Bun Khao Sak at Wat Ban Hua Nong

The Bun Khao Sak tradition, or Bun Duean Sip (Tenth-Month Merit-Making), of Ban Hua Nong villagers, Nong Sam Khwae District, is an important merit-making tradition of Northeastern Thai people following the Hit Sip Song (twelve-month customs and traditions), held on the full moon of the tenth lunar month (the 15th day of the waxing moon of the tenth month) every year. It is held to dedicate merit to ancestors, deceased relatives, and pretas (hungry ghosts).

Details and Important Rituals
Making Salak (Khao Sak): The names of merit-makers and those to whom merit is dedicated are written on paper (salak) to offer as alms to monks.

Wrapping Khao Sak: Villagers prepare rice packets wrapped in pairs of banana leaves. The first packet contains betel nut, betel leaves, and cigarettes. The second packet contains savory and sweet foods, sticky rice, fish, chicken, and various fruits, a little of each.

Merit-making at the temple: The Khao Sak packets are offered to monks, and some are placed around the temple grounds, under trees, or at chedis to dedicate to pretas and deceased relatives.

Distributing portions to the fields: After the monks have given their blessing and poured water, villagers take some rice packets to place in their fields, to inform and feed "Ta Haek" (the field butterfly or sacred being that guards the rice fields) for auspiciousness.