phuket vegetarian festival 52

Phuket Vegetarian FestivalPhuket’s Vegetarian festival

(or jia chai in local Hokkien Chinese

dialect) began in 1825, when the

governor of Thalang, Praya Jerm,

moved the island’s principal town

from Ta Reua in Thalang District to

Get-Hoe in Kathu District, where

were tin mines and Chinese miners.

Kathu was then still covered by

jungle and fever was rife. It happened

that a traveling opera company

(called ngiu in Thai or pua-hee in

Hokkien dialect) came from China to

perform for the miners.

When the whole company

grew sick from an unnamed malady,

they kept to a vegetarian diet to honor

two of the emperor gods, Kiew Ong

Tai Teh and Yok Ong Sone Teh. The

sickness afflicting the opera troupe

then disappeared. This greatly

interested the people of Kathu, who

asked how it was done. The answer

came that ritual vegetarianism with

its attendant ceremonies had been

the cause, with the result that people

embraced the faith enthusiastically.

Thus the festival began: starting the

first evening of the ninth lunar month,

it continued until the ninth evening;

the aim was to bring good luck to

individuals as well as to the

community.

It later happened that one

familiar with the festival volunteered

to return to Kansai, in China, where

he invited the sacred Hiao Ho-le or

Hiao lan (incense smoke) and Lian

Tui (name plaques), which have the

status of gods, to come stay in Kathu.

He also brought holy writings used

in the ceremonies, returning to

Phuket on the seventh night of the

ninth month. The people, upon

hearing of his arrival, went in

procession to Bang Niao Pier to bring

him and his sacred cargo back.

This was the origin of the

processions that figure so greatly in

the festival.

Photo by

Yongyut Chankol2

1. Cleanliness of bodies during thefestival

2. Clean kitchen utensils and to usethem seperately from other whodo not join the festival

3. Wear white during the festival4. Behave physically and mentally5. No meat eating

6. Abstain from sex7. No alcoholic drinks8. People at mourning period should

not attend the festival9. Pragnant ladies should not watch

any ritual10. Ladies with period should

not attend the ritual

10 RULES FOR THE VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL

The afternoon before the

festival begins, a great pole at each

temple is raised, called the Go Teng

pole, with which the gods are invited

to descend. At midnight the pole is

hung with nine lanterns, signalizing

the opening of the fest. Two

important gods are also invited

down at midnight to preside over

ceremonies; these are Yok Ong

Hong Tae and Kiew Ong Tai Tae.

Aside from this, there are

other ceremonies throughout the

fest, notably: invocation of the gods

Lam Tao, who keeps track of the

living, and Pak Tao, who keeps track

of the dead; processions of the gods’

images; and feats of the Ma Song-

like bathing in hot oil, bladed ladder

climbing and fire-walking. The

festival ends with merit making

ceremonies at each temple (sadoh

kroh) and the send-off of the gods

on the last night (when fireworks are

at their most impressive). Ma Song,

or entranced horses, are devotees

whom the gods enter during the fest.

They manifest supernatural powers

and perform self-tortures in order to

shift evil from individuals onto

themselves, and to bring the

community good luck. Ma Song fall

into two categories: those who,

having had an intimation of

impending doom, want to extend

their lives; and people specially

chosen by the gods for their moral

qualities.

Throughout the festival

fireworks and drums are sounded,

especially during ceremonies. It is

held that the louder they are the

better, because the noise drives

away evil spirits.

Participants in the fest keep

to a strict vegetarian diet for a

varying number of days, usually no

less than three. This they do to make

themselves strong in mind and body;

they refrain from all vice, eating

animal flesh, and killing animals. The

festival thus promotes good hygiene,

brightness and inner peace.

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The Rituals of the Vegetarian Festival(or the Nine Emperor Gods Festival)

The Invitation Ritual or the Tall

Lantern Pole Raising Ritual

The ritual takes place in the

afternoon and evening of the day

preceding those nine days - namely on

the last day of the eighth lunar month of

the Chinese calendar to invite the Jade

Emperor (Yok Ong Tai Te) and the Nine

Emperor Gods (Kiu Ong Tai Te).

The demarcation and consecra-

tion of the shrine’s compound are

conducted by the principal medium

after the Yok Ong has descended from

the heaven. In anticipation of the

festival, devotees begin to wear white

garments, eat vegetarian food(che) and

abstinence from the 5 Buddhist Precepts

a few days prior to the opening ritual in

order to achieve the body purification.

In religious terms, it is considered as an

act of contrition or expurgation for the

sins incurred by the killing and consump-

tion of animals in the course of the past

year. It is also a test of one’s power of

endurance, self-discipline and penance.

