Life for a dek wat or temple boy in the countryside is very interesting. Early in the morning, before daybreak, he must prepare the alms bowl and a food carrier for the monks. Then, when the monks are ready for alms-collecting in the village, he will have to carry food for the monks. Everyday he will follow the monks who go for alms-collecting 2-3 kilometres away from the temple. Many times he has to run for safety when he encounters fierce dogs.
Usually alms-collecting will be divided into several routes especially in a temple where there are a large number of monks and novices. On some routes, only one boy is enough to assist monks while some routes may need two or more temple boys. This depends on the quantity of food offered by lay people. Usually most Buddhists prefer to make merit on Buddhist holy days (wan phra) or other religious days or their birthday. Thus, on these occasions food and other necessity items will be offered to monks and novices in large quantity.
Upon returning to the temple, the temple boys will prepare food for monks and novices immediately. After the monks have finished their meal, the temple boys will keep some food for their second meal which must be eaten before midday. Then temple boys will eat the left-overs as it is considered to be a sin for lay people to eat before monks or novies. After midday, food is not allowed except liquids such as water, soft drink or pasterurised milk etc.
A temple boy will undertake work similar to that of a housemaid, but he will not get paid by the monk. On the contrary, his duty is done in exchange for merit, free food and accommodation. The life of a temple boy is not easy as it seems, especially in a village temple where the nearby villagers are mainly poor farmers. Food is offered to monks and novices in a rather limited quantity. As a result, it is quite common for little food to be left for the temple boys.
People may ask why many boys (girls are not allowed) become temple boys. This is because their parents are mostly poor farmers who find it better to send their sons to stay with monks in the temple where they can get free food and accommodation and by way of doing work for monks and novices they will also get merit in return. However, in some cases the boys are from well-to-do families, but their parents want them to stay in a temple which usually has a school in its compound. At the same time, if they stay with the monks, they will become good boys ,as monks usually give them moral instruction and train the, to be disciplined and be good Buddhists.
This is an extract from 'Essays on Thailand' by Thanapol Chadchaidee
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