You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Thai Tradition' category.
I wrote a post on Is Tattoo Just A Body Art or A Cultural Sacred Design and this has been my most popular post as many people are interested in tattoo. There are 2 main reasons as to why people decide to get tattoo, as for some, they only see tattoo as a body art, the canvas is on the human body, a very fascinating concept to me. I don’t have a tattoo, but I do see the beauty in tattoos and this type of tattoo is more popular amongst women and very popular in Japan from what I have came across.
Tattoo Bride Photo by Nahpan
Uploaded by Jose M. Ruiz Garrido, actress Angelina Jolie attends the premiere of “Ocean’s Thirteen”; at the Grauman’s Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California June 5, 2007. The tattoos on Jolie’s arm represent the coordinates of the birth places of her children.
This video of Thai spiritual tattoo, also known as Sak Yant by Ajahn Noo Kanpai is very interesting, I’ve seen the actual temple tattoo on a friend, which I think it’s fascinating because it’s not your ordinary tattoo; the design has a religious feel to it.
Ajarn Noo does 2 types of tattoos, and both are cultural sacred designs. The first is at the very beginning of the video where the designs of the tattoo is invisible, but the main purpose is to gain wisdom, possess power of kindness as he uses a special ointment of varnt (special roots from plants), the process of Sak Yant is exactly the same as using black ink, in this case a very sacred design.
Another is the sacred design that deemed to possess magic power of protection; he puts Monh (magic) of prayers inside the design, which I believed was written in Pali, Sanskrit. Thai Temple tattoo of Sak Yant (photo on right hand side,) which is geometrically designs that deemed to possess magic powers of protection is very popular amongst Asian warriors, such as the Thais, Laotians, and Khmers in the old days and still very popular today.
There are other designs such as the lion (Singhto), which is a symbol of bravery and cunning. Thai men would choose a tiger design, not just a picture of a tiger but tattoo their body to look like tiger, many have had designs that covered every square inches of their body. The reason for the tiger design is that Thai people, especially the Lanna, believed that their ancestors were once tiger, therefore to show respect and in remembrance of their ancestors, they’d choose the tiger design. Another popular one is the hanuman, which is the Hindu monkey god, which is to protect against illness, against being shot, against being cut, and to give courage.
In part of the video where the men have strange reaction, it is believed that the sacred designs that were tattooed (Sak) into their body, whether it be the tiger, dragon, or hanuman would come out and they’d act like the animal that they chose, and this is a sign that that person truly gained the power of protection. Sak Yant is very fascinating to me; to the Thais, Laotians, Khmers, and many others, tattoo is not just a body art but also a sacred design.
A photo below, a young monk has a tattoo of prayers added to his back at Wat Bang Pra, Thailand; photo by Stephen Shaver
I wrote a post on Different Types Of Prays And Rituals To The Ghost back in March 2007, when I was having a lot of problems posting my post, especially the posts on ghost story. Crazy as this may sound, I had to pray to the ghost spirits asking for permission before translating and writing each post, and even went to the extreme of thinking about performing a spirit dance as I recalled whilst living in Thailand that people would dance naked for the ghost, Issan people would dance and sing for the ghost, and the Thai southerners would perform a Nora Rong Khru Chao Ban Ritual, which Nora is a performance tradition of dance, drama, and ritual for the ghost. But luckily, I didn’t have to do any of that because the root of the problem was a glitch in the software and the WordPress technician was able to fix my problems.
Dancing to the Spirits is a ritual that people would perform to satisfy the ghost if their wishes were granted. At first glance this dance might appear simple and very easy to perform but don’t be deceived because you actually have to know the moves such as hands and fingers gestures, as the rhythm of Thai tradition music is not something that you can just move your body around anyway you want.
Below are videos of spirit dance and there is an actually profession in Thailand, where a professional dancer would perform a dance ritual for the spirits, assuming that you had asked the ghost for something and your wishes were granted, and instead of performing the dance yourself, you’d hire one of these professional dancers to dance for you. Of course, if you learn the moves, you might be able to perform the dance ritual to the spirits yourself. What kind of wish would people ask from the ghost you might wonder, I believed the number one wish is to win the lottery.
