This was a very special time in my life. I thought my world had ended when my son Andrew passed away. IKEA managed to save me somehow. Seeing these lovely people come into the store we had just finished building and bless it, was really spiritual and gave meaning to what I was actually doing.
The staff restaurant, along with most departments had just been finished and the staff were invited to the official opening. This was a welcomed opportunity to down tool and relax for a while. After six weeks of intense physical effort, in the heat of Thailand, it was just nice to sit down.
Before the all of monks gathered into the restaurant, one of them gently unrolled a large ball of wool and started to drape it around the perimeter of the room. Then as the other monks came in and sat in a line, crossed legged, the sole monk also included them in his wool wrapping. When he finished he blessed everyone with holy water before joining the line and sat on the end holding the wool.
We were asked to gather around and sit down in front of them respectively. I was so in ore of these beautiful men and their rituals, I just plonked myself down on the floor. Getting comfortable, I stretched my legs out in front of myself, until a co worker nudged me, and whispered ‘respect’ and pointed to my feet. Augh no ..this was very rude to the monks, showing the soles of your feet. I felt so ashamed, but quickly put the situation right, and sort of crossed my legs. I was nervous that I had upset the monks, with my feet, I was conscious of taking photos of them and when I videoed them I think one was looking at me in disapproval.
The ceremony began and we were told that the Monks would be presented with gifts each, as a thank you ( This was expected by them ) and the wool ‘circle’ that the sole monk had formed, was a sacred circle to bring good luck and fortune to the store and all who passed through the doors.
The Monks started to prey quietly, then this turned in a chant, which was so beautiful and mesmerising. This went on for quite a while, but I was so ‘in the zone ‘ I cannot recall just how long it was. I will place a link at the bottom of this page , so you can see for yourself how beautiful it was. You can see them holding the ‘circle of wool’.
After, the monks were thanked by the manager of the store and the gifts were given to them. Which they quickly took and hid them under their robes, where they were sitting. They then thanked all of us for the gifts and wished us well.
Such a wonderful moment and such humble people, I shall never forget.
Buddhist monasticism is one of the earliest surviving forms of organised monasticism and one of the fundamental institutions of Buddhism. Monks and nuns, called bhikkhu (Pali, Skt. … bhikshuni), are responsible for the preservation and dissemination of the Buddha’s teaching and the guidance of Buddhist lay people.-Wikipedia
Link to video https://youtu.be/2zraIvAi7Rs
JULIAS INSPIRATION 