© 2023 Dr Margaret Sheppard

Pirit (protective prayers) for New House

This is usually held when a family move into their new house. An all night pirit is held when either “pirit” men or monks will chant holy Buddhist texts all night in a specially constructed pirit structure within the new house. Family members, friends and neighbours attend to listen to this and to be served with usually an elaborate meal and throughout the night, refreshments. The next day it is common to invite the monks for lunch. They are served first, everyone helping to serve them as this gives merit. The monks then preach and pray and  bless the household. After their departure the rest of the guests are served and a party may well follow the following evening.

The following sections illustrate the different stages of a pirit celebrating the opening of a new house and small hotel business in 2009.