- Thai Spirit Dance
I wrote a story of Loi Krathong Festival of the time when I was little growing up in Thailand; this is mainly from my view on things as a kid. There is more to the story than what was told, and I came upon the story whilst reading Buddhism for Young students by Ven. Dr. C. Phangcham, which explains in depth of what the two events are, and both the Lao and Thais celebrate Kathin and Loy Krathong Festivals.
Photo by Frans.Vanderlee, Royal Kathin Ceremony
As for Kathin, when Buddhism was first established, the number of monks and nuns was relatively small. Originally, monks did not stay at any one particular place. Most of the time, they moved around the country in their mission to spread the teachings of the Buddha for the happiness and welfare of the entire population.
During the rainy season, when the country experienced heavy and frequent rainfalls, things were quite difficult for them and their travels were often impeded or interrupted. In this season, the farmers also cultivated their land and grew crops.
The Buddha allowed his disciples to remain stationed in a specific place temporarily and to stop wandering during this time. It was called VASSA or Rains Retreat. It begins on the 15th day of the Waxing Moon of the 8th Lunar Month and ends on the 1st Lunar Month (approximately July through October.) All Buddhist monks and fully ordained nuns in all parts of the world have to observe the Rains Retreat during this period, thought in certain countries the custom has been modified.
In the Countries of Southeast Asia, where Buddhist monks and nuns live, after three months of Retreat observance, people have a very grand festival of offering food to the monks in various monasteries. At the same time, they prepare special yellow robes, which are offered to the Sangha. This special yellow robe offering is called the Kathin Offering Ceremony. It can be done only during the period from the end of the Retreat to the first day of the Waning Moon of the 12th Lunar Month.
Photo by Hartfried Schmid, Loy Krathong
Then there is Loy Krathong, at the end of the Kathin Festival season, when the rivers and canals are full of water, the Loy Krathong Festival takes place in all parts of Thailand and Laos on the full moon night of the Twelfth Lunar Month. The people who want to participate in this festival bring their bowls (Krathong) made of leaves (which contain flowers,) candles and incense sticks, as well as some food and coins to the appointed places.
Everyone lights candles and incense sticks in his or her Krathong and then makes a wish and floats the Krathong gently on the surface of the rivers, streams, ponds, or canals. The traditional practice of Loy Krathong was meant to worship and pay homage to the Holy Footprint of the Buddha on the beach of the NAMADA River in India. It was originally a Brahmanical rite whereby Hindus gave thanks to the Mother (goddess) of the Ganges River, which is their source of life and vigor in their country.
It is said that in Thai literature of the Sukhothai period, Nang Nophamas, a virtuous lady in the court of King Ruang, was skilled in the art of making beautiful Krathongs for the occasion. The season of Loy Krathong is important not only for its religious aspect, but also for development of artistic crafts and social bonding. It offers a good opportunity for people from different areas and for boys and girls to meet one another. These festivals have been observed from the Sukhothai period to the present time.
When I saw a photo of this man on Thairath news, 9/4/07, a 39 year old man who was wearing over 1000 amulets of Jatukarm Ramathep lucky charm at the ceremony of the making of the new edition, this is what they called a number one fan, but I’m sure he is not the only one, the majority of Thai citizens are head over heals for these amulets.
Since I wrote a post on “Laser Art of the Jatukarm Ramathep Lucky Charm,” I do have to say that this has been one of my top ten posts since July 2007 and it has been very consistent. I posted a history on “The Legend of Jatukarm Ramathep” and hoping that it gave you some idea as to who this famous Jatukarm Ramathep talisman.
Not too long ago, my dad received a Buddha statue from a local temple where he keeps on his Buddha Mantle, I remember that he didn’t use the term purchase, more like ‘Bu Sar’ or donation, and in return received a Buddha statue as a gift.
