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TRADITIONS & UTENSILS

 

 

 

  riyan prooythaan

 

Thailand

Riyan prooythaan are monetary gifts in the form of coins, that are thrown into a crowd of visitors to a Buddhist event, typically during a buatnaag ordination ceremony called buat (fig.), or at a funeral.

 

The coins are wrapped in packages skillfully handmade from colourful ribbons or strapping bands, often fashioned in the form of flowers, such as these lotus flower buds, in which case the prooythaan (fig.) may also carry a deeper symbolism, i.e. whereas the discarding of money symbolizes the retreat from the material world, the lotus buds, often seen on the head of certain style Buddha statues (fig.), are a symbol of Enlightenment.

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