Category Archives: Mystics

History of PeeJok Kumanthep: A Translation

July 27, 2018 น้ำแข็ง

History of Peejok Kumanthep

Peejok has been with Wat Suan Luang for a long time, approximately some 200 years. Wat Suan Luang is located near the Mekong River. In the past it can only be reached by boats. The river curves right in front of the temple and the water erodes the river bank. One day, a piece of wood was seen floating in front of the temple. A villager paddled his boat towards that piece of wood and noticed it resembled the image of a naked boy. Since then, that piece of wood has been located at Wat Suan Luang.

Since the time of Abbot Phraku Samut Viriyaporn or Luang Pu Perk, he had moved the carving of the naked boy next to the altar table in his room. Upon the passing over of Luang Pu Perk, the new abbot noticed the old kuthip has been damaged and has to be demolished. A new kuthip needed to be built. The ubosot project started by Luang Pu Perk was also incomplete. Furthermore, the temple also needed a bell tower. Other wear and tear also needed repairs. It was obvious that he needed money to carry out those renovations and repair works. But he did not have the money. One night the new abbot prayed then sat and meditated in front of the altar. It was almost midnight and in a vision, he saw a little boy 7-8 years of age who called out to him and said: “Luang Por, make images of me. I will help will help you rebuild this temple”. In the past, the temple has not made any images of PeeJok.

“Luang Por, make images of me. I will help you rebuild this temple.”

The new abbot decided to make PeeJok’s images. Firstly, Luang Por created 259 images. PeeJok told the new abbot that he did not need to invite any guru monks to help him consecrate those images and all he needed was to meditate. The new abbot mediated in front of those images for three months before he released that batch of images to raise funds. Quickly, those images were snatched up by devotees and the abbot had to come out with several other batches. Most of the money received from the sales was spent on building the temple. It was pleasant to learn that those who invited PeeJok have their wishes fulfilled be it business, luck, or career. Even the sacred temple hall that enshrines the Buddha statues to allow the Buddhist monks who pay homage there are all built from PeeJok’s money.

The name of PeeJok came from the vision of the new abbot.

“I am no longer a little boy. I am aged. Call me PeeJok.”

He could possibly be 200 years-old. Since PeeJok said he is aged, then let him be addressed as “Pee”.

The miracles of PeeJok may be categorised into wealth, sales, and career. First, it’s wealth. Some of the wealth received is wealth due to devotees whilst some are from the request made to PeeJok. The second is sales. Most business people ask PeeJok to help bring customers to their shops and help them sell more items. The third is most common, devotees asked for promotion and help when they meet obstacles in work. This is evident by the donations devotees made to the temple.

What is the best way to do Kumanthep? Kumanthep are usually made from a variety of materials and usually takes the forms of children. PeeJok Kumanthep also comes in a variety of forms. He is made as a baby figurine or a young boy. Whichever the form, PeeJok Kumanthep comes to help those who respect and truly believe in him.

Vongphong Eiamlao (Miss Maekong), researcher and writer

You can copy the text by entering the writer’s name.

To honour the writer.