The Ritual of Food- Offering

to Heavenly Warriors

The ritual, performs

in the early afternoon, pays

respect to the spirits of

warriors and their horses,

many of the rank - and - file

spirit mediums participating

in this festival are possessed

by these spirits, who are

believed to entertain a posi-

tion in the celestial hierarchy

beneath the gods, but above the ghosts.

Vegetarian food, tea and rice liquor are

prepared for the spirit warriors and grass

is for horses.

The Incantation

The incantation of Taoist North

Star Canon (Pak Tao Keng) takes place

2 times a day after the Invitation Ritual

of the Jade Emperor (Yok Ong Tai Te) to

the shrines - morning and evening

incantations. The prayer leader (Huat

Kua) reads the names of contributors

(Thark Sor) to the festival in front of the

Nine Emperor Gods in every evening

only.

The Propitiation of the Seven Stars

The ritual takes place on the fifth

day of the festival to propitiate the Big

Dipper or Seven Stars (Chit Chaen). The

Big Dipper has 2 invisible and 7 visible

stars. The mediums distribute auspicious

charms (Hu) to devotees in order to

repel evil spirits.

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The Street Procession

This is the most spectacular

event of the Vegetarian Festival or the

Nine Emperor Gods Festival., which

became iconic of the festival as a whole.

The processions offer an opportunity

for the householders and the general

public along the streets to receive the

blessings of the gods possessing the

spirit mediums. The inhabitants set up

altar in front of their houses, decorated

with Chinese embroideries table apron

(Tok Ui), placing on them lit candles and

incense sticks , flowers, fruit, sweets and

tea.

The processions are usually

preceded by a vehicle of the shrine

association followed by school children

carrying banner with the name of the

shrine, flags and banners “with the gods’

or goddesses’ names in Chinese

characters”. These are followed by

several Chinese percussion bands of

floats or motorcycles. Sedan chairs

(Tai Pian) with the gods’ are carried in

the center of the processions with

position orderly in the celestial hierarchy,

such as “Sin” as the lowest rank,“Guan

Soi”, “Tai Te and “Hoot”. The carrying of

the Nine Emperor Gods (Kiu Ong)

incense urn is considered a great honor

and it is carried by the priest’s assistant

(Lor Chu) or censer-master, and tightly

held under the Kiu Ong’s ceremonial

umbrella. The explosion of firecrackers

over the palanquin (Tua Lian) of the Nine

Emperor Gods reaches a climax

The Fire-Walking Ritual

The Fire-Walking Ritual takes

place on the sixth day of the festival.

“Fire overcomes impurity and repels evil

influence. As men purify themselves

with fire, they expiate transgressions

and thus overcome yin”. In fire- walking,

it is believed that only those that are

cleansed will be void from being

seriously burns.

The Ceremonial Bridge-Crossing

Ritual (Koi Harn)

The ritual takes place on the

ninth day of the festival, just before the

Farewell Ritual that sends the gods back

to the heaven. The main idea of

devotees crossing the bridge is believed

to be cleansed from impurities and

misfortunes that may fall upon them.

Once crossing the bridge, a red stamp

of the Nine Emperor Gods’ seal (or

imperial seal) will be stamped at the back

of the devotees to signify that they are

purified from sins and calamities that

might happen to them.

The Farewell Ritual

The Vegetarian Festival or the

Nine Emperor Gods Festival culminates

in the farewell ritual for the Jade

Emperor and the Nine Emperor Gods on

the evening of the ninth and last day, and

comes to close with sending off the

Kiu Ong at midnight back to the heaven.

The ritual is divided into 2 parts

: the Jade Emperor is bade farewell at

the lantern pole in the shrines’ yards by

burning the paper palace for the Jade

emperor; then the Nine Emperors are

sent off at a body of water, mainly

conduct close to the sea - Saphan Hin

or river, with a huge heap of gold paper

and multi-colored “imperial” paper

costumes.

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October 17, 2009KATHU SHRINE

17.00 Lantern Pole Raising

24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods

Propitiation

JUI TUI SHRINE



Propitiation

BANG NEOW SHRINE

17.09 Warriors Propitiation & Lantern Pole

Raising

22.00 Jade Emperor Propitiation

23.00 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation at

Saphanhin

BAN THA RUE SHRINE



Propitiation

SUI BOON TONG SHRINE



Propitiation

LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE(SAMKONG)



Propitiation

CHERNG THALAY SHRINE



23.59 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation at

Surin Beach

YOK KE KENG SHRINE



24.00 Nine Emperor Gods Propitiation

SAPAM SHRINE



Propitiation

BANGKOO SHRINE



Propitiation

JANG ONG SHRINE



Propitiation

TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE

(BAN PASAK)


Raising


Propitiation

GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON)


Raising

23.00/24.00 Jade Emperor & Nine Emperor Gods

Propitiation

CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE



Propitiation

October 18, 2009(The first day of the festival)

KATHU SHRINE

05.00/18.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods

20.00 Random Selection to Find Servants to

Priests in the Next Vegetarian Festival

JUI TUI SHRINE

Worship and Propitiation of Gods

BAN THA RUE SHRINE


Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2009

6


20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods


15.00 Food Offering to Warriors

18.00 Worship of Gods

SAPAM SHRINE

17.45 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation at

Saphanhin

BANGKOO SHRINE



(BAN PASAK)






16.45 Inviting of Gods to indicate the

vegetarian territory






JUI TUI SHRINE

09.30 Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants

of the Vegetarian Festival.

