i have called you and you are mine

Sarita + Toby

Thai Buddhist Wedding/Blessing Ceremony - 08.22.2009

. . . . .

I have shared Sarita and Toby's affections in an earlier post.  At the time, we were galavanting around the city of Chicago, a place and culture I'm most familiar with.  But when the Saturday arrived for Sarita and Toby's Thai Buddhist wedding blessing ceremony, I was totally unprepared for the grandeur and emotion that would find its way before me.  A blessing ceremony is most ceremonious and filled with ritual and for someone outside of the culture, it was a most beautiful union and certainly an amazing rite of passage to witness.  I hope to describe a bit of what you are about to see (if you're unfamiliar!) from sources I've found--but do correct me if I'm at all inaccurate!  It was all just so full of colors and sounds and tastes that awakened my senses and brought me to the *here and now*...full of joy for such a fantastic couple.                           

During this wedding ceremony nine Buddhist monks are invited to preside over. Thai people believe that number 9 is the lucky number. Nine in Thai read as "Gouw" which means progressive. Therefore, people always choose to have 9 monks for the religious ceremony. However, any odd number, 3, 5, 7 can be used if they cannot find 9 monks. The odd number will add 1 Buddha image and the number will become even. Monks sit on straw mattress on the left of the altar. The couple sit near an altar which the Buddha image is placed. The monks recite various Pali chants to bless the couple.

The first monk holds a special fan (Talapat) in one hand and a microphone in the other hand. The monks will chant and say prayers whilst a lit candle is placed in a bowl of water. This lustral water is then used later to bless the couple (Rad Nam Sung) . A bowl of white paste may also be blessed which will be used later to anoint the foreheads of the bride and groom.

Nine trays are placed in front of the monks. Each tray contains several small dishes. After prayers are over, the newly weds present alms, food and an envelope to each monk. The monks cannot eat later than 12:00 noon. The envelopes contain money. As monks cannot touch money, Thai people give envelopes. Then monks eat and when meal is over they go back to the temple.  

          

The next part of the wedding ceremony is usually conducted by a senior elder who may be a member of the bride's family or a respected member of the community. During the wedding ceremony, the couple wear traditional Thai clothing and kneel in front of the senior elder, with the groom on the right. The couple 'wai' is specially prepared white thread, and 'sai monkhon', is looped and used to link together the bride’s and the groom’s heads. It is symbolic that the thread forms two circles which whilst linked, also remain independent. This indicates that the couple’s destinies are linked, but individual identity is retained. The circle is also symbolic because of its continuity and the fact that merit can be carried around in the circle.The senior elder then pours sacred water over the hands of the couple. Bowls of flowers are placed underneath the hands to catch the water. The guests then bless the couple by also pouring water over the hands of the couple in the 'rod nam sang' ceremony.

**I have to add here that watching each guest bless Sarita and Toby was one of the most deeply intimate and powerful experiences I have had.  To hear the wishes of joy and happiness and spot the occasional tear was almost too much for my heart!  I was pretty misty behind the lens.**

A sampling of their guests blessing them...

And the food!  Ohhh, the food...

So much joy for this pair...

Congratulations on your recent nuptials (they had a gorgeous wedding in California on September 3rd!), Sarita and Toby!!! 

Comments

[Chris]

What a beautiful ceremony! May their marraige be blessed as the day was.

[Mary Mueller]

Beautiful!!!! Looks to be one of your most colorful shoots yet! Say, where is the Thai cultural center? Was that on the northside somewhere?

[katey]

oh em gee!!!!! gorgeous, my dear! love the colors and the food!!!! you did such an amazing job capturing everything. i want to get remarried just to have you take the pictures.

[Jenn]

What an awesome blessing ceremony! Thanks for sharing the pics and the traditions. It's all so interesting. The pictures are amazing, as usual.

[Cody]

Beautiful! I have been there. Thanks for bringing back memories. Seems like it was a great ceremony to witness and photograph.