Ordination: The Sacred Journey of 'Going Forth' in Thailand
The Thai Ordination Ceremony, or Ngarn Buat (งานบวช), is one of the most profound and significant rites of passage in a young man's life in Thailand. It is a deeply revered Buddhist tradition, marking the temporary or permanent transition from lay life to the spiritual discipline of a monk (Phra) or novice (Nen). This tradition is not merely a personal spiritual step; it is a major religious and social event for the family and the entire community.
The Purpose of Ordination
The decision to ordain, even if only for a short period (often days or a few weeks), is driven by a deep sense of merit-making (Boon). In Thai belief, a man who ordains generates immense good karma, particularly for his parents. It is widely believed that this merit is powerful enough to help lift his parents, especially his mother, to a higher heavenly realm.
The Three Stages of the Ceremony
The Ngarn Buat is a vibrant, multi-day affair characterized by distinct stages:
- Preparation (Warming Up): Days before the ceremony, the candidate (the Nak, meaning "seeker") shaves his head and eyebrows, symbolizing his readiness to detach from worldly vanity. The family organizes feasts and parties, often featuring traditional music and dance, to celebrate the Nak's final days as a layman.
- The Parade (Hae Nak): This is the most visually spectacular part of the ceremony. The Nak, dressed in elaborate, often white and gold, garments and sometimes riding a beautifully adorned white horse or carried on shoulders, is paraded around the local temple three times. This joyful procession is meant to symbolize the life the Nak is leaving behind, with the journey ending at the entrance of the main temple hall (Ubosot). Family and friends shower the Nak with gifts of money (often tossed from above) and flowers, generating shared merit.
- The Ordination Ritual: Inside the Ubosot, the formal religious rites take place, presided over by senior monks (Pra Upatcha). The Nak publicly requests to be accepted into the Buddhist Sangha (monastic community). He receives and dons the saffron robes, exchanges his secular name for a religious one, and vows to follow the 227 rules of the Patimokkha (for a monk). Upon completion, he emerges as a newly ordained monk, marking the moment he has truly "gone forth" (Pabbajja).
The Ngarn Buat is a powerful reflection of Thailand's enduring devotion to Buddhism, showcasing deep family bonds, community spirit, and the central role of merit-making in Thai cultural life.