Making Merit for Songkran

Today I went to visit my school to take some pictures of a merit making ceremony for Songkran. Summer School is open at the moment and so the students are not wearing their normal uniform. Set up near the gate was a Buddha image and a bowl of rose scented water. Here the students and teachers recited a prayer and then poured the water over the Buddha image as a way to pay respect. Notice the girl is using her right hand which is supported by her left hand.

After some chanting the students and their parents then lined up behind a long row of tables. Everyone had brought some food and other essentials to offer to the monks. Again notice how the girl is offering the food with her right hand and that her right arm is supported by her left hand. The students also took off their shoes which is the proper way when making merit.After they had offered the food they then made a wai to the monk.

Afterwards, the monks all sat down in a long row and a bowl was put in front of them. The teachers and students then took turns to pour the rose scented water over their hands. These kinds of activities will be taking places at temples all over the country soon. People don’t just pour rose scented water over monks, but also their elders.