End Of Buddhist Lent (auk Pansa)

[lannaman]

I see the moon is full and the last one before Loy Kratong Festival. This marks the end of Buddhist Lent (Auk Pansa), and the time good Buddhists line up in many towns and villages and make merit offerings to the monks.

In my Thai wife's village offerings of rice are poured directly into the offering bowls. Here In Chiang Rai City my family are currently sat around on a mat and sealing up very small plastic bags filled with about a tablespoon full of rice each. This is probably happening in most households in the land. Surely in an age when there are so many concerns about global warming, and unnecessary use of energy this practice should be banned Kingdom wide. This would be of service to the future good of the planet and save a lot of time and energy on behalf of the good worshipers who labouriously fill the bags, and to the monks themselves who have to empty them before feasting on all the good fare on offer. If this action is, in itself, an act of merit making maybe a bio-degradable alternative other than the dreaded plastic could be found to pack the rice, or, if not, then pour the rice the old way directly into the bowls.

If anyone in authority reads this and agrees then please let it be known to the Buddhist hierarchy, so helping in a small way to save our planet. Or, get this message to your local abbot.

[Grover]

I agree with this sentiment, but you will find This Is Thailand, and this message will fall on deaf ears. Why? economics and the mai pen rai attitude

[sceadugenga]

I agree Grover, madness lies in worrying too much about that sort of thing in Thailand.

My wife only ever gives money for religious occasions, the only time I saw her buy those orange baskets was when the monks actually came to our house to bless it.

[chownah]

Banana leaves are a biodegradable substitute for small plastic bags.

[sceadugenga]

Banana leaves are a biodegradable substitute for small plastic bags.

I must admit I've never seen it done in plastic bags, always banana leaves. But this being Thailand I was prepared to accept the OP's word that it was common practice.

[mumbojumbo]

The pseudo practisers of this lent, that have already cheated, can be relieved by now. OK erg and limbo.

[lannaman]

On consulting further the fact is that: Banana leaves are fine for sticky rice, but not at all suitable for loose rice grains. The rice they give the monks is sticky rice in it's uncooked form.