Boun Hōd Sōng Phra. ບຸນຫັດສົງພຣະ

This esoteric practice of washing a monk grants the host(s) of the event great merit as they are recognizing the monk’s status in going up in rank, for the benefit of the community and solidifying the Faith in the Buddha’s teachings.

This is usually done when the candidate(s) novice monk(s) (samanera) become(s) a fully ordained monk (bhikkhu), but the event is noticed once by the 5+ monks needed to witness and become preceptor, and whomever laypersons were around during the upasampadā period.

Through the training of the novice with 10 precepts while observing the remaining 217 precepts, he takes on full responsibility of the Buddha’s 227 training rules given to ensure the purity of the body for the path to full enlightenment.

With the becoming of full enlightenment, he gains wisdom in the True Dhamma and becomes an Arahant, who is considered a Noble Disciple of the Buddha. The Noble Ones are of great benefit for all of mankind and Devas alike.

This Hōd Sōng Phra has been allowed for lay-devotees to be sponsors to the witnessing of the event for many generations in Laos. My research has not allowed me to find out how many times Hōd Sōng Pra can be done and how many ranks can the Bhikkhu attain.

However, my studies have found that in Historical Buddhism, novices were allowed into the Order no earlier than 15 years of age (with parents’ consent) and could not become a bhikkhu no earlier than 20 years of age. (This has now changed and there are child novice-monks allowed into the Order as early as 3 years of age). Historical Buddhism also had no mention of excessive ranks and the addressing of the venerable monks came with the differences in languages.

Bhikkhus are ranked based on number of consecutive rains retreat seasons completed (vassas)

• bhikkhu in training : 0-5 vassas - The Lao and Thais call them - “Khrubbā or Khūbbā”

• junior/middle bhikkhu : 5-10 vassas - The Lao and Thais call them - “Khrubbā or Khūbbā”

• Therā : 10 - 20 vassas - The Lao and Thais call them “Phra Ājahn”

• Mahā-Therā : 20 plus - The Lao and Thais call them “Luang Por or Luang Bpū”

• Elder monks over 60 years of age are called “YaThan” or “YaPbū” or “YaPor” according to some Lao and Thais.