Formerly in Thailand, Buddhist amulets were not traded, but were gifts offered by monks to the donors, and meditation masters to their disciples. It’s not as that anymore, when did this all changed. It was the crisis of the Indochina War between Thailand and France in 1941 that gave birth to the amulet market, as many soldiers and volunteer recruits sought the power of protection and invulnerability in battle. After the war, the demand for amulets (boosted by stories of their miraculous powers of protection) persisted and even extended to include all kinds of portable sacred objects. Over the past 50 years, the market has grown hand-in-hand with capitalism in Thailand. [1]
The Jatukarm Ramathep is, however, a special case as it is not directly related to the sacred Triple Gems. From its very name, it is a pair of twin gods, the guardians of the Phra Dhaat(u) of Nagor Sri Dharma Raj, the largest and most sacred pagoda of Nakhon Si Thammarat province in southern Thailand. The first generation of the amulet of this god(s) was produced for the first time three decades ago. But for some unknown reason, the twin gods were caste in the shape of one god with a demonic appearance. It was not a god in Buddhism, but rather a demon with many arms surrounded by eight other demons or Rahu (Asura).
I once wrote a post on “Laser Art of the Jatukarm Ramathep Lucky Charm”, and now I want to write about “The Jatukarm Ramathep Lucky Charm Fever,” but first let me give you a little history of the legend, and who is Jatukarm Ramathep?
There are many legends about the origins of Jatukham Rammathep, the name used to identify a certain kind of amulet, but it is generally agreed that it goes way back in the mists of time, long before the northern kingdoms emerged.
Perhaps the most credible account is provided by late crime-buster Phantharak Rajjadej, who helped to create the famous amulets, as described in an almanac authored by Seawrite Award winner Jamlong Fangchollajit, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the history of it is set.
Jatukham Rammathep is two people, not one. The names are the aliases of brother princes Inthara Sairen and Inthara Khao Kheo, sons of King Jantharaphanu, who ruled the Sri Thammasoke realm, the capital of the Krung Srivijaya Kingdom (757-1257) in southern Thailand, after his father who founded it.
Continued from Part I
This is a translated article from Koosang Koosom Magazine, written by Dek Doi Hongk 5 written in Thai Language, translated by Ginger.
Some days I would go to the farm with my parents to help out. I came from a family of farmers, and we raised fruit crops, such as mangoes, maakhram (tamarine), papaya, lynchee, lumyai (longan fruit), chumpoh (java apple), and the latest that my dad is planting are citrus trees which my dad has some help from his older brother.
My mom grew mostly vegetables, she organically grew hers, so she had many people that would come directly to our farm to buy and her prices are very reasonable, cheap you might even say. We never had to buy fruit or vegetables.
This is a translated article from Koosang Koosom Magazine, written by Dek Doi Hongk 5 written in Thai Language, translated by Ginger.
I live in Mae Fah Luang of Mueang Chiang Rai, Thailand. I’m one of the hill tribes’ people. Our village is very small; we live on high land that is approximately 60 kilometers from Chiang Rai.
As for our village, my grandfather was one of the founders, during that time, they escaped the war from Laos, shortly after that people started to migrate and joined the village. Currently, there are about 200 families living in our village, we are Pow Yout, or also known as Mien.
Continued from Part II
This is a translated article from Koosang Koosom Magazine, written by Manop Keosanith written in Thai Language, translated by Ginger.
I’ve mentioned in part I that Goumonthong (golden boy or baby ghost) was a powerful being, and the most well known one was from the Thai legend of ‘Koun Changh Koun Panh’
….as the story goes, after Koun Panh (aka, Prie Keo) and Nang Boukrey, the daughter of Mernharn, became husband and wife, and shortly after that, she became pregnant. One day, Mernharn got upset with Koun Panh, his son in-law; therefore plotted to kill him by letting Nang Boukrey to put poison substance in his food. Luckily that Koun Panh has Hoong Pri (ghost spirit), and it warned him that his wife was trying to poison him, and not for him to eat her food, therefore saved his life. This outraged Koun Panh, he then seek revenged by plotting to kill his wife for her baby so he could make it into Goumonthong (golden boy or ghost baby.)
Before killing her, he had to ask his wife for her baby; this’s according to the instruction and guideline of how to make Goumonthong that the Goumon (dead baby) has to be given by both parents. Since Koun Panh was the father, all he needed was for the mother to give him her baby. So he asked her everyday for her baby. She thought it was rather strange because he was the father, why would he need to ask her for his own baby.
