Thai Housewarming Ceremony
Contents
Owning a home is an important milestone for many, with a housewarming party or event often marking the magical moment when the key to your own home is finally in your own hands, and to mark a cheerful new chapter in the book of life. In Thailand we celebrate new homes through a spiritual house warming ceremony which embraces centuries-old cultural influences from local animism, Brahmanism-Hinduism, and Buddhism. Let us see what Thais do to make sure that their new home is not just a space, but a sanctuary filled with good vibes and positive energy.
Thai Housewarming Ceremony
The House in Thai Spirituality
Thai spirituality is a combination of Animism, Brahmanism-Hinduism, and Buddhism, a vibrant rainbow of beliefs and practices. At the forefront, Buddhism stands as the embodiment of wisdom and serenity. Yet, alongside the teachings of Buddhism, animism also has a strong presence throughout Thailand. This belief, which has been here long before Buddhism, regards objects, places, and creatures as beings either with their own spirits or souls, or with ancestral spirits that can influence human lives. And another realm of beliefs is Brahmanism-Hinduism along with its diverse pantheon of deities which Thais respect and worship, leading to fascinating rituals and traditions. When it comes to the place of living, all three spiritual influences have roles of play.
- Animism
If you notice exquisite tiny temple-like houses in front of any kinds of buildings in Thailand, keep in mind that those are spirit houses, not some sort of garden decorations. House spirits, known as “phi baan phi ruean,” (ผีบ้านผีเรือน) are believed to inhabit buildings and provide guardianship and protection to humans who use or inhabit those places. Within family residences, from door thresholds to staircases and stoves, these spirits are thought to watch over family members, ensuring harmonious and happy living. These spirits are believed to exist naturally as part of nature. However, in the case of a home that has been sheltering a family for many generations, some of these spirits are the spirits of the residents’ ancestors. There could be a room, shelf, or corner dedicated as a ceremonial space for family members to pay homage to the deceased, fostering a connection between past and present generations.
Spirit houses
- Brahmanism-Hinduism
The influence of Brahmanism-Hinduism in Thailand reveals itself in the form of deity worshipping. In the realm of household, the fusion between the animistic house ghosts, the Bhummadeva (ภุมมเทวา) or the guardian angels of places in Buddhism, and Brahmanism-Hinduism in Thailand results in the concept of deities known as Phra Bhumi (พระภูมิ), meaning the “deity of the place or land.” There are nine Phra Bhumi deities, the most popular of which is Phra Chai Mongkol (พระชัยมงคล) who guards over houses and buildings. Phra Bhumi is often enshrined in a spirit house that sits atop a single pilar and has a pointy spire at the top. This is in contrast with the spirit house of phi baan phi ruean, which has normal roofings and can sit atop more than one pillar. You may also find Brahma shrines at various buildings throughout Thailand. Depicted with four faces and multiple arms, Lord Brahma or Phra Phrom (พระหรหม) in Thai, one of the Trimurti in Hinduism, is revered as a benevolent deity associated with good fortune. Among the most renowned Brahma shrines is the one situated in front of the Erawan Hotel at Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok.
San Phra Bhumi (ศาลพระภูมิ)
- Buddhism
In Buddhism, there is a practice of making merit, which is an act of performing good deeds with sincerity. Buddhists view making merit as a means to cleanse the mind and foster spiritual growth. While the immediate benefits of making merit go to those who perform it, Buddhists also believe in the power of dedicating this merit to other beings, alive or dead.
Making Merit
Cr. deecatering
Through the act of merit making, Buddhists seek to honor their deceased family members and house spirits, believing that by dedicating merit to them, their ancestors from the spiritual realm above will bless the household and the inhabitants. This act is not merely an expression of filial piety but also a way to cultivate positive karma for the entire family lineage. Meanwhile, Phra Bhumi and house spirits are appeased through the dedicated merit they receive, thus continuing to bless and protect the household and the inhabitants. Hence, the tradition of making merit for home emerged from the fusion of these three beliefs.
