spirit’ to him, this however defiantly doesn’t originate from traditional Buddhism.) People feast, sing and dance throughout the night, although the candidate is not involved. The ordination proper occurs in the traditional way, this means the candidate must kneel in front of the presiding monk wearing the white of the layman and carrying his yellow robe. He then asks permission to wear his yellow robe and become ordained. The monk will then tie a sash around the candidates’ neck while reciting special words. The candidate will then put on the robe, also reciting special words, beg forgiveness for his faults and then asks to be administered the three refugees and ten precepts of a monk; the ceremony ends with a blessing and the pouring of water to share merit with ancestors. Ordinations usually take place in June, one month before the rains retreat is due to start. Many boys will only stay until the end of the rains retreat, a period of four months, in which they will learn the basics of Buddhism, a few Pali chants and some self-discipline. There is also a special ceremony of disrobing and leaving the order, where the boy takes the five precepts of a layman again. As a result of this institution of temporary monkhood the number of monks in Thailand varies. Some monks will remain for longer than four month, perhaps a year or two. Others are monks for life. The decision to become a monk for life however is defiantly a life altering one as Klostermaier states “The whole life of a ...