Burning a monk's body

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:01 PM

This famous monk was from my wife's village. The temple had stored the body for the last 2 years. The temple has now recieved permission from the 'higher ups' to burn the body.

The village has built this massive structure out of wood to burn the body.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:13 PM

The villagers pay their last respects.

Here is the village boss next to a photo of the deceased monk.

The monks are seated waiting for the burning ceremony to begin.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:17 PM

The local TV station from P-lok was filming the event.

The countdown begins.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:20 PM

The fireworks had been sit up moments before the actual lighting of the body.

One last look at this massive structure.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:25 PM

The monks light the fuse.

The fireworks display begins.

And the burning begins.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:44 PM

The fire quickly begins to work.

Notice the local fire department on hand to ensure safety.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:47 PM

It did get hot!

Most people had moved back and then suddenly they all rushed to see the actual skeleton.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 01:51 PM

The following day there were many people looking for bones from the desceased monk. The collect these bones for good luck!

**stroller** · 01-05-2007, 03:15 PM

Very interesting thread, thanks.

**dirtydog** · 01-05-2007, 03:23 PM

I didn't realise they would burn the building aswell, seems a shame that.

**stroller** · 01-05-2007, 04:14 PM

These 'buildings' are made from styrofoam and paper.

**hillbilly** · 01-05-2007, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by stroller

These 'buildings' are made from styrofoam and paper.

Could be I don't really know. But when I touched and toured the structure before the burning, there was a lot of wood. Albeit, thin wood.

**bustak** · 01-05-2007, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I didn't realise they would burn the building aswell, seems a shame that.

I assume burning this beautiful wood building is a gesture of how things in life are impermanent & not to get attached to them. The idea of impermanence is a major teaching in Buddhism, I'm just assuming this is the reason why, I'm no expert by any means.

As always, nice photo journal hb! Thanx for sharing this!

**ShittySmitty** · 01-05-2007, 11:01 PM

Kewl pics. I've never seen this before. 2 years of waiting. Did the guy stink?

**stroller** · 02-05-2007, 12:49 AM

They all do, even after only 3 days.

**ShittySmitty** · 02-05-2007, 07:44 AM

Yuucchhh. I bet they were happy to burn him.

**bobbins** · 03-05-2007, 01:34 PM

In one of the early photo's (of him with the head man) he looked very young - or appeared to look young. Facinating. Thank you.

**ThaiExperience** · 07-05-2007, 12:28 AM

I have been to some funerals but this one is really special. Thanks for sharing.

**magpie** · 07-05-2007, 10:54 AM

These photos were taken at my girlfriend's father's funeral, Pak Chong, in November last year.

Phra Suthee Harnsongkram was a monk at Wat Phra Ram Gow Kanchanaphisek, the current King's temple.

In failing health, his last months were spent in the care of other monks, one of whom was a doctor, at a retreat for dying monks.

The ceremony was simple, the hole dug by locals, monks and myself. The wood for the pyre was cut by us also. It was how he wanted it, no fuss, and surrounded by nature. The ceremony lasted 3 hours.

The last photo interests me the most as it looks like there's a body in the flames, reaching skyward.

The second last photo is what remained after about an hour of burning. You can make out the skull on the left, what remains of the rib-cage in centre-frame, and the femur jutting out and up, on the left

**a. boozer** · 08-05-2007, 01:15 PM

Great pictures.

**The Gentleman Scamp** · 11-05-2007, 10:24 AM

Great pictures yes but I can't make out no skull or femur, maybe a ribcage in the glowing embers.

Regarding the first monk, did they freeze him for 2 years then defrost him for the burning?

**hillbilly** · 11-05-2007, 06:49 PM

People like the TGS can ruin many a thread. Mods?

**magpie** · 13-05-2007, 11:28 AM

**hillbilly** · 13-05-2007, 07:22 PM

Wow! magpie excellent work and detective skills!

**Goddess of Whatever** · 13-05-2007, 08:10 PM

Luckily, Marmite stays here tonight then I would not be able to sleep.

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