Mystics

Kumanthong: Dispelling Superstitions and Falsehood

July 21, 2018 น้ำแข็ง

In our previous article “Kumanthong”, we tried to introduce a rational approach towards Thai Buddhism through dispelling misinformed falsehood, an over-emphasis on mysticism, and indulgence in superstitions. Coincidentally, on July 20, 2018, a conversation with a couple of Taiwanese customers prompted us to explore the subject matter in more depth. What prompted our decision is…perchance, our market ignorance. We had been in this trade for more than two decades but we have not heard that Kumanthongs have a big brother or a chieftain known as big brother Jook. Our bewilderment was probably ludicrous. We did some information search over the Internet and, as usual, there is an abundance of unverified information available. However, a search with the Thai language “พี่จุก” fortunately led us directly to the Website of Wat Suan Luang and an article titled “Prawat PeeJook Kumanthep Kaithip” written by Ms Vongphong Eiamlao pertaining to the origin of “PeeJook”. We have republished the said article with full credit to Ms Vongphong Eiamlao and Wat Suan Luang. The translation of “พี่จุก” into “大哥族” in Chinese has probably also resulted in misrepresentation. If anyone needs a literal translation, here is it. “พี่” is brother and “พี่จุก” is pacifier and, therefore, “พี่จุก” means brother “pacifier”. Anyway, we will provide an update in both English and Chinese versions soon. Nonetheless, in summary, the article neither support nor affirm any falsehood postulated by other writers. PeeJook is the name of the Kumanthep of Wat Suan Luang and not the “Big Brother” of “Chieftain” of Kumanthongs as speculated. The only correct information is that PeeJook appeared before Luang Phor Mai and offered to help raise fund for him to repair the temple. Other than that, PeeJook is like any other Kumantheps and helps to enhance believers’ luck, business, career and protection. Furthermore, it is specifically stated in the temple’s website that PeeJook is not a ghost or spirit and has to be honoured on the same altar table as “Guan Yim, Lord Ganesh, Rama V, Brahma or other gods” if an altar table already exists.

Many aspects of Thai Buddhism, especially those pertaining to the obscure, are an interesting subject which has left many people nonplus, bewildered and even paranoid. Kumanthong tops the list of mysticism in connection thereto. We are not going to sell you any “plaster” but to share with readers our conceptualization of the association between Thai Buddhism and the obscure. It is about the possibility of life associated with the law of karma, interplay of the two sciences where things begins from physical existence and impacts on continuation into the obscure and vice versa. Kumanthong exists within this wavelength.But it has to be reiterated at this instant that the existence of Kumanthong is equivalent to devas as mentioned in our earlier article and whose existence may be calculated according to the Lifespan of Celestial Devas. Unfortunately, the term “Kumanthong” has been used in the catastrophe of human rebirth to illustrate karmic retribution in many stories with Buddhist underpinnings, the cyclical process of pre-birth as a ghost to birth as human being and ultimately back as ghost again upon death. The cycle restarts with rebirth and repeats itself until one reaches nirvana that is enlightenment. In these stories, albeit the objective is usually novel, the delineation between Kumanthong and Pee Dek is unfortunately obliterated leading to terrible misinformation and the evolution of certain evil by-products. What is usually depicted in these stories stemming from abortion is a baby ghost (Pee Dek) and not Kumanthong (golden boy). If readers are observant, scriptwriters prefer a girl ghost to a boy ghost which they also call Kumanthong. Let us provide readers with a side-dish here. In Thai culture, there is a female counterpart of Kumanthong known as Kumarithong. This is something not known to many people, especially foreigners, and probably Kumari is not as popular as Kumanthong that scriptwriters gave her a pass. Moreover, what is missing in these occult stories is a ritual necessary to bring about a baby ghost that is controlled by a mantra. A baby ghost is not a natural consequent of abortion otherwise in this contemporary world we will have too many baby ghosts running amok! The preconditions of Pee Dek are, among other things, a fully developed fetus which died together with its mother that needs to be removed from its mother’s womb through black magic and its spirit summoned back into the fetus. So far, only the Story of Khunpaen has introduced these procedures to the audience.

Khunpaen: Legend of the Warlord

The process is complex and the product is naturally rare and expensive. Frankly, it is an offense in Thailand and, probably, in most other countries. If you think you can get a baby ghost for a couple of hundreds or thousands, we advise that you might as well buy yourself a Chucky collectible.There is more value for the amount spent.

Chucky Collectible

Despite these fallacies more and more ludicrous additions were subsequently added by scriptwriters. If you are aware, in these stories, karmic retribution usually set in within the next ten years and the baby ghost has grown up with time to be a little boy or girl. Probably, scriptwriters find a baby or even a toddler is incapable of inflicting much terror so the baby ghost needs to grow up. This line of story is picked up by people purportedly “selling” baby ghosts. This, however, in itself raises many questions and, among others, is a very intrinsic question that, assuming the truth of the said propagation, then would the baby ghost ultimately grows up to be an adult ghost, an old ghost, and a dying ghost? Funny, isn’t it? Or, no, it’s scary…to be shallowly fooled! These are all loopholes and adversities unforeseen by storytellers but still many people got duped.

