Be yond fun is faith
A colourful ordination ceremony called Poi Sang Long in Pai district, Mae Hong Son, has much more than the lively and fun atmosphere to explore: the evidence of a strong Buddhist faith
- Published: 8 May 2012 at 00.00
- Newspaper section: Life
Under beautifully decorated gold lacquered parasols called tee kham were more than 30 boys donned in ancient-style Myanmar apparel and a crown being carried on the shoulders of their male relatives. They were part of a procession of hundreds of people wearing traditional Shan clothes, playing music, dancing or carrying thaiyathan (necessary things for monks). The atmosphere was lively and cheerful as the boys were about to enter monkhood in a Poi Sang Long ceremony at a temple in Mae Hong Son's Pai district.
The Poi Sang Long ceremony begins in the afternoon with sang long lining up, sitting before monks, prostrating three times, receiving saffron robes from their parents or godparents and requesting the monks to ordain them. After changing into the robes, sang long have become novices, say the words of 10 precepts, and listen to the monks’ advice. A monk will then deliver a sermon.
This ordination ceremony is similar to the "Buad Look Kaew" ceremony by other Northern Lanna people and one that has been passed down for centuries.
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