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An inauguration ceremony called
"FANG LUUK NIMIT" (ฝังลูกนิมิต)
is done to consecrate a temple. Some sacred marker spheres
"LUUK NIMIT" (ลูกนิมิต)
need to be buried in the temple compound.
Boundary stone
The "SIMA" around the temple compound
are called big boundary stones
("SIMA JAI" - สีมาใหญ่).
The "SIMA" around the "UBOSOT" are called small boundary stones
("SIMA LEK" - สีมาเล็ก).
The main Buddhist religious ceremonies
(daily prayers, ordination of new monks) are held in the main shrine
hall called "UBOSOT" (อุโบสถ).
The consecration of an "UBOSOT" involves burying nine boundary stones. Then
there is a custom of placing boundary stones
("SIMA" - สีมา) over the spheres.
Main shrine hall
Before the inauguration ceremony, a feast happens in the temple and lasts one week.
Many white threads adorn the "UBOSOT".
When a Buddhist ceremony happens in a Thai
temple all the monks must be in the area limited by the boundary stones. That's
why for big temples with many monks, the boundary stones are around the
"UBOSOT" (visitor monks don't have to participate to ceremonies) and
for smaller temples the bounding stones are around the temple compound.
Main shrine hall
Some Thai ladies clean and prepare the compound around the "UBOSOT".
The mass ordination will happen there on the first day of the temple consecration.
Inside the main shrine hall
As the temple consecration is a ceremony for a new opening of the "UBOSOT",
the main Buddha statue is covered by a white cloth. It simulates that it is a new Buddha statue also.
The white cloth will be removed at the end of the celebrations.
All the white threads are starting from the main Buddha image.
Sacred marker sphere
A "LUUK NIMIT" (ลูกนิมิต)
or sacred marker sphere is waiting to be buried at
the inauguration ceremony.
Nine stone spheres demarcate the sacred space around the
"UBOSOT": one at the centre, four at the corners and four at the cardinal points.
When the building of the ceremonial hall is completed, the balls are hung above
the holes in which they will be buried.
Billboard
This billboard display includes the place, date and the program timetable.
First day is "BUAT CHEE PHRAM"
(บวชชีพราหมณ์), a
huge ordination ceremony during one night.
Other days include free "MOLAM" orchestra
performances, Thai boxing, outdoor cinema.
Billboard
Huge billboards are displayed in the area to advertise the forthcoming temple
consecration. It includes the place, date and the program timetable.
Billboard
This billboard display includes the place, date and the program timetable.
First day is "BUAT CHEE PHRAM"
(บวชชีพราหมณ์), a
huge ordination ceremony during one night. Some temples just organize this religious
ceremony and no orchestra performances.
Car procession
A car procession is getting through the town centre to advertise the forthcoming temple
consecration through big speakers and music. Some cars carry Buddha statues. People can give
donations to support the temple consecration.
Car procession
With such huge speakers and loud "MOLAM" music,
all the city is aware of the forthcoming temple consecration.