Kumanthong in reality is neither about a ghost story nor a literary story as seen in the story of Khun Phaen. It is about the law of universe pivoting on the cycle of life which are depicted in these stories. This law of the universe is explained through Buddhist philosophy about Karma. It is perplexing to those who do not understand the concepts of Buddhism, especially Theravada Buddhism, and consequently deciphering surface value thereof inevitably leads to wrong understanding about Thai Buddhism and Kumanthong. This may sound hurting to the unlearned souls, but unfortunately, truth is never pleasant especially when it contradicts one’s make-belief. As a believer and practitioner of Thai Buddhism with a little academic foundation, allow me to posit that this world cannot exist on pure-science alone. Despite the advancement in both science and technology there is something lingering in the obscure which has not disappear with these advancements. Science can neither explain nor cover this subject matter. However, denial also does not serve any beneficial purpose save to conceal ignorance and dejection. Similarly, superstitions have no positive contribution both physically or spiritually. Moderate academics began toying with the theory of dual-existence which I view as an attempt to compliment spirituality whist simultaneously provides a gloss over science and nothing more. It still does not explain the scientifically obscure. In lieu of the dual-existence theory, I am more inclined to view the world as well as Thai Buddhism through the lens of dual-sciences, which is a co-existence of two sciences, pure science and mental science.

I do not deny the existence of mystique falling within the realm of obscurity which I classify as mental science but I reject superstitions which are primarily based on falsehood and ignorance. As a Thai Buddhist, you have to know a basic tenet of Thai Buddhism and that is “punna”, a Pali term which literally means wisdom. You may not be equipped with a library of knowledge but you must have, or at least cultivate, the ability to identify and reject falsehood. Stories may be entertaining but they must not be confused with facts and become a part of or a way of life. Take another example. The Buddhist tenet of rebirth states explicitly that all spirits shall return to the wheel of reincarnation after death and who then, within the Buddhist community, has the authority to disregard this tenet? A simple analysis like this will tell you that tampering with the spirits of deceased beings is un-Buddhist and cannot have any relation to Thai Buddhism. Therefore, do not let yourself be misled into a un-Buddhist way of life.

Mystics

พี่จุก กุมารเทพ กายทิพย์

July 21, 2018 น้ำแข็ง

พี่จุกอยู่คู่กับวันสวนหลวงมานาน นับเป็นร้อยๆปี สืบเนื่องมาว่า เมื่อประมาณ 200 ปีเศษที่ผ่านมา วัดสวนหลวง เป็นวัดที่ตั้งอยู่ติดกับแม่น้ำแม่กลอง การเดินทางสัญจรในสมัยก่อนจะสามารถเดินทางไปมาหาสู่กันได้โดยทางเรือ การมาวัดสวนหลวงก็เช่นเดียวกัน หน้าวัดสวนหลวงจะเป็นช่วงของโค้งน้ำของลำน้ำแม่กลอง ทางธรรมชาติแล้วกระแสน้ำที่ไหลมาถึงโค้งน้ำจะมีการกัดเซาะตลิ่งทำให้ตลิ่งพังทลาย และด้วยกันนี้ตลิ่งอีกฝั่งของแม่น้ำจะเกิดการรวมตัวกันของดินที่พังทลายมาจากอีกฝั่งจากกระแสน้ำวนบริเวณที่เป็นวิหารพี่จุกในปัจจุบัน จึงทำให้เกิดดินงอก กระแสน้ำนี้เองจึงทำให้ไม้แกะสลักรูปเด็กเปลือยกายผมจุก เนื้อไม้ทำจากไม้ตะเคียนสีดำมัน สูงประมาณ 3 ฟุต มือขวาหงายฝ่ามือ ส่วนมือซ้ายคว่ำฝ่ามือ มีสายประคำสังวาลย์ห้อยคอเพียงเส้นเดียว ลอยมาติดอยู่ที่หน้าวัด แม่ค้าขายของคนหนึ่งพายเรือผ่านมาหน้าวัดได้พบเห็นไม้แกะสลักดังกล่าว ลอยน้ำมาติดอยู่ที่หน้าวัด แม่ค้าคนดังกล่าวจึงอุ้มมาให้สมภารที่วัด จากวันนั้นมาไม้แกะสลักรูปเด็กผมจุกก็ได้ตั้งอยู่กลางศาลาของวัดสวนหลวง โดยมีการโยกย้ายไปมาหลายที่ กาลเวลา

