by workers in S Asia
7 o’clock at night and the streets around the temple are packed.
The usual night market stalls regularly occupied by locals selling their handicrafts are replaced by tents filled with women selling flowers, silver, and Buddha statues.
Men and women held silver bowls filled with water and flowers.
Walking into the complex, I am surrounded by local men and women wearing their nicest outfits and grasping silver bowls filled with water and flowers, this is the Song Nam Pra’ or the sending of water to Buddha.
Seeking an Oracle
Upon entering the temple, I immediately take notice of many tables on the inside perimeter. These tables are manned by novices (or young monks) and patronized by local men and women seeking an oracle for their upcoming year.
The coming year is foretold by the patron choosing a wooden dowel with a number on it, the number is shown to the novice who then consults a chart and relays the fortune that is represented by the designated number.
The fortunes usually pertain to health and wealth.
Also along the inside perimeter are stations set up to receive donations. These donations are usually sizable in dollar amount and are designated for the maintenance or beautification of the temple.
Buying Propsperity
Upon making a donation, the monk will then announce over a loudspeaker the family name and dollar amount of the donation followed by a blessing of health, wealth, and prosperity.
The left and right sides of the courtyard area are occupied by two sets of staircases, each going up about 12 feet in height. At the pinnacle on each side is located a bronze dragon that has the functionality of a trough that connects in the middle of the courtyard.
The devout ascend a staircase
The monk announces over a loudspeaker the family name and dollar amount of the donation followed by a blessing of health, wealth, and prosperity.
with their silver bowl in hand to empty the contents into the trough. This water runs down the length of the trough and is dispensed in the middle of the courtyard above the sacred Buddha idol, Pra Bang, in order to wash the idol.
After emptying the contents of the bowl, the person walks down the staircase to the area around the Pra Bang to light an orange candle and lift up their prayers to Buddha, Pra Chao.
Sacred Pilgrimage
The temple is full activity, and the din of blessings and chants over the loudspeaker is constant and piercing, people are brushing up against me on every side trying to get to the next station of blessing, and young women are taking selfies while they make merit.
It is a chaotic scene that holds much meaning to the people here. To some, it is the most sacred of pilgrimages this year.
As I leave the temple, I pass the fortune tables, the throngs of devout people, the silver and flowers, and just before reaching my motorbike to head home, there is a very familiar booth.
Set up carnival style, there is a stand inviting those just finished with making merit to come and try their hand at popping a balloon with darts.
