Spirit House Dedication

Along with the other events of the day, there was also the spirit house dedication. We knew that it would be happening and we tried to come late so we didn't have to be there for the dedication, but in typical Thai fashion, the dedication started late and as a result, we were right on time. I took the opportunity to take some pictures to put here on our blog. The whole idea of the spirit house is kind of hard to understand because I have heard so many different versions of what the spirit house is for, but I will share the version I think is the real one and stick to it. (Mainly because this is what my family here has told me). The spirit house is an important part of a Thai household (if that household is Buddhist). The spirit house is put up with the idea of good spirits dwelling there in order to protect the property, even when the landowners aren't there. Along with that, the good spirits also protect the people living in the house. Strong Buddhists, will bring food, drinks or flowers to the spirit house daily trying to keep the good spirits happy. Although most houses have a spirit house, from my observation, they seem to be losing importance. Spirit houses are not only put up at houses but at places where lots of accidents happen or other important places. Even western stores put up spirit houses in maintaining with Thai culture. Atlhough they seem to be less important, it is still very bad to do anything to a spirit house. Thais have a specific manner of removing a spirit house, and is good follow the appropriate ways of having the house removed, even as a Christian so that othere Buddhists are not offended.