ผ่านไป 200 ปีเศษ ในสมัยพระครูสมุทรวิริยาภรณ์หรือหลวงพ่อปึก เจ้าอาวาสในสมัยนั้น ได้ย้ายไม้แกะสลักรูปเด็กผมจุกขึ้นมาไว้บนกุฏิของหลวงพ่อปึก เนื่องจากศาลาหลังเก่าโดนรื้อถอนออกไป กุฏิหลังนี้ก็เป็นกุฏิเก่าแก่ อายุนับร้อยปี ซึ่งมีร่องรอยภาพเขียนโบราณบนเพดานกุฏิ ไม้แกะสลักรูปเด็กผมจุกคนในวัดสวนหลวงได้เรียกกันติดปากว่า เจ้าจุก หลังจากหลวงพ่อปึกได้มรณภาพลง หลวงพ่อใหม่ ได้ขึ้นมารับตำแหน่งเจ้าอาวาส ได้มีความคิดที่จะบุรณปฏิสังขรณ์วัดสวนหลวง ซึ่งชำรุดทรุดโทรมไปตามกาลเวลา และอุโบสถหลังใหม่ที่หลวงพ่อปึกดำริสร้างไว้แทนอุโบสถหลังเก่า ก็ยังสร้างไม่เสร็จ กุฏิพระก็ยังไม่มี(ในขณะนั้นพระจำวัดรวมกันที่หอฉัน) เมรุเผาศพก็ยังไม่มี หอระฆังก็ยังไม่มี หลวงพ่อใหม่เองได้แต่คิดโครงการเอาไว้เท่านั้นเพราะท่านเองยังมองไม่เห็นเลยว่าจะหาทุนทรัพย์มาจากไหน งบประมาณมหาศาล ลำพังตัวท่านเองคงจะไม่ไหวแน่ๆ หลวงพ่อใหม่ท่านเล่าว่า ในคืนหนึ่ง ท่านได้สวดมนต์อยู่หน้าโต๊ะหมู่บูชาบนกุฏิ เสร็จแล้วก็นั่งเจริญสมาธิ เป็นเวลาเกือบเที่ยงคืน ในนิมิตท่านได้ยินเสียงเด็กเรียก “หลวงพ่อ หลวงพ่อ” และได้ปรากฏร่างเป็นเด็กผู้ชายผมจุกอายุประมาณ 7-8 ขวบ ในนิมิตของท่าน และกล่าวกับหลวงพ่อใหม่อีกว่า “หลวงพ่อ สร้างรูปหนูขึ้นมาสิ หนูจะช่วยหลวงพ่อสร้างวัด” เป็นคำบอกกล่าวสั้นๆ ครั้งแรกหลวงพ่อใหม่ก็ยังไม่เชื่อเพราะว่าจะเอารูปเด็กแก้ผ้ามาให้คนบูชาก็ยังไงอยู่ หลวงพ่อก็ยังไม่ได้สร้างพี่จุกขึ้นมา หลังจากนั้น ในนิมิตยังมีเสียงเด็กมาบอกอยู่อีกหลายครั้ง หลายคราวว่า

“หลวงพ่อทำไมไม่ทำรูปหนูละ หนูจะช่วยหลวงพ่อสร้างวัด”

