Make merit by offering food

Last Updated on May 25, 2022

Tak Bat

Offering alms to monks is one of the early morning activities for which you can get merit by offering food at Mae Hong Son Morning Market or elsewhere.

What do they make merit

By giving alms to monks, Buddhism practices and rituals in old local traditions. Alms giving is an important activity of monks with the following objectives:

  • Allowing people to make merit reduces frugality.
  • Providing monks with food to sustain the religion.
tak bat monks seeking alms

How to offering food

How to give alms and offer food to the monks.

According to our religious beliefs, this is a good deed activity. Giving alms food to the monks, as well as doing good deeds or donating money to charity. All Thais call Tak Bat by the same token.

Early morning monks seek alms from villagers. We will prepare a set of things to give alms in a tray. [Rice – Food – Fruit or Dessert – Water – Flower Arrangement/Incense Stick/Candle]

When the monks come up to your location, please do following below.

First step

  • Pay respect to the monk.
  • Invite the monk. (We say “Ni-Mon.”)
  • Hold the food in the tray up to your head.
  • And pray the thing you wished.
  • Offer food to the monk as step following.

Second step

  1. Rice, food, fruit or dessert
  2. Water, Set of Flowers
  3. Incense Stick and Candle

Third step

  • Sit down or bend down and pay respect.
  • The monk prays.
  • Receive a blessing from the monks.
offering food on mae hong son market

Pour water after offering food

If we want to pay tribute to someone who has passed away, we should pour water. Please request that the monks pray, and have a bottle of water with a small bowl ready.

Finish and begin your day with pride and a desire to do good. The world will be at peace.

tak bat pour water

Note:

The monks get up at 5 a.m. and prepare themselves for alms seeking. They will begin at 6 a.m. or from the temple, depending on the time of year.

The distance from the temple to the village and the number of people making merit, especially on Buddhist Religious Ceremony Holy Day, vary. The monks will return to the temple before 8 a.m. and eat breakfast.

tak bat lotus

Lotus flower

The lotus is a discourse for us Buddhists on the deepest meaning of our religious beliefs. Growing out of the thickest mud as it rises through murky waters to present the purity of its corolla to the air and sunlight.

Today’s offering may be a little less edited than usual, however. You will use similar flowers or local flowers as available at your convenience.

tak bat lotus leaf

Where else

The landmark and major temple for Mae Hong Son is Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, which hosts annual ceremonies such as New Year’s Day and the End of Buddhist Lent Day, which features a unique alms-giving ceremony.

Mae Hong Son is a good opportunity to make merit by offering food or giving alms to monks in the morning. Because of the locals’ practices throughout the city. The merit goods are available to buy and prepare. This is the slow life city. Enjoy your journey.

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