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**Uojeyak** · 04-09-2011, 08:07 PM

[I]

Whatever its origin, Songkran is a happy time for people in Thailand. Along with the throwing of water, the playing of games, and cooking of seasonal foods, most Thai families invite Buddhist monks into their homes offering them the best of the dishes and sweets. Some Thai families keep small pieces of bones belonging to their parents or grandparents, which have been intentionally left unconsumed by the fire at the cremation. These they wash with scented water after the monks have recited some Buddhist scripture in the Pali language. Members of the families listen with not so much attention since they do not understand Pali. The kind act of offering food seems to make everyone happy, and that is the most important thing to the Thai people. Some Songkran celebrations are carried on for the better part of the week. Then people settle down to await the monsoon. They mend their farm implements and their houses to be ready for coming rains.

Thanks for that Norb. There is a bit though in the last passage which isn't true (not nowadays anyways for sure!) Most families do not invite monks into their homes! In fact, monks aren't supposed to leave their temples during Songkran! So, families make merit by giving alms to the monks at the temple instead of the monks going on an alms round. Monks should never enter someone's house unless it is for a wedding, blessing house ceremony etc...

The families don't understand Pali....... neither do most of the monks!

Has anyone here heard of this keeping pieces of bones from deceased parents and grandparents and have them scented by monks for Songkran? I never heard or read about this before. Reads more of a Chinese thing.

Playing games at Songkran? besides chucking water, the only game i can think of Thais playing (especially the women) is Pok Daeng (card game played for money!) I've known of a few families who arrange a Bingo game for the kids, but certainly not a Thai tradition!

Cooking seasonal food? Is there such a thing? Means fruit, right?

Await the monsoon? Yeah.... but only the rural farmers.

04-09-2011, 08:07 PM	#3
Uojeyak Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 424 Senior Member	[I] Whatever its origin, Songkran is a happy time for people in Thailand. Along with the throwing of water, the playing of games, and cooking of seasonal foods, most Thai families invite Buddhist monks into their homes offering them the best of the dishes and sweets. Some Thai families keep small pieces of bones belonging to their parents or grandparents, which have been intentionally left unconsumed by the fire at the cremation. These they wash with scented water after the monks have recited some Buddhist scripture in the Pali language. Members of the families listen with not so much attention since they do not understand Pali. The kind act of offering food seems to make everyone happy, and that is the most important thing to the Thai people. Some Songkran celebrations are carried on for the better part of the week. Then people settle down to await the monsoon. They mend their farm implements and their houses to be ready for coming rains. Thanks for that Norb. There is a bit though in the last passage which isn't true (not nowadays anyways for sure!) Most families do not invite monks into their homes! In fact, monks aren't supposed to leave their temples during Songkran! So, families make merit by giving alms to the monks at the temple instead of the monks going on an alms round. Monks should never enter someone's house unless it is for a wedding, blessing house ceremony etc... The families don't understand Pali....... neither do most of the monks! Has anyone here heard of this keeping pieces of bones from deceased parents and grandparents and have them scented by monks for Songkran? I never heard or read about this before. Reads more of a Chinese thing. Playing games at Songkran? besides chucking water, the only game i can think of Thais playing (especially the women) is Pok Daeng (card game played for money!) I've known of a few families who arrange a Bingo game for the kids, but certainly not a Thai tradition! Cooking seasonal food? Is there such a thing? Means fruit, right? Await the monsoon? Yeah.... but only the rural farmers.
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