io6
tant theological questions. Under the
there are four abbots, who are known as Somdet c/iao.
These abbots are in charge of four royal monasteries.
They are also nominated by the king and are helped
by a vicar (Siamese: Chao Khun paltat) and a
chief secretary. All the monks of the monastery are
under the abbot. Under the monks come the Sama-
nen ( Pali: Samanera), who are novices in the church
and are generally below the age of twenty. When the
novices are ordained, they are to take Pabbajjn by put-
ting aside their rich dress and taking in its stead the
yellow robe of the monks. They have to shave their
heads and take upasampadft or the ceremony of ordi-
nation. Thus the monks lead their simple lives in the
monasteries, which even now serve as the centre of
Siamese culture, which again is deeply influenced by
Indian culture. These Buddhist monks help to preser-
ve Indian culture in these distant lands.
The Buddhist festivals in Siam, as in other Bud-
dhist countries, are associated with the chief events of
the life of Lord Buddha. The festivals of the birth,
enlightenment and nirvana of Buddha—all fall on the
fifteenth day of the sixth waxing moon. For three
days the festival is celebrated with great pomp and
solemnity. The monks donot go out begging these
days, but spread the begging bowls in a line, which are
filled by the laity. The laity hear recitations from
the sacred books and sermons are preached for them.
Processions go out during the day, and there is illu-