What is Poy Sang Long?

Question

Before and after the festival; what are they permitted to do?

Answer 1

Poi Sang Long is a Buddhist novice ordination ceremony, but unlike any other ceremony of its type in the country. Young boys aged between 7 and 14 are ordained as novices to learn the Buddhist doctrines. It's believed that they will gain merit ordaining for their parents.

The origins of this festival lie in Buddhist legend. It is believed that the tradition is probably following in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the Buddha's own son, who gave up his worldly life to follow his father's spiritual teachings. Prince Rahula became the youngest ordained monk and the first novice in Buddhism. Subsequently it became a tradition that young boys should ordain to learn Buddhist teachings.

With such high reverence to the Buddhist religion, the people here consider that the celebrations should be as grand as possible.

The festival lasts for three days. On the first day, the boys have their heads shaved. Then, they are bathed and anointed with special waters and dressed up elegantly and colorfully while their faces are superbly embellished. By this time, the boys are known locally as 'Sang Long' or 'Look Kaew' (jewel sons).

On the second day, a colorful procession is held displaying offerings for the monks. On the third day, the procession once again proceeds through the town and the boys are taken to the temples for the formal ordination ceremony.

The colorful festival is one of the most delightful in the north, attracting people from far and wide. The local authorities and the Tourism Authority of Thailand consider this festival to be unique to Mae Hong Son, the so-called 'Province of the Three Mists.'

Answer 2

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The festival is the custom and tradition of the Shans or Tai Yaian ethnic Thai tribe who migrated from northern Burma and then inhabited most of Mae Hong Sorn. The Tai Yais have a strong devotion to Buddhism, and to follow their age-old tradition the young boys between the age of 7 and 14 will be ordained as novices for a period to learn the Buddhist doctrinces and to gain merit for their parents. It is believed that the tradition is probably to follow in the footsteps of Prince Rahula, the first Buddhist novice who was the Buddha's own son. The young prince gave up his wordly life to follow his father's spiritual teachings.

The festival is rich in colour and display making it a most exciting event that draws residents of the entire province to take part. Prior to the arrival of the three-day festival, the boys have their heads shaved and are then bathed and anointed with special waters. They are dressed up in jewelled finery and their faces are expertly made up. These boys are known as the "Jewel Princes" or "Look Kaew" in Thai.

Answer 3

Poy Sang Long is the festival of the jewel princess a ceremony of northern Thailand.
3 days before their ordination they dress up in lavish cloths, jewelery and make-up and parade around the street and city on the shoulders of friends and family. on the last day they take off their lavish cloths and put on the saffron rob of monk hood.