A Bizarre Ceremony in Thailand

Remind you of anything? Yet another reminder that there are ‘many Buddhisms’ out there and not all are quite like what we would expect here in the West. Also a reminder that while it may look corrupt, it is important to examine the motives of the monks/temple(s?) that perform these services. For years there has been a Japanese “Jizo” service for women who have had abortions or miscarriages where women would donate to a temple, sometimes large amounts, for the sake of the lost baby. Some have questioned these services as mere money-making activities on the part of the monks. But others see it as a valuable service in restoring calm, dignity, and community.

So, perhaps the same is true in Thailand with this ceremony.