One thing I'm really enjoying about living abroad is experiencing traditions that are just so different from what I am accustomed to. Through some of these experiences I have come to realize I subconsciously think the way we do things in the U.S. is THE way things are done. This isn't to say I'm not educated about other cultures or that I haven't traveled, but for me it is easy to get wrapped up in "our" world and I tend to forget the way we do things is just one way to do them. With that being said attending the blessing ceremony for our new office building and a Khmer wedding were experiences I'm happy I could attend.
We had trouble getting back from the field on time so I arrived late to the blessing ceremony. We entered to find all the staff seated on the ground facing four or five monks. I shuffled to the back wanting to seem as inconspicuous as possible considering I had no clue what I should be doing. I noticed everyone had their feet tucked under their bodies, facing away from the monks. I remembered feet are considered unclean in the Buddhist religion so I figured it was to show respect. I tucked my feet behind me and observed the scene in front of me. The monks were chanting unintelligible prayers and the staff who were all holding their hands together in prayer periodically joined in. Having gone to a Catholic high school and not being Catholic myself, I had to chuckle a little because it brought me back to the early days when I was completely lost during the communion rituals.
Ceremony
The chanting went on for awhile and then as the monks continued to pray they started tossing water onto us. Meta, one of my co-workers, ducked behind another person trying to avoid the dousing we were all getting. Toward the end they also started throwing candy at us. It was like being at a 4th of July parade - everyone grabbed the candy as it fell around us. I, of course, copied everyone and started snatching up the candies. I could also tell people were getting uncomfortable in their sitting positions, but no one was budging...except the only other expat in the room. The manager of the office was front and center and at one point he shifted to a cross-legged position and everyone started laughing and pointing at him. He clearly had made a no-no by pointing his feet toward the monks. I secretly applauded myself because I had guessed right about why no one was sitting like that.
After the ceremony was over we had a big dinner out in front of the office. It was catered and everything so we had multiple courses - chicken, seafood, rice, veggies, and lots of beer.
Cheers!
What I've learned since is that whenever a building is built or a home is purchased the monks come to bless it. Since our ceremony I have seen several of these gatherings. There is actually a massive hotel "The Mekong Dolphin Hotel" that is being built close-by and the other day I saw about 100 people gathered outside in the middle of the blessing ceremony.