40 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
In the past, people willing to submit themselves will have to bring flowers,
incense sticks, and candles to salute the teacher. Then, the teacher will lead students
with chanting for auspiciousness and hold students’ hand in a manner to teach
them such as writing a slate as a symbol of studying.
As Thai ways of life holds the value of gratitude and reverence, there are many
types of the Wai Khru ceremony such as Wai Khru Dontree Thai (Thai music instruments),
Wai Khru Nattasilp (dance), Wai Khru Mo (expertise), Wai Khru Muay Thai (Thai boxing).
The current Wai Khru, despite differences in detail, overall process is very similar.
One of the successors is the day of hosting worshiping ceremony on Thursday, as it
is a teacher day based on the Hindu-Brahman beliefs. The teacher of the gods in
religion is Bṛhaspati (Thursday).
Different types of Wai Khru ceremonies are not only held in remembrance
of the graceful teachers, but also to make merits for past teachers. In some major
fields of study such as Thai boxing, dance and music, after students learned
subjects thoroughly, a teacher worship ceremony is held to show that the learner
has sufficient knowledge to teach others. This is therefore wisdom used to motivate
learners to complete the study diligently and successful.
• The traditional Wai Khru Muay Thai Ceremony • Wai Khru Ceremony for Music Teachers (Duriyangkasilp)
“The offering set used in the
dance Wai Khru Ceremony is
called Kan Kamnon or a bowl
filled with Wai Khru’s sacrifice
materials including a sacred
flower (Ixora flower, eggplant
flower, Bermuda grass), or scent
flowers covered with a coned
Krathong, one pack of incense
sticks, one candle, one piece
of white cloth and money for
teacher worship.”