New Thai monk blesses friends
Becoming a monk is still a rite of passage for many Thai boys, although it’s admittedly rarer these days. But when friends came to visit him on his first day, what was meant to be a spiritual moment of blessing for the new Thai monk turned into a hilarious scene with his friends.
Here’s how his friends still managed to get their blessing and the advice that Thai netizens had for the budding monk.
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Blessed with laughter in this rite of passage
Many Thais still deem it important for boys to become monks at least once in their lives. Some will do it as a rite of passage while others will do it at key moments in their lives – like after the loss of a parent.
Image credit: @phakkard_mini
So when the boys become monks, family and friends will come to support them with alms. In a TikTok video posted on 22nd November 2022, a newly ordained monk wanted to show off his new chops to bless his visiting friends with his newly practised Buddhist mantras.
Image credit: @phakkard_mini
However, it can be difficult for people to flip a switch and see their dear friend as a holy figure, even if he looks the part. If you watch the video closely, you can already see them cracking a smile when they’re presenting their alms.
Image credit: @phakkard_mini
There’s a sense that the young monk is starting to lose his composure too, after seeing his friends barely contain their smiles as if they were squirrels stockpiling walnuts in their mouths. But the floodgates were released when he started to bless them with a mantra, only to stop almost immediately and exclaim that he had picked the wrong verse.
Image credit: @phakkard_mini
The monk quickly covers his face as his friends struggle to find support as they collapse in laughter.
Tips for the budding monk from netizens
Soon after the TikTok video was posted, it went viral with over 3.9 million people tuning in to see their antics. Many Thai netizens who had presumably gone through similar ordeals offered wise tips for the young monk.
Screenshot: @phakkard_mini
Translation: Just saying “Charoen Porn” would suffice.
“Charoen Porn” is a greeting phrase used by monks that can double as a way to bless people.
Screenshot: @phakkard_mini
Translation: Come for the good karma tomorrow. Let me memorise the verses today.
Some even got blessed with clearer nasal passages just from bearing witness to this comedic, but relatable turn of events.
Screenshot: @phakkard_mini
Translation: I couldn’t breathe because of my cold, but after seeing this clip, my nasal passages cleared right up from all the laughter.
Whatever the case, it seems like our young monk has a bright future ahead of him.
Turning a mistake into an entertaining lesson
Although it’s clear that the new monk made a few mistakes in the viral clip, it’s also clear that he learned a lot from it. What’s even better is that he was given a safe space to learn as everyone took the boo-boo with good humour.
Of course, we als0 wish this young monk all the best for his next blessing.
Cover images adapted from (Clockwise from Top Left): @phakkard_mini, @phakkard_mini, @phakkard_mini
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