Temple Rituals in Nakhon Phanom: Explained

Thailand is a major centre of the Buddhist religion. Approximately 95% of Thais are Buddhist and regularly visit temples to make merit. The temple rituals in Nakhon Phanom may seem mysterious to outsiders!

The best way to get to the various temples across the region is with a car rental in Nakhon Phanom from Drive Car Rental. 

The Basics of Buddhism

Buddhists are strong believers in karma and reincarnation. They believe that after a person dies, they are born again as a different form of life. Those who do good deeds gain positive karma and move on to a higher form of being on their way to find Nirvana. Anyone who has negative karma will be reborn as a lesser animal or insect as punishment. 

Unlike other religions, Buddhism has no god. Buddha himself was a simple man who turned away from wealth and riches to seek enlightenment through good deeds and meditation. 

Temple Etiquette

Buddhism, as a religion, is more tolerant than many other religions. Still, it is a conservative movement, and outsiders should make an effort to follow the proper protocol. Here are a few important rules to note:

Dress Respectably

Visitors to a temple should wear a shirt that covers the shoulders and chest entirely, along with trousers, shorts, or a skirt that ends below the knee. Many temples have wide scarves available for free for visitors to help them cover up.

Don’t Touch Monks

Thai people don’t shake hands when they meet. They put their hands in a prayer position and raise them in front of their face. This is known as a ‘wai’ in Thai culture. 

Part of the reason for this is the belief that a monk should not be touched. This extends even further for women. If a woman touches a monk, he must undergo a strict and regimented cleansing ritual. Therefore, it is best to keep one’s distance and simply smile or have a polite conversation. 

Never Show the Sole of the Foot

To show the sole of the foot to someone is seen as disrespectful in Thai culture. When Thais pray to the Buddha image inside a temple, they always bend down with their knees to the ground and the soles of their feet pointed away from the Buddha. Sitting with legs stretched out in front of you with your soles pointed towards the Buddha is highly frowned upon. 

Those visiting a temple should also be sure to remove any footwear before stepping inside the building. Now that proper etiquette has been covered, here are some of the common rituals performed at temples:

Merit Making

Thais regularly visit temples to make merit. This can involve prayers, donations, or volunteer work at the temple. Buddhists see this as a way to gain positive karma for their next life. People can also make merit for others or loved ones by giving a donation in their name. 

Alms Giving

Each morning at sunrise, monks from the temples will go into the neighbourhood with their donation bowls. Anyone passing by can put money, food, drink, or medicine into the offering bowl. 

Some people may ask the monk for a prayer for something that troubles them, others just ‘wai’ the monk to show respect. Once again, it’s important to remember to never touch the monk when placing a donation in their bowl.

Wat Phra That Phanom Annual Pilgrimage

Wat Phra That Phanom is a sacred temple approximately seventy kilometres to the south of the city. It is ancient and is believed to hold the breast bone of Buddha himself. 

Each year in late January or early February, based on the lunar calendar, worshippers from across Thailand make pilgrimages to the temple for merit making and prayers. According to legend, those who make seven pilgrimages will become prosperous. 

The decision to visit places such as Wat Phra That Phanom comes down to whether a visitor’s priorities include hidden gems as well as main attractions in Nakhon Phanom.

Visit Faraway Destinations With Drive Car Rental

With limited public transit options, the easiest way to visit all the temples and sites across Nakhon Phanom and Thailand is with a rental car. Drive Car Rental has a convenient office located at the Nakhon Phanom Airport as well as other airports and major cities across Thailand. 

We provide a full range of vehicles, from luxury sedans to electrics, SUVs and more. For big discounts, ask about monthly and annual rentals. Visit our site today to see our full selection, and book early to get a 10% discount!