Buddhist Monks

Traditionally, a young man approaching adulthood enrolls in the community of monks, the sangha, for anywhere from one to three months – although in many cases he will remain a monk for several years as he pursues his education. Many will even return to the wats (wat = Buddhist temple and grounds) once in a while throughout adulthood.

They rise at 4 o’clock daily to being their strictly regimented day. After the morning bath, the monks leave at sunrise in groups to collect food and offerings from around the community. They wear orange robes called phikkhu. They shave their heads and eyebrows. You see them walk around town and many people donate food to them. By 7:30, the monks return to the temple for breakfast. This will be their only meal of the day. No one eats between midday and breakfast the following morning.

Monks are venerated in Thai society. They set the standard of behavior in the community. It’s believed that by serving, housing or feeding a monk, a person gains merit that will elevate his social standing in future incarnations.

Fun fact – I was walking around Patong with Chris when we came across a monk sitting in some sort of tuk tuk. We smiled at him. He did the wai, then he blessed me with holy water!! (aka he threw a cold liquid at me and I assumed I was blessed and it was holy water he threw at me!). It was a first!