จนหลวงพ่อตัดสินใจสร้างขึ้นมา โดยสร้างครั้งแรกหลวงพ่อได้จัดสร้างจำนวน 259 องค์ ได้ทำการอธิษฐานจิตเดี่ยวโดยการสัญญากับพี่จุกว่าไม่ต้องนิมนต์ใครมาปลุกเสก ให้อธิฐานจิตเพียงคนเดียวก็พอในพรรษานั้นหลวงพ่อใหม่ได้อธิฐานจิตเดี่ยวเป็นเวลาสามเดือน ก่อนจะนำพี่จุกออกมาให้บูชา พอนำออบูชาเพียงไม่นานก็หมด เป็นสิ่งที่น่าเหลือเชื่อ หลังจากนั้น หลวงพ่อก็ได้จัดสร้างพี่จุก ออกมาอีกหลายรุ่น จนในปัจจุบัน วัดได้มีการบูรณปฏิสังขรณ์ จากวัดที่ใกล้จะร้างจนเป็นวัดที่เจริญขึ้นมาอีกครั้ง เงินที่ได้มาส่วนใหญ่ในการสร้างวัด ได้มาจากการแก้บนของผู้คนที่ได้บนบานสารกล่าวขอจากพี่จุกแล้วสำเร็จสมดังสิ่งที่หวังไว้ ไม่ว่าจะเป็นขอในเรื่องค้าขายก็ดี ขอในเรื่องโชคลาภก็ดี ขอในเรื่องหน้าที่การงานก็ดี แม้กระทั่งในเรื่องคู่ครอง ก็สำเร็จดังใจหวังทุกราย แม้กระทั่งวิหารศักดิ์สิทธิ์ที่ประดิษฐานพระพุทธรูป 4 ภาค และพี่จุกองค์จำลองที่ให้กราบไหว้นั้น ก็เป็นศรัทธาจากเงินแก้บนของ
พี่จุกนั่นเอง

เหตุที่ทำให้ต้องชื่อว่า พี่จุก นั้น มีอยู่ว่า ในนิมิตของหลวงพ่อใหม่ที่ได้ยินเสียงของเด็กชายดังกล่าว ได้เอ่ยออกมาว่า

“ฉันไม่ใช่หนูจุก ฉันอายุเยอะแล้ว ให้เรียกฉันว่าพี่จุก”

ซึ่งองค์จริงก็มีอายุกว่า 200 ปี จึงเป็นไปได้ว่าพี่จุกมีอายุเยอะ จนที่จะเรียกได้เกินกว่าคำว่า “พี่”

เรื่องปาฏิหาริย์ของ พี่จุก กุมารเทพ สามารถแบ่งออกได้ เป็นหลายแขนงด้วยกันเริ่มจากอย่างแรก ปาฏิหาริย์ทางด้านโชคลาภ ผู้ที่ได้โชคลาภจากพี่จุกมีเยอะแยะมากมาย บ้างก็เกิดจากการบนบานศาลกล่าว บ้างก็เกิดจากการขอกับพี่จุกตรงๆ บ้างก็ได้มาแบบลอยๆหรือที่เรียกว่าลาภลอย แบบที่สองจะเป็นทางด้านค้าขาย พ่อค้าแม่ขายส่วนใหญ่ จะขอพี่จุกให้ช่วยเรียกลูกค้าให้เข้ามาอุดหนุนสินค้าในร้าน บ้างก็ขอแบบระบุจำนวนยอดที่จะได้ บ้างก็บนขอให้ทำยอดให้ถึงที่หวัง แบบที่สามเป็นเรื่องทั่วไปเพราะว่าพี่จุกมีแต่ให้ ขอให้สอบได้ ขอให้ได้เลื่อนตำแหน่ง ขอให้ช่วยเหลือยามตกทุกข์ได้ยาก พี่จุกก็ให้สมดังหวังทุกอย่าง ดังจะเห็นได้จากถาวรวัตถุที่อยู่ในวัดสวนหลวง ก็ได้มาจากเงินที่ผู้มีจิตศรัทธาในองค์พี่จุกทั้งสิ้น

