What Do You Need to Pour Water Over Buddha Statues at Home? Check Steps and Apology Chants to Receive Luck This Songkran 2026

This Songkran 2026, the "Buddha water-pouring ritual at home" is an important tradition that brings blessings to the household and family members.

Thairath Online has compiled the correct steps for the Buddha water-pouring ritual, from preparing fragrant items and the proper way to invite the Buddha statue, to complete apology chants, so you can start the Thai New Year smoothly and peacefully.

Preparing for the Buddha water-pouring ritual at home: What do you need?

Before starting the water-pouring ritual, it is important to prepare all necessary items to show respect and devotion. The items to prepare include:

1. A bowl of clean water: to be used for pouring.
2. Fragrant items: traditional Thai scented water, perfume water, or flowers with pleasant scents and beautiful colors such as jasmine, champaca, or rose.
3. Clean cloth: for wiping and cleaning.
4. Buddha statue, altar table, or tray: to temporarily place the Buddha statue.

Proper steps for performing the Buddha water-pouring ritual at home.

Pouring water over the Buddha is not simply about sprinkling water on the statue; there is a proper sequence to follow for appropriateness, as follows.

• Inviting the Buddha statue: Before inviting the statue from the altar table, say an apology chant to prevent any mistakes that might occur during the move.
• Cleaning: Use a clean cloth dampened with water to gently wipe off dust from the statue before starting the water pouring.
• Preparing the water for pouring: Mix clean water with Thai scented water and sprinkle the prepared flowers.

Additionally, there are prohibitions to be aware of during Songkran; breaking these may bring inauspiciousness."Songkran prohibitions": Things not to do and remedies to ensure a prosperous Thai New Year all year round.

Apology chant and Buddha water-pouring prayers for 2026.

While performing the invitation or water-pouring, focus your mind and recite the following chants.

Apology chant (before inviting the Buddha statue):

"Ratanattaye pamathena thwarattayena katang sappang aparathang khamatu no bhante"

(For the three bodily acts, four verbal acts, and three mental acts that I have carelessly committed against the Triple Gem, I ask the Triple Gem to forgive me.)

Water-pouring prayer (while pouring water on the statue):

"Imina sinjaneneva roho soko upathavo sappaso antarayo cha nassantu sappata sothi bhavantu me"

(By pouring water over this Buddha statue, may all suffering, sorrow, disease, danger, and harm be destroyed, and may happiness and safety be with me always.)

Performing the Buddha water-pouring ritual at home during Songkran 2026 not only preserves a beautiful tradition but also serves as a practice to purify the mind. Proper preparation and correct procedures help practitioners feel at ease and bring blessings to themselves and their families throughout the year.