THIS.

Envisioning a nationwide tree ordination ceremony.

With recent news about the intended destruction of 280 milion acres of national forests and public lands by the new government here in the states, I am wholly serious asking, “What can we do to protect the trees?”

Perhaps this?

“A tree ordination ceremony is performed in areas where people wishes to protect the flora against deforestation. In a classic tree ordination ceremony, the community first selects the phaya ton mai (พญาต้นไม้), the largest and most significant tree within the area, to receive the ordination. It is believed that the phaya ton mai functions as the leader of all other trees within the area. Some forests may only have one phaya ton mai, while other forests may have multiple. Offerings are made to the sprits of the forest, followed by the erection of a shrine for the spirit inhabiting the phaya ton mai and more offerings being made to Phra Mae Thoranee (Mother Earth). After this, a shaman will call upon the spirit of the phaya ton mai to remain and protect the phaya ton mai as well as the other trees of the forest. The shaman will also ask other spirits of the forest to punish those who harm the trees.

Once the shamanistic ritual is completed, monks will begin chanting to bless the phaya ton mai, forest spirits, and attendees. At the highlight of the ceremony, monks will wrap saffron-colored monastic robes around the tree, then proceed with more chanting. It is at this point the tree is considered “fully ordained”. This act mirrors the process of an actual ordination, where the ordained shed their personal clothing and put on monastic robes for the first time. The ceremony then concludes with monks sprinkling holy water around the ordained tree. Nowadays, however, the ceremony can be much simpler, with monks simply ordaining the trees by blessing and wrapping monastic robes around them.

Photo courtesy of the SCB Foundation

The ordained phaya ton mai will now be revered as a living monk. Those who harm an ordained tree are considered to have committed a great act of offense, equal to that of harming a living monk. Cutting down an ordained tree is considered to be equivalent to murdering a monk. Thus, potential loggers are deterred through the fear of accumulating grave bad karma. Other trees within the area of an ordained phaya ton mai are also under the phaya ton mai’s protection. Those who harm these lesser trees will be punished by forest spirits, leading to a variety of misfortunes. Through this creation of a sacred, inviolable space, the forest is allowed to thrive and grow without being harmed. Nowadays, any trees can be ordained, not only just phaya ton mai.”

Photo courtesy of Chiang Mai News

The full story here: https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/tree-ordination-preserving-nature-through-spiritual-connection/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI2in9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSmlHI9EfO7MBQplNu2Qoey7Nw3aCzLr0m7rc-39W8syMvvnWi-0ZOfJ_A_aem_h5SqFAhKA5uhC5ZB9-QNcA#:~:text=At%20the%20highlight%20of%20the,is%20considered%20%E2%80%9Cfully%20ordained%E2%80%9D

Photo credit Chiang Mai News and SCB Foundation

With love, light and awe (and some rage, I must confess),

Linda