ที่เรียกเหตุพี่จุก กุมารเทพ เพราะว่า พี่จุกต่างจากกุมารทั่วๆไป ซึ่งกุมารทั่วไปส่วนใหญ่จะเป็นการพลีมาจากผงเถ้ากระดูกของมนุษย์แล้วบรรจุวิชาอาคมลงไปที่องค์กุมาร แต่พี่จุก กุมารเทพ เป็นร่างทิพย์ กายทิพย์ ที่สั่งสมบุญ บารมี โดยมาในรูปของไม้แกะสลักรูปเด็กผมจุก ดังนั้นกายทิพย์ของพี่จุกจึงมีมาได้หลากหลาย ไม่ว่าจะมาในร่างเด็ก มาในร่างหนุ่ม หรือมาในร่างของผู้สูงวัย ล้วนแล้ว พี่จุกมาเพื่อช่วยเหลือผู้ที่นับถือท่านและเชื่อว่าท่านมีจริง

วรพงษ์ เอี่ยมละออ (โก้ แม่กลอง) ผู้ค้นคว้าและเรียบเรียง

ท่านสามารถคัดลอกข้อความไปได้โดยการใส่ชื่อผู้เรียบเรียง
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Mystics

The Truth of Tattooing Talisman (ความจริงของการสักยันต์)

August 27, 2014 อาจารย์แดง

Sakyan or Just Modern Tattooing

Tattooing of talisman or “sak yan” originated from time immemorial and it entails special rituals of “wai kru” before it can be done. The tattooing of talisman is not mere tattooing. It is something magical and purposeful. Conventionally, the tattooing of magical talisman is performed by a handful of learned guru masters for only a selected number of their disciples mainly for strengthening of their mind and, exceptionally, for battling evil forces or as their successors. These talismans are usually representation of animism together with ancient inscriptions. Each design and form of talisman carries with it a different alchemy and it is the master who chooses the designs to be tattooed on the individual disciples and what type of mystical knowledge he will impart to the latter. Basically. the disciples do not enjoy the liberty of choice.

The Ritual of “Wai Kru” (ไหว้ครู)

The ritual of “wai kru” is a serious ceremony. It is also a grand ceremony whereby both Gods and human come together to witness the initiation process. In the presence of both the immortals and mortals, an individual begs to be accepted as a disciple and takes an oath to abide by certain rules and regulations, including the “dos and don’ts” of the specific lineage. Different masters may impose varying stipulations but those in common are as follow:

The recipient of magical tattoo will (1) observe the taboos imposed by the master; (2) adhere to canon laws; and (3) exercise self-restrain. There are also some universal taboos imposed by the various masters, amongst other things, (a) refrain from immoral practices; (b) refrain from being un-filial; (c) refrain from certain types of food, e.g. food offered in funeral; (d) refraining from walking under clothe hangers and bamboos; (e) refrain from allowing a woman to cross over the body and et cetera.

When the master agrees to accept the requestor as his disciple, he will instruct the latter to make offerings to Rheesi, the witnessing Gods and ancestors. Tributes in the process include (1) joss sticks; (2) candles; (3) flowers; (4) gold leaf foils; (5) betel nuts; (5) cigarettes; (6) liquor; (7) baisri; (8) coconut; (9) banana; (10) 7 types of fruits; (11) tea; (12) cooked and raw pig’s head; (13) cooked and raw duck; (14) cooked and raw chicken; (15) cooked and raw shrimps; (16) cooked and raw fish; (17) raw pork, heart and liver; (18) raw eggs; (19) pastries; (20) sesame seeds; and water.

Photograph extracted from http://upic.me

When this ritual of “wai kru” is completed, only then will the master tattoo for his disciple and impart to him the magical knowledge. It is important to understand that a talisman tattoo has to be in a certain position where it should be for it to produce magical effect. Tattooing a talisman in the wrong position of the body will bring about counter-effect and extreme bad luck.

The Modern Trend of “Sak Yan” (สักยันต์)

Up-to-now, the ancient tradition of “wai kru” is not and cannot be dispensed with if the “sak yan” process is to be meaningful and useful. However, many laypeople, both men and women, are having their bodies tattooed but few actually went through the process of “wai kru” least being taught the secrets of activating the power of those talismans tattooed.

People nowadays went on tattooing talisman for a variety of reasons, ranging from the desire of wealth and invincibility to melancholic craving for love and sexual attraction. They choose their own tattoo designs and where they want them to be tattooed. They have very little knowledge and understanding of the tradition of “sak yan” (although many pretended as if they know a lot!).

