Monks

A monk came into my classroom this week and, when I went towards him and bowed, looked a bit puzzled and walked away.  When I asked Mr J the tuk tuk driver who often comes into class with me what he wanted, he responded "no one knows because he comes from Thailand and nobody can understand what he's saying".

Monks visiting Bayon at Angkor Thom

Monks are an everyday part of life - I've seen six squashed into a tuk tuk, they are often on the backs of motorcycle taxis (I can't imagine our priests and vicars doing the same) and are to be seen conducting ceremonies everywhere.

This is a shrine to a Neak-ta which is a local powerful spirit connected to a specific place.  He is called Ya Tep and is under a large tree in the middle off the road near to the Royal Residence.  My guide book says that people often leave offerings of chicken skin next to the shrine to ask for good luck (and winning lottery tickets).  It seems as if the faithful were asking for something quite large as they had left a pig's head.  I went past the following day and it had disappeared.

I saw three people on the steps of one of the Angkor Thom temples having water poured over them by a monk looking a bit disconcerted.  I made sure I walked away quickly in case I shouldn't have been there.  I went to the local shopping centre and saw about 15 gathered outside for what reason I couldn't imagine.

I have seen two funeral processions - today the children rushed to the door at the sound of music announcing the entrance into the Wat that is attached to the school, of the cremation courtage.  The one I saw on Sunday was very big indeed.  First came schoolchildren of about 12-16 years old walking two by two and holding fans to their faces, they were dressed, like the rest of the mourners, in black skirts or trousers with white tops with black ribbons rather like our breast cancer ones, on their lapels.  Next came women - carrying golden parcels (offerings for the journey).  Then came the monk very resplendent in a tuk tuk especially decorated in white coverings.  He was followed by men and women with thick white ropes in their hands pulling the bier.  This was about 10' tall and very ornate in white, black and gold, as was the double sized coffin.  To the sides crouched men and women.  Then followed more mourners holding lotus flowers or golden branches.  All these people came out of a hose that was decorated with white banners and bunting and laid out for an eventual feast.  I was told that, because of the number of children, it was probable that this person was a teacher.  I didn't take photographs as it didn't seem appropriate.