The Bangkok Office Inauguration and Blessing

The Bangkok Office Inauguration and Blessing January 9, 2002
The Rockefeller Foundation recently moved into its new offices in Bangkok, Thailand, a country located in Southeast Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Thailand, with a population of 61,797,751, lies southeast of Burma. A RockLink editor talked to Wannee Vardhanabhuti, the administrative office manager for the Bangkok office, about some of the customs involved in the official blessing and inauguration of the new office. I noticed in the photographs that several monks attended the opening. What is the significance of inviting them to the office inauguration? It is the Thai culture and belief that when moving into a new home, office or location, the new place should be blessed for prosperity and fertility. Thus, the staff of the Bangkok office invited the monks to do the blessings and praying in the new office. This has great significance for the Thais. The monks are from the northern part of Thailand and their chanting representing northern dialect, which is sweeter in tone than the central Thai dialect in Bangkok. The Bangkok office selected the monk from this temple because the Abbot himself is one of the most respected monks in Bangkok and the location of the temple is not too far from the office.
Why are they holding string?

		The holy string is tied around the Buddha Image from the beginning, passing through all monks who hold the string in their hands. Their chanting/praying will protect the office from evils and misfortune. Actually, the string should be tied around the building office. As it is not possible to do so the monks just hold the string while praying.

I understand that selecting the date of the opening was very important. Why?

The office needed to carefully select an auspicious date and time for the opening. The popular figure is "9" which in Thai means "progress." Auspicious day(s) are identified by the Thai astrologer and announced in the royal calendar. In our case Wednesday is the most auspicious day during the period January 1, 2002-April 15, 2002. Therefore, Wednesday, January 9 was selected for the Bangkok office inauguration purpose. Above you see the monks chanting to pray for the success of the office and the well being of the staff.

In the two photos below, Gordon Conway (left) and John O’Toole (right) are offering food to the monks. What does this gesture represent?



The offering of food to the monks is intended for merit making. Offering food to the holy man is good merit. The holy man (monk), after receiving the food, will bless the offerer with good blessings in return.

Here’s an interesting photograph. It’s of you and Lia Sciortino pouring holy water over your hands and into cups. What is the significance of this ritual?


Once the offerer receives blessings from the monk, they will pour the water into the ground, which is witnessed by God Mother of Earth, dedicating all good deeds being done to the late ancestors, parents, friends, et. al. so that everyone on earth will receive all blessings as will the offerer. In our case the pouring was done in the office to the special container and eventually we pour it into the plant at the end of the ceremony. This is how one can feel 'purified' and share the feeling of purification with others.

I notice Susan Conway and a few others with their hands together and their heads bowed. What were they doing?

It’s true that Susan Conway and several others have the palms of their hands together and their heads lowered. However, this gesture is the way the Thais show respect to the monk – same as paying respect to the elderly person regardless of the monk's age.

In the next series of photos, we see several things happening. In the one to the right, it appears as though the monk is knocking on the door.

What you are seeing is Abbot Ratanamnuee of Tung Satit Temple blessing the office with sprinkles of holy water.

And, the two below, Abbot Ratanamnuee seems to be sticking something above the sign, yes?


The white markings above the RF sign shown on the picture are from special white powder mixed with Thai local perfume illustrating good luck and prosperity. Three pieces of gold leaves are pasted to add gloriousity and fertility.

And one final question, who are those people standing with Abbot Ratanamnuee?
		From left to right, it's Jim Orr, the board of trustees chair, Gordon Conway, RF president and Rosalia Sciortino, foundation regional representative for Southeast Asia. This was taken in front of the office sign after it had been blessed.