What Happened to the Power of Invincibility?

Photograph extracted from www.dailynews.co.th

Furthermore, most secular or individual who perform popular tattooing of talisman without due consideration for the traditions is not a real master. Such individuals are at best tattoo artists who allows clients to choose their own designs and where they want the talismans to be tattooed. Both the tattoo artist and clients are eager to build a reciprocal relationship without the onus of rituals of “wai kru” and the precepts flowing there-from. Therefore, at the end of the day, the tattoo artist gets paid for his work and his clients get the required symbol tattoo on the surface of their skin.

Although this revelation may be crude but take a look around you and analyze your observation critically. How many of those who had had their bodies inked with talisman through the modern process have prospered, gained social acceptance, charmed others, and are really invincible? Or has the ink appearing on their bodies, especially their necks, hands, and legs projected them negatively and impressing on the general public a subculture of hooliganism that is being frowned upon?

Does She Look More Attractive with Tattooed Talismans?

Photograph extracted from โพสท์จัง Webboard

Traditionally, talisman tattoos are supposed to help an individual avoid danger or difficult situation and bestow mental strength and stability but if it, on the contrary, causes one to slip into a subculture of tattoo superstition then the puzzle really needs to be reworked with a little more intelligence.

Mystics

Khun Paen Wat Bangkrang (ขุนแผนวัดบางกร่าง)

January 18, 2014 น้ำแข็ง

Phra Chao Khunpaen – the Current Hit with Believers

According to reports in Thailand, the hottest and highly sort after amulets now can be nothing but the Khun Paen amulets.

Khun Paen is amongst one of the most revered legendary warrior from Supanburi Province. He is depicted as a handsome and charming man who is not only skillful in the art of war but is also versed in magical practices.

Movies such as “Khun Paen – Legend of the Warlord” and “Khun Chang Khun Paen” were made and both have added to the popularity of the legendary hero.

Many temples also made amulets of Khun Paen. It is believed that, amongst other things, Khun Paen brings about attraction, charisma, gaming luck, prosperity and protection to believers. The official temple which houses the votive tablet of Khun Paen is Wat Bangkrang, Supanburi Province.

Therefore, the Khunpaen amulets that originated from Wat Bangkrang are the most expensive and sought after. It is said that those amulets are made from the soil from Khun Paen’s house which Khun Paen has set foot on. That gives those amulets special power. (The current relics of Khun Paen’s house in housed in Wat Palelai, Supanburi Province). Those amulets are limited and extremely precious. It is understood that some of these amulets command prices as high as few million bahts.

According to Luang Phor Suwithorn, the temple had released these old amulets at market prices to raise funds for conservation and refurbishment of the temple. His Venerable is appreciative to well-wishers who had donated huge sum of money to aid these projects. At the present moment, construction works are still ongoing at Wat Bangkrang.

Because of their collectible values, many replicas are introduced by merchants. They are widely available in the amulet market (Thatpachan) opposite Wat Mahathat and elsewhere from a few bahts to a few hundred bahts. Most of these replicas are also openly available through the Internet.

There are also other popular Khun Paen amulets made and consecrated by renown guru-monks including Luang Pu Tim of Wat Lanhanrai, Luang Pu Pae of Wat Pitkulthong, Luang Pu Pirn of Wat Bangplaad, Luang Phor Somjit of Wat Noi Nanghong, Luang Phor Chern of Wat Tayin and et cetera which range from a few hundred to a few thousand Singapore dollars.

There are, of course, a wide range of cheaper and more affordable Khun Paen amulets from various temples. Some of these Khun Paen amulets are even nonconventional and erotica. Most could be bought for less than fifty Singapore dollars.