This is a translated article from Koosang Koosom Magazine, written by Manop Keosanith written in Thai Language, translated by Ginger.
Those were the good old days, having faith or believing in Lok Grok (Lok Lort in Lao) was very common, but it’s rare in this day and age, but still exists. If you’re interested in seeing one, it’d be very difficult to find, not like back then where it’d be in many homes in the village. Today, you might even find yourself looking at animal Lok Grok, such as dog or cat that aren’t as powerful as human, but at least it’s still Lok Grok, I think by having one, you have nothing to lose.
Information provided about Lok Grok came from the central region of Thailand, whist Professor Prakhong Nimmanmirn has recorded in the year 2542 (1999) that,
“Lok Grok is an item that is being used by means of black magic, it’s made out of full term human baby, fully developed, but is extremely small in size (neonatal baby), and is deceased after birth and often times, both mother and baby died during the birthing process, this is what it’s called Lok Grok.
The mother or owner would then take this Lok Grok and sprinkle it with Ka Minh power (drying agent) that is golden yellowish in color to preserve the Lok Grok and it’s part of a drying process. This Lok Grok is then placed in a sacred location, whist the owner can worship and it’s believed that Lok Grok will bring them luck and prosperity. If by chance, there’s any bad omen or luck drawn near, then Lok Grok will tell or warn the owner in advance.”
This is a translated article from Koosang Koosom Magazine, written by Manop Keosanith written in Thai Language, translated by Ginger.
Goumonthong, or baby ghost spirit has been around for centuries, it is known as a sacred spiritual being and a valuable asset for those that own one, and can be greatly beneficial to the owner. It is one of the baby ghosts that has special power; the most well known one was from the Thai legend of ‘Koun Changh Koun Panh’ that Goumonthong was one of the most powerful items that Koun Panh own, beside his sword and grayish horse.
Truth is, there is another type of baby ghost that is well known in Thai (Lao) as Goumonthong, and that is Lok Grok (Lok Lort in Lao language.) I’m going to take this opportunity to explain about Lok Grok before talking about Goumonthong, that way it’d be easier to understand the story.
Back in the olden days, Thai (Lao) people believe, which you might call it having faith in something, and that is Lok Grok. Lok Grok is actually a stillborn baby, very small in size and it seems that not all the organs are fully formed. Thai (Lao) people believe that whom ever take this stillborn baby, and care for by means of black magic in the spiritual form, then Lok Grok will help them in many ways, such as helping to protect the owner and will warn him if dangers were near, and would also bring many fortunes in various ways.
I found an interesting story about Pee Bpop (ghost that has the tendency to take over a person’s body before eating it’s victim) and I’m hoping to translate it but I want to learn a bit more about the ghost. When I was little living in Laos, we were told to run for cover whenever Pee Bpop was closed by, but what I saw was either an old man or old lady passing by, I guess they were the Pee Bpop. I have a friend that I thought might know a thing or two about Pee Bpop, so I visited him over the weekend, just my luck that I went to the right person, not that he was a Pee Bpop or anything like that, if that was the case, it’d not have been safe for me to stay there at all since I’m still sick, Pee Bpop has the tendency to take over a sick (weak) person’s body. What was interesting was the story of how and why people became Pee Bpop back in Laos, and Issan region of Thailand. I’ve always wondered if Pee Bpop really exists or if it’s mostly a belief of Lao and Issan people, until this day I still don’t have an answer. I do find the story to be fascinating, so I’ll be translating a story of Pee Bpop of Savannakhet, Laos in the next couple of days, should be interesting.
My friend said that in Laos, those that became Pee Bpop were the one that studied Monh (black magic), many times, these Monh (magic) should be used to help people, and certainly not for greed; if misused or abused in any way, the black magic can backfire, and take control of their body and become Pee Bpop; Monh (black magic) is certainly not something that people should be messing around with.
