I’ve tried searching the forum but keep getting error messages.

Me, and my (Thai) wife of 35 years live in Thailand. Our son (now 28 years old) resides in the UK but has agreed to satisfy his mother’s wish to be ordained into the monkhood, albeit briefly. He does not speak much Thai but I gather that is not an essential requirement.

We spoke this morning to the abbot of a wat in our selected area and he explained that a 9-day sojourn could be arranged at almost any time of the year. He provided a ‘book of prayer’ in the Thai language and suggested that our son learn specifically selected text by heart. He said that whilst some other wats with English speaking monks or support staff exist and can tutor non Thai speaking ordinates it does not have the same kudos as saying the prayers yourself, albeit unaware of the meaning.

I can get the selected text spoken by a Thai speaker and make an English language transliteration but an audio version in Thai language would be an advantage.

Knowing my wife, she may well change her ‘selected’ wat before the intended date of ordination in March 2006 but the preparation and requirements will remain the same.

Can anyone give me tips on what is required and point to some reading material that my son could benefit from?

English speaking wats in Thailand do exist but they may not be in a convenient location for the gathering of our relatives and friends.

Please do not suggest UK based wats. We want to do the ordination in Kingdom.

thanks

Can not help with your questions but would point out that the location does not have to be local for relatives and friends to gather as bus or vans can be used and normally those going are more than willing to pay (at least part of the expense) as it brings merit on everyone. We just traveled from Bangkok to the border of Loei last year (24 hour trip) using 45 seat bus and several vans. It is a good time for all; so in some ways an out of area ordination may be better. People also get to experience different customs when it is not the local temple.

There is a wat which accepts falangs in CM

Forgotten the name but will get it for you if you are interested.

English speaking wats in Thailand do exist but they may not be in a convenient location for the gathering of our relatives and friends.

Please do not suggest UK based wats. We want to do the ordination in Kingdom.

Where are your relatives and friends?

There is a wat which accepts falangs in CM

His son is not a farang. I assume you mean it accepts those who can't speak Thai.

There is a famous one near Udon which has a few Western monks(English speaking)

The majority of relatives and friends are in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi with others in Surin. by then we will be residing in Hua Hin so that's why my wife is currently looking at a Ratchaburi wat.

Our son is luek khreung' British father, Thai mother but speaks only a little Thai.

Mostly I need advice on the pre-ordination requirements such as learning religious texts in advance. Any constructive advice will be welcomed.

The majority of relatives and friends are in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi with others in Surin. by then we will be residing in Hua Hin so that's why my wife is currently looking at a Ratchaburi wat.

Our son is luek khreung' British father, Thai mother but speaks only a little Thai.

Mostly I need advice on the pre-ordination requirements such as learning religious texts in advance. Any constructive advice will be welcomed.

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heres a couple of websites that may be of use

http://www.concentration.org/_monastic.html

http://www.dharmanet.org/thai_94.html

hope it helps

Thanks Clip; I will take a look.

The majority of relatives and friends are in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi with others in Surin. by then we will be residing in Hua Hin so that's why my wife is currently looking at a Ratchaburi wat.

Our son is luek khreung' British father, Thai mother but speaks only a little Thai.

Mostly I need advice on the pre-ordination requirements such as learning religious texts in advance. Any constructive advice will be welcomed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

heres a couple of websites that may be of use

http://www.concentration.org/_monastic.html

http://www.dharmanet.org/thai_94.html

hope it helps

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello Peter

There is a book called "Ordination Proceedure" available from the Mahamakut Foundation. It is available from the bookshop opposite Wat Boworn in Bangkok. The book is written for English speakers with an outline of the proceedure and transliteration of the Pali needed for the ceremony.

It will all be in Pali language - not Thai. There seems to be a lot to remember, and the wording changes depending on how many are ordaining together etc (eg I/we). There may probably be audio tapes/files on the net somewhere which could be used to help your son memorise the phrases needed.

There may also be some slight differences between the ceremony used by the Dhammayutika Nikaya and the Mahanikaya groups.

Bankei

Thanks Bakei, every little helps. I will search out the book.

Hello Peter

There is a book called "Ordination Proceedure" available from the Mahamakut Foundation. It is available from the bookshop opposite Wat Boworn in Bangkok. The book is written for English speakers with an outline of the proceedure and transliteration of the Pali needed for the ceremony.

It will all be in Pali language - not Thai. There seems to be a lot to remember, and the wording changes depending on how many are ordaining together etc (eg I/we). There may probably be audio tapes/files on the net somewhere which could be used to help your son memorise the phrases needed.

There may also be some slight differences between the ceremony used by the Dhammayutika Nikaya and the Mahanikaya groups.

Bankei

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