Mystics

Kumanthong (กุมารทอง) – Knowing the Truth

January 18, 2014 น้ำแข็ง

Kumanthong is known to bring wealth and prosperity

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According to a currently prominent and popular Guru Monk Arjahn Jet (Phrakhru Sujittaporn) of Wat Noak, who is also versed in the skill of making and blessing Kumanthongs, people who honor and pray to Kumanthongs as if they were ghosts induce bad Karma as it is neither the teaching nor advocacy of the temples. It is the evil inner-self within a person that encouraged him or her to crave keeping a ghost that is thought to be capable of fulfilling whims that is not catered for under Buddhism. According to another Guru Monk Luang Phor Ruay (Phrakhru Sangkarak Phra Wichet) of Wat Kau Phrachuntheap, Kumanthongs made and blessed in a temple are referred to as Kumantheap whereby “juvenile” deities would peregrinate the images to bless and protect believers. Although these young deities may establish closer contact with humans and make their presence felt, they are nevertheless not ghosts or pee. Therefore, the classification or coining of Kumanthongs as ghosts reveals a pathetically high level of ignorance or malice and believers should avoid being drawn into such falsehood and

“Listen, think, and digest before believing. The bottom line is still Buddha’s teaching,” says Master Tan. “Any form of advocacy contrary to the Great Lord’s teaching cannot form part of a Buddhist practice least to be a Buddhist culture.”

In our next updates we will bring you about the transformation and/or innovation of religions in our contemporary society. Is it Good or Bad or simply No Choice? So stay with us and find out more!

Kumanthong – Knowing the Truth

“…people who honor and pray to Kumanthongs as if they were ghosts induce bad Karma as it is neither the teaching nor advocacy of the temples,” says Phrakhru Sujittaporn of Wat Noak

Wonders Evolving from Thai Buddhism

Thai Buddhism is known for its aptitude in creating sacred and holy items capable of bringing wealth, prosperity, charisma, avoiding danger and evil, and more than often, Guru Monks are able to perform such miracles that their spiritual powers are directly felt by believers honoring images and/or wearing amulets blessed by them. This inevitably leads to much folklore and stories of which are more than often cooked-up by parties with a vested interest. Take Luang Phor Tae of Wat Sangam for example; he is known for the making and blessing of Kumanthongs to the extent that even decades after his reaching Nirvana he is still revered as the Grandmaster of the said field. Many tales flowed therefrom and many were eventually tainted with untruths of which surprisingly, found favor and gained roots with the less learned believers.

Fallacies of the story about Luang Phor Tae and the Making of Kumanthongs

One interesting tales concerning Luang Phor Tae and his unique skills in the making and blessing of Kumanthongs is that it was alleged that the revered master would collect soil from seven different cemeteries and mould it into figurines of young boys whereby he would then chant and invite the spirits into those figurines to help believers in gaining wealth and prosperity. These figurines are called Kumanthongs and are individually named. It was further alleged that honoring Kumanthongs blessed by Luang Phor Tae, the believers would have to treat them as their own children by providing for their meals and in return these Kumanthongs will guard the believers’ houses, punish intruders, and bring wealth and prosperity. However, if the believers for any reason forgot to make offerings, they will usurp the harmony of the house and create such obstacles for the believers.

Identifying and Uncovering the Untruths

Analyzing the story closely would allow you to identify such fallacies that run contrary to Buddhism as a whole of which Luang Phor Tae serves honorably. Firstly, utilizing soil from seven cemeteries has no significance in Thai Buddhism but rather it exhibits certain relationships towards Chinese ghost movies in lieu. Secondly, manipulating the spirit of the deceased is contrary to the basic principles of reincarnation of which is intrinsic to Buddhism. Thirdly, any sacred elements blessed by Guru Monks observing 227 precepts is meant to help believers and would not do harm to people. And last but not least, such stories only set roots in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hongkong but not in Thailand whereby any such act is viewed as un-Buddhist and therefore strongly deplored and abhorred.

The Thai Sangha Council defrocked a novice named Nen Ae or Harn Raksajlit in 1995 for roasting the corpse of a baby and paving way for his arrest and incarceration. More recently, the Royal Thai Police has arrested and charged several foreigners for the possession of human remains. These actions from both the Thai Sangha Council and the Royal Thai Police are self-explanatory of Thai value with regards such the handling of infant human remains.

Why is it that many people are speculating and even advocating such misconception and falsehood? This is a topic that calls for more in-depth analysis in which we will cover in our upcoming article on “Religions Transformation and Innovation”.

Amulets and Statues