Luk Nimit and Bai Sema

The sacred area surrounding a Bot or Ubosoth at a Thai temple(Wat)is marked out with Bai Sema(ใบเสมา) markers, each maker contains a Luk Nimit (ลูกนิมิต) stone. There are usually eight Bai Sema markers at the cardinal points of the Bot and each contains one Luk Nimit stone. There are actually nine stones used but the ninth is placed under the main Buddha image within the Bot. The stones are shaped like cannon balls and the one placed in the Bot is slightly larger than those outside.

It an extremely rare sight to see both markers and stones together since in most temples the Bot has been consecrated for use as an ordination hall for Buddhist monks and the stones are hidden in the marker posts.

This photograph was taken at Wat Dan Singkhon which has just had a Bot built and it is not yet consecrated. The ceremony should be happening soon because I recently attended a Chofah ceremony to fit the final Chofah to the roof of the ordination hall.

The stones are already coated in gold leaf and each is resting next to its marker on a saffron robe.

There is a separate Buddhist ceremony to install the Luk Nimit in the Bai Sema markers which I hope to be able to attend.