What does a Thai housewarming ceremony look like?
A housewarming ceremony in Thailand is essentially a Buddhist tradition, entailing making merit upon the acquisition of a new residence, whether owned or rented, to establish a spiritual sanctity within the home. The ceremony is called “tham boon khuen baan mai” (ทำบุญขึ้นบ้านใหม่), meaning “merit making ceremony on the occasion of setting up a new home.” The inauguration of a new office or business establishment is also an occasion for such an auspicious ritual to bring entrepreneurs prosperity and success. It’s believed that the merit not only benefits the residents but can also be felt by house spirits, ancestral spirits, and Phra Bhumi, and in return these sacred entities will be content and continue to safeguard the buildings and inhabitants.
Typically organized around merit making and almsgiving, the housewarming ceremony involves hosting a luncheon or “thawai pane” (ถวายเพล) for Buddhist monks who bestow blessings upon the premises. Homeowners or hosts will adorn the building with holy ceremonial thread or “sai sin” (สายสิญจน์), encircling a Buddha statue and the seats of the invited monks.
Holy ceremonial thread or “sai sin” (สายสิญจน์)
Cr. kalyanamitra
The housewarming luncheon for monks takes place at the new home at around 11:00 a.m. and must finish by 12:00 p.m as Theravada Buddhist monks are not permitted to have meals past noon. The host will contact the temple to confirm the date and number of monks to invite prior to the event. When the monks arrive, they will settle down on their seats and begin chanting Buddhist prayers. After that, the host proceeds to offer the lunch to the Buddha statue and to the monks. After the meal, the host may present other offerings, such as flowers, incense sticks, candles, or “sanghadana” (สังฆทาน) which are a set of items for the monk’s personal use. The monks will chant prayers and sanctify the space with holy water. They may write “yantra” (ยันตร์) with powder and paste gold leaves on significant locations, including on or above the front door.
Writing “yantra” (ยันตร์) with powder and paste gold
Cr. samoonpraionline.blogspot.com/
The merit-making ceremony for the residence or place of business need not be a singular event but can be arranged annually or after the occurrence of any adverse incidents, to reaffirm and safeguard the sanctity of the place. This type of ceremony for the home is simply called “tham boon baan” (ทำบุญบ้าน) meaning “merit-making ceremony for the home.”
- Regional traditions
The description of the housewarming ceremony mentioned just above is commonly seen in Central Thailand, but this tradition varies from region to region, each with its own unique customs and regulations.
In the Northeast, homeowners observe a yearly housewarming ritual for three consecutive years. On the ceremonial day, family members and relatives gather to assist in preparing the venue and food for monks and guests. The host will provide only “kub khao” (กับข้าว) or side dishes for everyone while guests must bring their cooked sticky rice from home.
Kub khao (กับข้าว) or side dishes
Cr. deecatering.com
In the North, people attach great importance to auspicious timing, and homeowners will go above and beyond to find the best date and time where stars align to bring luck and prosperity to their abode. Besides inviting monks, hosts engage a ceremonial master to oversee and orchestrate the ceremony’s proceedings. The ceremonial banquet also includes sticky rice like in the Northeast, but the cuisine exclusively comprises authentic Northern dishes.
On the contrary, people in the South prioritize convenience over auspiciousness in scheduling the ceremony. Buddhist homeowners arrange rituals akin to those elsewhere in Thailand, accompanied by Southern delicacies. Southern Thailand is home to a large Muslim population. Homeowners who are Muslim also observe the housewarming ritual but with features that are in keeping with Islamic teachings. A Thai Muslim housewarming ceremony might consist of a dua (prayer) ceremony to ask Allah for blessings, followed by a feast.
