HODSONG: A SACRED RITUAL THROUGH COMMUNITY FAITH IN ISAN SOCIETY

Abstract

            This academic article aims to study the history of the Hodsong ceremony in the Isan region. It is found that Hodsong is a ritual that Buddhists in the Isan region have traditionally inherited and performed with faith. It is a ceremony of pouring water on the hands of monks and novices that the villagers have a reasonable resolution for appropriate qualifications of monks and novices to be honored in Buddhism. The monks and novices are selected based on their respectful behavior and personality and then they are invited to attend and perform the Hodsong ceremony. Thera Phisek Hodsong ceremony is an ancient tradition that the Isan people have transcended from the former Kingdom of Laos in the past and has been inherited for many generations. It is a ceremony that the Isan Buddhists assemble for at least 2 benefits including: It is a ceremony for presenting the rank or honor to Phra Maha Thera (high ranking Buddhist monks), monks and novices with the right practice. In other words, it could be said that in addition to being a blessing to the participants of the said ceremony, it is believed that the participants will be blessed with the fourfold blessings including: age, caste, happiness and strength with intelligence and fortune. That is because the participants in the Hodsong ceremony have opportunity to pour water on the hands of the revered Phra Maha Thera that are well equipped with Dhamma and merit so that in return they can be blessed.