Wai Khru

Wai Khru ( Thai: พิธี ไหว้ครู - Pithi Wai Khru, " Wai- Khru ceremony" ) is a traditional ceremony in Thailand. It serves the teachers ( Khru ) his respect to testify (Wai ).

General

The Wai ( Thai: ไหว้ ) is a traditional gesture that is common in Thailand. It is both a greeting act as a sign special thanks or apology.

The words of Ernest Young, in his book "The Kingdom of the Yellow Robe" already wrote over 100 years ago, still meet in the 21st century:

The term " Khru " ( Thai: ครู - teacher), a title of the highest respect for both parents and students is demanded in Thailand. He is shown both in private conversation as well as in public. In ancient Siam education for all people outside of the royal family could only be acquired in the monastery. Monks were the teachers, as usually is the case today. It seems that - is passed as the Office of the spiritual dignitaries on the laity - was simultaneously transferred with a part of the atmosphere of worship, as it is associated with the priesthood.

Wai Khru at schools and universities

At Thai schools and universities Wai Khru ceremony which is performed once a year at the beginning of the new academic year.

Date

A fixed date there is not, however, the ceremony usually takes place on a Thursday ( Thai: วัน พฤหัสบดี - Wan Paruehat ) instead, as this day traditionally associated with the planet Jupiter ( Phra Paruhasabodi ) ( Thai: พระ พฤหัสบดี, [ p ʰ rá p ʰ árʉhàtsàbɔ ː di ː ] - short Phra Paruhat [ p ʰ p ʰ rá árʉhàt ] ), is associated. Phra Paruhat is the chaplain of the deities and teachers of Indra. Phra Paruhat was probably adopted from India long ago, there is Brihaspati ( Brihaspati; Devanagari: बृहस्पति ) the name of a deity from the Rigveda. He is the personification of piety and religion.

Expiration

First, the king hymn ( Phleng Sansasoen Phra Barami ) is true, then are some of the students quoted sutras. The Rector can also light on a kind of altar a few incense sticks. Then, each student goes before the seated in a row teachers over, she greets with a respectful Wai and presented them with a small flower arrangement that was prepared the day before.

Doing certain types of flowers are traditionally preferred, such as the flowers of the eggplant ( Thai: มะเขือ, Solanum melongena ) or the grass Cynodon dactylon dog tooth ( Thai: หญ้าแพรก - Ya- Phraek, including: Bermuda grass). The eggplant is taken, will bend the branches with the flowers down, as a respectful student bows to the teacher. The Bermuda grass stands for patience and perseverance as it looks though withered, although it is in full bloom.

Many schools and universities, it is common that students approach their teachers slipping only on knees. Before the teachers they bow in the traditional way ( Thai: กราบ - Krab ) by touching with " the five members of the body " the ground: the forehead, both palms and both knees.

Before each battle, the traditional martial art of Thailand, Muay Thai Boran, both fighters move in the ring to a special music that is sung by a small ensemble of musicians with classical instruments. The music stops during the entire fight. This dance ( Thai: รำ - Ram ) is called " Wai Khru Ram Muay " he is the coach of the fighters honor and pay them respect. In a broader sense is thus met with by the fighters of his family, religion, sport in general and the " spirit of struggle " Attention.

Other ceremonies

Particularly expensive are the ceremonies which are met with the teachers of musicians, actors and dancers.