I'd appreciate any information/website that might explain the ceremony held at a Thai temple where 9 stone balls are dropped into holes around/in the temple. The ceremony is called 'dat wai luk ne-med'

A ceremony like this was held near my village recently, but I haven't been able to find out any info on how/why these ceremonies are held.

Thanks from Udon

This would be related to the Siima (pali word). A Siima is a boundary in which important monastic ceremonies are held such as ordination ceremonies and reciting of the Patimokha (monks rules). The nine stones would mark the boundary of the siima, probably around the 'bot'.

siima boundary are necessary because there needs to be agreement by all monks present for certain ceremonies. eg. at the ordination ceremony all the monks present must agree (or not object) to the ordination of the new monk. There may be many monks in the temple who do not attend, therefor there needs to be a barrier to distinguish those in from those out of the ceremonies. If a wat has no siima, then ordination ceremonies cannot be carried out.

As time has progressed the rules for the siima have developed and become more complex.

Bankei

I'd appreciate any information/website that might explain the ceremony held at a Thai temple where 9 stone balls are dropped into holes around/in the temple. The ceremony is called 'dat wai luk ne-med'

A ceremony like this was held near my village recently, but I haven't been able to find out any info on how/why these ceremonies are held.

Thanks from Udon

Here is an explanation, along with photos, in another thread in this subforum.