During his short monkhood, Muay Thai fighter Buakaw Banchamek has been walking barefoot in orange saffron robes every morning to collect food donations from local Buddhists for his monastery in Chiang Mai province.
Banchamek Gym shared photos with fans of Buakaw practicing the alms ceremony, also known as dak bat in Thai. The ancient tradition allows Buddhists to make merit and bring good karma to themselves by offering food to the monks and helping to sustain the monastic community.
Buakaw, 35, was ordained at Pasi Charoen Temple in Bangkok on Oct. 19. He has been given the monastic name of “Phra Thira Wiriyo,” which means “one with true perseverance.”
After the ordination, Buakaw went to stay at Baan Pao Temple in Chiang Mai before moving to Aranya Wiwek Temple yesterday, where he will stay until Oct. 27 — the last day of his monkhood.
It is traditional for Thai Buddhist men to become a monk for a symbolic period of time in their life. This was Buakaw’s second ordination. He intends to remain in the monkhood for nine days as a dedication to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who was known as King Rama IX.
These photos were taken by the athlete’s communications team at Banchamek Gym on Oct. 22, with a side note that they did not disturb Buakaw’s routine as a monk.