BAN THA RUE SHRINE







YOK KE KENG SHRINE


BANGKOO SHRINE



(BAN PASAK)



GIM TSU ONG SHRINE

(BAN DON)




of the Vegetarian Festival




15.00 Warriors Propitiation



19.30 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation



JUI TUI SHRINE

15.09 Food Offering to Warriors and Inviting

of Gods to indicate the vegetarian

territory


BANG NEOW SHRINE


BAN THA RUE SHRINE





LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE

(SAMKONG)


20.00 Propitiation of Seven Stars



15.30 Blessing Bang Tao Village

19.00 Worship of Gods

7

YOK KE KENG SHRINE


20.00 Birth-Death Gods Propitiation at Koh

Sirey Beach

SAPAM SHRINE

07.00 Street Procession in Phuket Town


BANGKOO SHRINE



JANG ONG SHRINE




(BAN PASAK)














JUI TUI SHRINE

Worship of Gods

Spirit Propitiation of Past Participants


BANG NEOW SHRINE



BAN THA RUE SHRINE





LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG)






15.30 Blessing Manik Village and Cherng

Thalay Village

YOK KE KENG SHRINE


SAPAM SHRINE


BANGKOO SHRINE




JANG ONG SHRINE




(BAN PASAK)





20.00 Oil Bathing





20.45 Hot water Bathing

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07.00 Street Procession to Patong Beach




JUI TUI SHRINE

Worship and Propitiation of Gods

BANG NEOW SHRINE



BAN THA RUE SHRINE




24.00 Propitiation of Gods









YOK KE KENG SHRINE


SAPAM SHRINE

19.00 Street Procession in Sapam Village

BANGKOO SHRINE


JANG ONG SHRINE

06.30 Street Procession in Sapam Village



(BAN PASAK)

07.15 Street Procession in Pasak Village and

Ban Don Market







07.09 Street Procession in Wichit

Municipality Area







JUI TUI SHRINE




20.00 Fire Walking at Saphanhin Park

BANG NEOW SHRINE



BAN THA RUE SHRINE


20.00 Fire Walking




21.00 Fire Walking







07.30 Street Procession in Thalang District





YOK KE KENG SHRINE



20.00 Fire Walking

SAPAM SHRINE


21.00 Fire Walking

9

BANGKOO SHRINE




Ladder Climbing

JANG ONG SHRINE


20.00 Fire Walking


(BAN PASAK)




08.45 Street Procession in Maikhao Village














JUI TUI SHRINE



BANG NEOW SHRINE


20.00 Bladed-Ladder Climbing

BAN THA RUE SHRINE


20.45 Oil Bathing and Tying Childrenís Wrist













YOK KE KENG SHRINE


SAPAM SHRINE


Nailed Bridge Crossing

BANGKOO SHRINE



JANG ONG SHRINE


20.00 Bridge Crossing for Purification


(BAN PASAK)



20.30 Oil Bathing


07.30 Street Procession in Ban Don Village,

Ban Kian Village,Ban Sakoo Village,

Ban Naiyang Village, Airport,

Muang Mai Village)













JUI TUI SHRINE




10

BANG NEOW SHRINE


20.00 Fire Walking

BAN THA RUE SHRINE

18.30 Street Procession in Thalang District



24.00 Propitiation of Gods





20.00 Fire Walking



20.09 Fire Walking


YOK KE KENG SHRINE


BANGKOO SHRINE


20.30 Fire Walking

JANG ONG SHRINE




(BAN PASAK)



20.00 Fire Walking


20.00 Fire Walking





20.00 Worship and Propitiation of Gods for

Random Selection to Find Servants to


October 26, 2009(The last day of the festival)

KATHU SHRINE


15.00 Fire Walking




24.00 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods

Propitiation Farewell

JUI TUI SHRINE


23.09 Jade Emperor Farewell


Farewell at Saphanhin

BANG NEOW SHRINE





BAN THA RUE SHRINE



Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor Gods














Farewell




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Farewell at Surin Beach

YOK KE KENG SHRINE






Farewell

SAPAM SHRINE




BANGKOO SHRINE

15.00 Street Procession in Sapam and

Bangkoo Villages





JANG ONG SHRINE



Farewell


(BAN PASAK)