What I’ve found fascinating is the temple tattoo because it’s not your ordinary tattoo; the design has a religious feel to it. I’ve noticed that many Lao and Thai men, especially the older men would have these tattoos on their body. He explained to me that these tattoos have Monh (magic) of prayers in the design, therefore there’re strict rules that must be followed or otherwise he said that the chance of becoming Pee Bpop or crazy is highly likely, very strange concept I thought to myself, I guess if voodoo exists, then this should also, I’d say, if you don’t believe, don’t mock.
My friend also has one on his back, which looks very much like a Thai Temple tattoo of Sak Yant, which are geometrically designs that deemed to possess magic powers of protection, which was given by a monk or Arjarn (holy man) and would put Monh (magic) of prayers inside the design, which was written in Pali Sanskrit. He said that when he had his done, the pain was excruciating, it started by the holy man chanting in ancient Sanskrit while sticking him with the sharp needles, and then with the final blow of breath on his back then it was done, and I guess the blow sealed the magic. He was a former soldier in Laos, therefore needed the tattoo for protection, and said that most of his fellow soldiers also had theirs’, some on their backs and others on their arms or legs. When he came to the US, he had Arjarn (holy man) to undo the Monh (magic), so his tattoo currently has no magical power.
(Above photo: A young monk has a tattoo of prayers added to his back at Wat Bang Phra, Thailand; photo by Stephen Shaver)
Translator : Aketawan Manowongsa
Bang Fai Phaya Nark (Naga fireballs) is a phenomenon that the mysterious fireballs raise from the Mekong River into the air above water surface. The fireballs are smoke-less, smell-less, and sound-less. They rise 20-30 meters straight up to the air then disappear without falling back to the earth as the normal fireballs do. Their sizes vary from a thumb-size to an egg-size. The amounts of the fireballs also vary, starting from around 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 or 9.00 p.m. The locations for spotting the fireball phenomenon in the Mekong River are the area of Phon Phisai, Pak Khad, Sung Kom, Sri Chiang Mai, and Bung Kan districts in Nong Khai province. The fireballs can also be found in other locations such as ponds and streams near Mekong River.
The fireball event is an unexplained phenomenon that generally takes place on the full moon night of the 11th lunar month, which also coincides with the end of the Buddhist Lent. If there are two 8th months in a particular year, the phenomenon will take place on the first waning moon night of the 11th month, which coincides with Lao’s Buddhist Lent. (Panida 2538 B.E.:77)
Beliefs and the Legend - Mekong River: Thai people in the northeast, especially in the provinces on Mekong riverbank, have believed for generations that Mekong River was the route of the Naga named ‘Pu Chao Sri Sutho’ who crawled around the mountains, differently from the other Nagas who crawled straight through the mountains. The route therefore became such winding and was called Lum Nam Kod (winding river), which then became slightly out of tone to Lum Nam Kong or ‘Kong river’ (Special Report 2544 B.E.: inside cover).
The Legend of Bang Fai Phaya Nark: When the Lord Buddha was in his Bodhisatta Phaya Kan Kark incarnation, he incarnated in Sida’s belly. When he grew up and practices his pray, Lord Indra made him a very good-looking person and also gave Udorn Kurutaweeb to be his wife. The couple regularly studied Dhama and gave sermon to all kinds of beings.
Every time when I see a full moon, especially on the 12th month of the year (12th Luna month, sometimes fall on November), I can’t help but to think of Loi Krathong Festival in Thailand. I was only a kid then, but some of my childhood memories were so vivid that always bring a smile to my face. I used to live in Khampang Phet, Northern part of Thailand and Loi Krathong Festival was a big deal for our family.
Loi Krathong is a traditional Thai way of life, it is widely believed that these are offerings made to Mae Khongkha (mother of waters) either to please her in an expression of gratitude for providing life-sustaining water throughout the year, and to ask her for forgiveness for man’s carelessness in polluting the water that nourishes all life. Many also believe that by setting adrift the krathong, one symbolically casts away one’s grief, misery, and ill fortunes. Coins are also placed in the krathong as offerings. For the romantic at heart and young couples, Loi Krathong is the time to make wishes for happiness together and success in love.
Recent Comments