Buddhist Wedding

[Mobaan]

I attended a wedding ceremony in Issan . There were no monks present , but a man called a "Pram ?"who conducted the ceremony . I was told , if I understood that correctly ,that a Pram is something like a Hindu priest ? He was wearing a with suit .

How does all this work together ? I am aware of Buddhisms roots in Hinduism , but how does this mix in these days and age ?

A few days later I attended a ceremony where the ashes and bones of a dearly departed where moved to a new housing ( something like a stupa). Here again one man had to officiate , althou 3 monks were present as well , did some chanting , collected their paycheck and left in a hurry. This man supposedly was a lower ranking "Pram" , since he wore regular street cloth and not a white suit .

Any help understanding these rituals will be greatly appreciated .

[fabianfred]

Rituals...as you say.... and nothing really to do with Buddhism. Some forms of Buddhism are steeped in rituals whilst the pure Theravada is relatively clean.

The monks chant at many cermonies just because the people invite them to make merit for the occasion. A small gift or gifts are usually presented..... although it isn't really payment...it just seems that way. The people having the ceremony performed would like to make offerings to the monks chanting at the cermony to gain merit from Dana (giving).

Any chance to make merit is grabbed by many Thais, whether during morning alms-round or at other occasions.

[Mobaan]

SMALL gifts - TBH 1000 for the headmonk and 500 each for the luang pi's(for 2 minutes of chanting- --something is definately out of wack here in this village.It is definately a paycheck .

So who is the man in white -the Pram ?

[rockyysdt]

SMALL gifts - TBH 1000 for the headmonk and 500 each for the luang pi's(for 2 minutes of chanting- --something is definately out of wack here in this village.It is definately a paycheck .

So who is the man in white -the Pram ?

Not out of wack Mobaan but the way things are.

Not all Buddhist Monks are committed to upholding Buddhist teachings.

As I understand it, a Monk must not handle cash.

People can make offerings to Monks which can then in turn be given to the poor and needy.

Cash, technically can only be accepted via a third party (non Monk) and then used for worthy and charitable causes.

It's been said on a number of occasions in this Forum, that many poor become Monks, not for the calling, but as a way of making a living/life.

As Monks they are housed, fed, and most transport and medical needs are covered.

Some push the envelope by using their position to earn considerable money.

Of course there are also many Monks who are committed to practicing Dharma and strictly adhere to the precepts.

Edited March 10, 2012 by rockyysdt

[bankei]

The Prahm would probably be a brahminicle priest like person.

Thailand is steeped in Brahminism with a smattering of Buddhism. What you seen all of those shrines in Bangkok to Brahma and Ganesh?

Bankei

[sabaijai]

Phraam พราหมณ์ comes from "Brahm(an)", and in Thai it loosely refers to a man who wears all-white clothing and performs ceremonies based on weecha (วิชา)-- occult knowledge -- he has learned or inherited from another phraam. The ceremonies aren't necessarily Brahmanist; they could be animist or Buddhist in origin as well, or a combination of the three.

[Xangsamhua]

Interested and a bit surprised that the wedding was in the Isaan region and the celebrant was dressed in white and referred to as a พราหมณ์ (phrahm). I was married in Laos (albeit 40 years ago) and the celebrant was known as a หมอพร (Thai spelling), a Mor Porn, i.e. the one who bestows blessings. He was just an older bloke in the community who would be invited to preside, chant, etc over wedding baci ceremonies and other bacis for whatever occasion. Nothing very religious about it, though the first part of the chanting would be in Pali - not for long, then in Lao and usually with a fair bit of humour tossed in from that point on. No monks involved. To my knowledge, the Lao still don't involve monks in weddings.

I would have thought things were the same in the Northeast, though perhaps nearer the Cambodian border things may be different. Or times have changed. But though I may be living in the past in some respects, what I remember is pretty much the same at all the Lao diaspora weddings I've attended up till 10 years ago.

What part of Isaan was the wedding ceremony held in?