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Excerpt: ... words of Pali, which may be translated thus:- "Thou who art come out of the pure waters, be thy offences washed away! Be thou relieved from other births! Bear thou in thy bosom the brightness of this light which shall lead thee, even while it led the sublime Buddha, to Niphan, simultaneously and forever!" These rites ended, the priests were served with a princely banquet; and then the nobility and common individuals were also feasted. About midday, two standards, called baisêe, were setup within a circle of people. These are not unlike the sawekra chât, or royal umbrella, one of the five insignia of royalty in Siam. They are really about five cubits high, and also have from three to five canopies. The staff is fixed in a wooden pedestal. Each circle or canopy has a set bottom, and within the receptacle thus formed custom requires a little cooked rice, called k'ow k'wan, will be placed, as well as a few cakes, just a little sweet-scented oil, a small number of fragrant flour, plus some young cocoanuts and plantains. Other edibles of several types are brought and arranged about the baisêe, and a beautiful bouquet adorns the top of every of the umbrella-like canopies. Then a procession was formed, of princes, noblemen, and more, who marched across the standards nine times. As they went, seven golden candlesticks, with the candles lighted, were carried by princes, and transmitted from one to another; and as often as they came before the prince, who sat between your standards, they waved the light before him. This procession is but another form of the Om symbol. Afterwards the eldest priest or brahmin took some of the rice from the baisêe, and, sprinkling it with cocoanut water, gave the lad a spoonful than it. Then dipping his finger, first in the scented oil and then in the fragrant flour, he touched the right foot of the prince, at the same time exhorting him to be manly and strong, also to bear himself bravely in "the conflict of feeling." Now presents of silver and gold...
