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TRADITIONS & UTENSILS

 

 

 

  Toh Chatah Chiwit

 

Thailand

Toh Chatah Chiwit, is the Thai name of an unconventional ritual in which a Buddhist monk performs a symbolical burial for a living person. It is done to break with one's old life, or at least the intention to do so, and at the start of a new chapter in ones life, e.g. on a special birthday.

 

A lay person will lie down, either in a coffin or on the floor underneath a white sheet, thus symbolizing death. After the monk has chanted an incantation and performed some rites, the person involved rises again, and is symbolically reborn as a new person.

 

  Toh Chatah Chiwit

 

  Toh Chatah Chiwit

 

First the person undergoing the ritual will lit some candles and three incense sticks, while kneeling down and saying a prayer, followed by an aphiwaht to show of respect. Then the monk is offered some flowers and a monetary gift.

 

The person will then lie down and is covered by a white sheet, akin to a corpse, after which the monk will chant an incantation and perform some rites. Then the sheet is removed, the person reverses and covered once again, and the monk repeats the ritual, now from the side of the feet.

 

  Toh Chatah Chiwit

 

  Toh Chatah Chiwit

 

When all is done, the person involved rises again, and is symbolically reborn as a new person. Then a kruad nahm ritual, commonly used in Buddhist funeral ceremonies, is performed, in which water from a small metal flaks is slowly poured into a small corresponding bowl (fig.).

 

To finalize the ceremony, the monk will give some nahm mon, i.e. ‘blessed water’, to the participant, who will pour it over the head and wash the face with it.

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  Toh Chatah Chiwit