Kathin Ceremony 11-11-07

Wow was it great! The wat was crowded today! There were a total of 10 monks and countless numbers of people. There were 4 wats represented besides the Augusta wat. Food, food, food. Money trees were everywhere. And lots of new robes for the monks -- all of them. We asked and found out that you can only buy the robes in Thailand. Our wat is close to Ft. Gordon (an Army post). Many of the Thai ladies came to the US as wives of American service members. In the photos you can see one or two farang (foreigners) in amongst the crowd (that is me and John too).
We had dancing and singing. The video here is one of a lady who danced by herself to taped music. She was lovely both in appearance and grace. There was also a group of young girls who are learning Thai dance. Some are Thai and others are their friends. They seemed to be having a good time. There was an alter set up outside and some people showed their respects there while others went inside. John and I brought a set of knives in a butcher block holder as a gift to the monks. I have had occasion to help in the kitchen and knew that some of their knives were either broken or missing. We thought and thought of what would be a good item to help the kitchen run more smoothly over the next year and came up with the knives idea.
You can get some idea as to how much food was there in a photo I took of the spread in the main worship room. The monks ate at a large table off to one side and we sat on the floor to enjoy our lunch. After the monks had finished eating I presented our gift to one of them. Whenever you give something to a monk - a gift or food or whatever - he places a piece of material or a napkin or something like that down and you put the item on it. The abbot explained that this is a tradition and it shows that the monk did not steal the item - that it was a freely given gift. So one of the Augusta monks put a square of saffron color silk down on the platform and I put our box on it. Then with a "wai" I backed away. Meanwhile, outside there was a stage set up and people were singing - kind of like kareoke. There were also lots of people eating at the picnic tables. Others were selling beautiful plants, vegetables and the Thai secret weapon - the infamous red peppers.
When the time came for the visitors to leave they left in parade formation. Each group had their own set of money trees, people carrying new robes still in the wrapping and other gifts for their home wat. We saw people from Charleston, Atlanta, Hinesville and one more I didn't catch. But lots of clapping, chanting, and smiling. It was really cool!
My friend Doung gave me a gift of two Thai skirts. I think I may wear one when we get off the plane in Bangkok. She is a really pretty lady. She is in the photo holding a basket.