Poi Luk Kaeo or Poi Noi is a celebration for the ordination of boys who intend to enter the Buddhist monkhood as novices. It is usually held in the 5th or 6th month, or around February to May. When young boys have stayed and helped do odd jobs at the temple for some time and those who have finished compulsory education, the temple and their senior and elder relatives would arrange for them to be ordained as a novice.
On a certain auspicious day, the parents or relatives will act as the host to provide all the necessary things or requisites for a new novice such as the undergarment, robe, singlet, alma bowl, needles, a razor, cloth for filter water for drinking, rosary beads and a cloth girdle (optional). There are three sets of offerings of three or six candles, flowers in a banana leaf cone or made into the name of the prospective novice: one set to request ordination, one to request the novice precepts and the other one for the preceptor or ordainer.
The prospective novice has to prepare himself by memorizing and reciting the passage to request ordination, some have to practice reading texts written in the northern character alphabet as most of the Dharma scriptures are in the northern script. They also have to practice chanting prayers and performing morning and evening chanting as well as the proper manner of paying respect to the Buddha and the Sangha as well as other manners appropriate to a novice.
Before the ordination day, there is another rite called aeo pha um, that is to put all the requisites for a novice in a raised tray and carried around with a large umbrella in a procession of drums and gong beating throughout the village and the neighborhood to announce the merit making occasion.
When the ordination day comes, the host and other participants as well as the fellow devotees will assemble at the temple with the prospective novice, who is elaborately dressed up supposedly like Prince Sidhartha when he entered the ordination into the monkhood. Besides the elegant and colorful clothing, the prospective novice or luk kaeo will bathe with perfume or scented water as well as apply talcum powder. Some strong men are assigned to carry the luk kaeo on their shoulders to enter the chapel. But before that time, they will have the luk kaeo ride on a horse, and elephant, a bicycle, a tricycle or on the shoulders of a strong man to go around the village and drop in at some elders houses for them to tie a white string on the wrist of the luk kaeo while giving a blessing to the luk kaeo. When they return to the temple, the luk kaeo will change into white attire for the ceremony to be performed by the respective preceptor.
Ordination as a luk kaeo or a novice is considered a great merit making act among the Lanna people. It is a community engagement for the people to join with the host to sponsor the set of requisites and offerings as well as providing food to the monks and guests who attend the function. It is an occasion for one to make merit according to his or her faith or capacity.
Reference
Cremation Souvenir Book of Khun Pho Prasong Panyaphu:
Samutphap Phapkao laorueang mueang Lamphun.
(2009) [n.d., n. pl.].
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