Yet Thai pastors see Songkran as an opportunity to show the wider Thai society that Christians also honor their elders, even if they don’t participate in certain Buddhist rituals. Thai Christians differ from their countrypeople in their participation of Songkran because of the holiday’s Buddhist roots and because of the drinking and partying that have become associated with it. People exchange floral garlands made of jasmine, roses, and white champaca (flowers similar to magnolias). They also pay respect to their elders and seek their blessing by pouring water over their hands. During the holiday, Thais travel across the nation to visit their family and strengthen familial bonds as they move toward the new year.
Spending time with family is also integral to Songkran. Worshipers also bring food for monks to make merit. This symbolic act is believed to atone for sins, bring purification, and make merit (gain good karma by performing good deeds). According to Buddhist tradition, water symbolizes ritual cleansing, righting last year’s wrongs, and welcoming the clean slate of a new year.īeyond the raucous water fights on the streets, Thai Buddhists visit temples during Songkran to pour water over statues of Buddha and the hands of monks. The holiday is also celebrated in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and several other regions that follow the Buddhist calendar.
Water-and lots of it-replaces fireworks in Songkran, Thailand’s new year celebration, held April 13–15.
WATER WATER EVERYWHERE DRIVERS
Motorcycle drivers squint to see through the deluge-which often comes at them from multiple directions-while their passengers soak as many people as can as they pass. People stand in the back of truck beds and use buckets to fling water and ice at neighboring trucks. Taking place during the hottest week of the year, children and adults spray each other with colorful plastic water guns. This is the third article in the Engaging Buddhism series, which explores different facets of Buddhism and how Christians can engage with and minister to Buddhists.įor the first time since the pandemic began, the massive water fights of Songkran have returned to Thailand’s streets.
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