When is wai khru

Even though each school holds Wai Kru Day in different months, one thing is consistent — Wai Kru Day is always held on a Thursday, as this is thought to be an auspicious day by Thai Buddhists. Wai Kru Day is the day of the year when Thai students show the most respect to their teachers by participating in a big school ceremony.

At this time, they thank their teachers for the knowledge they have given them, for the gift of learning, and also wish them good luck in the future school year and in their future lives.

On Wai Kru Day in Thailand, students come to school with flowers and gifts for their teachers. Many of them are also dressed in traditional Thai costumers. At many Thai schools, especially the government schools where the children are much poorer than at private Thai schools, the students make their own floral arrangements. They usually use traditional Thai flowers and plants, banana leaves and incense in the larger arrangements, all of which have different meanings for example, patience, respect and discipline.

Jivaka, the Buddha and ancestors to ask them for strength and courage, but also protection against evil spirits, bad influences, negative energies, and the like. In Thai Massage schools in Thailand, you would also see the teachers themselves doing the Wai Khru and other chants and prayers early in the morning just before the lessons start. They say thanks for the knowledge transferred to them by the Buddha, Jivaka, and their own teachers and lineage, and moreover, they ask for wisdom and strength to transfer that knowledge accurately to their own students and for the greater benefit of mankind.

The Wai Khru is also used as a moment of concentration for body and mind and, like a mantra prayer, a kind of magic formula according to Indian tradition , it may be dedicated to a particular person, friends, or to family members you want to wish happiness. The most common Wai Khru prayer or chant used by Thai Massage practitioners around the world is the one shown below. In any case, this one is said to originate in the Northern part of Thailand, in Chiang Mai, to be exact.

We pray to you, Shivago, you who led a saintly life. We pray that you bring us knowledge, and that you allow our prayers to bring us the true medicine of the universe. David US English. Mark US English. Daniel British. Libby British. Mia British.

Karen Australian. Hayley Australian. Natasha Australian. Veena Indian. Priya Indian. Neerja Indian. Zira US English. Oliver British. Wendy British. Fred US English.