When a monk is promoted it is always a cause (or an excuse, possibly) for celebration in small rural communities in Thailand. This is especially so if the monk is an abbot. The date for the celebration is fixed well in advance to give everyone the chance to make all the necessary arrangements and preparations.
Promotion comes in several different forms. Most frequent, but not always especially celebrated, is when a monk passes a new level of Pali studies. Passing level three, for example, entitles a monk to be addressed with Phra Maha before his name. This is often as far as a monk will go in his Pali studies, and many do not get this far.
Being appointed an abbot is more of a cause for celebration. It is not necessary to be a Phra Maha to be an abbot, but a monk must have been ordained for at least five phansa (five rainy season retreats) before becoming an abbot. Abbots are often promoted to the rank of Phra Kru on the basis of their contribution to the development of their wat.
In the last few years Phana has celebrated several such promotions that I have been lucky enough to attend. The biggest occasion was when Phra Maha Samlee of the Wat in Sao Reek village was made Chao Kana Amphur, the senior monk of the amphur in admin terms. The abbot of Wat Don Kwan was promoted to Phra Kru and Phra Dit became abbot of Wat Phra Lao. And just a few weeks ago, Phra Maha Jantee of Wat Burapha was promoted to the rank of Phra Kru. At the same time, he was given a new name, but I think for a long time to come I will only remember the one I have known him by for the last few years.
The two days of celebration at Wat Burapha were advertised widely. This banner was at the end of the road leading to the wat.
In the wat compound marquees were set up, vehicles decorated, and the donations book prrepared:
A traditional Isan suk kwan had been arranged...
... and the car that the abbot would be paraded in was got ready:
A special shrine table was set up to commemorate the three abbots who preceded Phra Maha Jantee:
Phra Maha Jantee was supervising the preparations although the abbots of Wat Phra Lao and Wat Don Kwan, both very senior in terms of the phansa they have spent in the robes, were in overall charge and did a fine job on behalf of their fellow abbot.
These pictures were taken the day before the celebratory procession which I will post pictures of in my next post.
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