Thai Spirit Houses

[Scumbag]

I am sure that (like me) most farangs think that the stucture shown in the photo below has some significance in Buddhism.

 

 

Well they haven't anything to do with Buddhism. They are called spirit houses and they are not related to Buddhism at all. They are a Brahman tradition. They are provided by the Thais for the land spirits to live in. The Thais call on these spirits for good luck and for providing them with things like winning lottery numbers. The spirit house can vary from a simple wooden structure to very ornate large structures depending on the building they are associated with.

 

You may see monks giving their blessing to these structures but they are blessing them in the same way that you may see them blessing any other dwelling. You will not find spirit houses within a temple but perhaps just outside their walls.

[sinclair1969]

It is a common belief in Thailand that there are various spirits that belong in all places. One of them is a snake, called ngu djao thee. When starting to build a house you have to perform a ceremony where you ask the spirits for their permission to build there, and you promise them to build a spirit house for them to dwell in as soon as you have built the house, or while the building is in process. Failing to do this you may be stricken by disaster.

[Leebanon]

but also, when you move in the house, you have to go for certain rules, to avoid disharmonie

 

this video from bird explains it quiete good

 

Bird TONGCHAI - Tieng Gun Tum Mai