What to do when attending or hosting a housewarming ceremony
If you have been in Thailand for some time or are married to a Thai citizen planning to move into your own place, attending or hosting a housewarming ceremony might be on your agenda. Likewise, for business owners or executives managing companies in Thailand, particularly those with many Thai employees, arranging such ceremonies might be essential. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate the process.
1. Organize the ceremony strictly during the day because Buddhists monks are not allowed to consume food after midday. If you live in a neighborhood that believes in auspicious times, consult an astrologer.
2.Contact the temple early to prepare for the event. Invite an odd number of monks, such as 5, 7, or 9 for the ceremony.
3. When entering the new home, carry auspicious food items that are considered lucky charms in Thailand, such as coconuts, pears, bananas, oranges, or Thai desserts like thong yip, thong yod, and foi thong, along with other auspicious items.
4. Consider preparing food with auspicious meaning, such as the nine auspicious desserts, to offer to monks and serve to guests.
5. When presenting food or offerings to monks, use your right hand or both hands. Make sure to not touch the offerings once they are already given. If you are a woman or a man presenting food/offerings to a woman, the monk will lay a piece of cloth in front of him for you to put the item on. This is done because monks observe strict vows of celibacy and are not allowed to touch the opposite sex.
6. If you are a guest, you may bring home gifts to the hosts such as paintings, fragrance diffuser sets for home, ornamental plants, tea sets, etc. Make sure the gifts do not convey negative meanings. In some cases, you may also make monetary gifts to the host. Some hosts may offer opportunity for guests to contribute monetary donations which will be collected and presented to the monks presiding over the ceremony.
7.Typically, hosts and guests opt for smart casual attire, not to the level of formal attire like suits. The hosts may dress in their auspicious color based on their birth date. (You may want to check out this article on our website.) In some cases, both parties may wear white garments to symbolize purity. It is best to avoid black attire. If attending the ceremony as a guest, you may inquire about the dress code from the hosts.
8. Avoid arguments or saying negative words on the housewarming day.
9. Avoid committing negative actions or bringing objects that represent bad luck such as dead clocks, chipped or broken glasses, or sharp objects. You should not sit on the stairs definitely because it is dangerous and is believed that house spirits do not like it.
10. Thanks to the cultural openness of the Thai people, non-Buddhist guests are welcome to the housewarming ceremony without issue. It is advisable for them to dress modestly and respectfully, and they can wear their religious attire or symbols. During the Buddhist chants, guests can listen calmly and do not need to put their hands together over their chest.
Values behind the rituals
The Thai housewarming ceremony stands as yet another intangible heritage of Thailand, reflecting the values that underpin the Thai society. The housewarming ceremony is rooted in the belief that performing good deeds fosters auspiciousness. This belief resonates with compassion as we dedicate merit to benevolent spirits, and strengthens the fabric of our community as beloved guests come to support homeowners. In a business context, housewarming ceremonies uplift the spirits of business owners and, for larger companies, instill a sense of pride and belonging among employees, contributing to a positive work environment. This is beauty of cultural openness in Thailand with a harmonious blend of animist and Buddhist beliefs, alongside the influences from Brahmin-Hinduism. Ultimately, the housewarming ceremony serves as a symbol of family unity and solidarity that extends beyond the threshold of our home, but to our community and society as a whole.
The story of the “Housewarming Ceremony” is an aspect of Thai tradition that marks an important milestone in a Thai person’s life. The elements of this practice demonstrate the harmonious blend of spiritual beliefs and reflect the value of compassion in Thai society. Join us in exploring more stories of Thailand and the Thai people, as we take you on a journey to discover Thainess.
Sources
- https://www.culture.go.th/culture_th/ewt_news.php?nid=5366&filename=index
- https://www2.m-culture.go.th/th/download_ebook.php?eid=403
- https://www.sansiri.com/content/view/transfer-preparing-for-new-housemove/th/
Author: Soonyata Mianlamai
Editor: Tayud Mongkolrat
31 May 2024