23.15 Jade Emperor Propitiation Farewell


Farewell






Propitiation Farewell at Naiyang Beach





22.00 Jade Emperor and Nine Emperor

Gods Propitiation Farewell


17.00 Lantern Pole Lowering

17.30 Warriors Farewell

JUI TUI SHRINE


BANG NEOW SHRINE



Warriors Farewell

BAN THA RUE SHRINE











YOK KE KENG SHRINE


SAPAM SHRINE



BANGKOO SHRINE


JANG ONG SHRINE



(BAN PASAK)









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October 20, 2009 SAPAM SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town

October 21, 2009 LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE (SAMKONG) From the Shrine to

Phuket Town

October 22, 2009 BAN THA RUE SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town

JANG ONG SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket Town

KATHU SHRINE From the Shrine to Patong Beach

TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE (BAN PASAK) From the Shrine

to Pasak Village and Ban Don Market

CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE Street Procession in

Wichit Municipality Area

October 23, 2009 BANG NEOW SHRINE In Phuket town

CHERNG THALAY SHRINE Street Procession in

Thalang town

GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) From the Shrine to

Maikhao Village

October 24, 2009 JUI TUI SHRINE In Phuket town

GIM TSU ONG SHRINE (BAN DON) In Ban Don Village -

Ban Kian Village - Ban Sakoo Village - Ban Naiyang Village

Airport - Muang Mai Village

October 25, 2009 KATHU SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket town

YOK KE KENG SHRINE From the Shrine to Phuket town

BAN THA RUE SHRINE From the Shrine to Thalang Town

October 26, 2009 SUI BOON TONG SHRINE In Phuket town

BANGKOO SHRINE From the Shrine to Sapam and

Bangkoo Villages

CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE In Phuket town

SCHRDULE FOR STREET PROCESSIONS

13

GIM TSU ONG SHRINE Tel. 08 1397 1951

TAE GUN TAI TAE SHRINE Tel. 08 4064 2639

CHERNG THALAY SHRINE Tel. 0 7632 5833

BAN THA RUE SHRINE Tel. 08 9866 1992

BANGKOO SHRINE Tel. 08 1893 2744

SAPAM SHRINE Tel. 08 1691 1786

KATHU SHRINE Tel. 0 7620 2245

YOK KE KENG SHRINE Tel. 08 9970 1214

LIM HU TAI SU SHRINE SAMKONG Tel. 0 7625 4124

JANG ONG SHRINE Tel. 0 7623 6553

SUM SAE SU HUD SHRINE Tel. 08 1091 4156

JUI TUI SHRINE Tel. 0 7621 3243

SUI BOON TONG SHRINE Tel. 0 7621 3862

Tel. 08 4064 2639

BANG NEOW SHRINE Tel. 0 7621 2982

CHOOR SU GONG NAKA SHRINE Tel. 08 7267 8282

Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)°‘È¡´◊ÕÕãÕß (∫â“π¥Õπ) ‚∑√. 08 1397 1951Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)‡μâ°ÿàπ‰μà‡μà (∫â“πªÉ“ —°) ‚∑√. 08 4064 2639Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)(‡™‘ß∑–‡≈) ‚∑√. 0 7632 5833Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)∑à“‡√◊Õ ‚∑√. 08 9866 1992Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)∫“ß§Ÿ ‚∑√. 08 1893 2744Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“) –ª” ‚∑√. 08 1691 1786Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)°–∑Ÿâ ‚∑√. 0 7620 2245Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)¬°‡§à‡°âß (´Õ¬æ–‡π’¬ß) ‚∑√. 08 9970 1214Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)À≈‘¡ŒŸ‰∑â´Ÿà ( “¡°Õß) ‚∑√. 0 7625 4124Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)‡®àßÕãÕß ‚∑√. 0 7623 6553Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)´”·´®ŸŒÿ¥ ‚∑√. 08 1091 4156Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)®ÿâ¬μÿà¬ ‚∑√. 0 7621 3243Õä“¡(»“≈‡®â“)´ÿà¬∫ÿàπμãÕß (À≈àÕ‚√ß) ‚∑√. 0 7621 3862

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14

Next Year October 8-16, 201015

‡ âπ∑“ß¢∫«π·Àà¢ÕßÕä“¡∫“ß‡Àπ’¬«(∫à“ß‡À≈’¬«μà“«∫Ÿâ‡°âß, ¡Ÿ≈π‘∏‘‡∑æ√“»’)«—π»ÿ°√å∑’Ë ÚÛ μÿ≈“§¡ ÚııÚ √–À«à“ß‡«≈“ ˜. - ÒÒ. π.Route for Street Procession of Bang Neow ShrineOctober 23, 2009 / Time 07.00 - 11.00 Hrs.

16

‡ âπ∑“ß¢∫«π·Àà¢ÕßÕä“¡®ÿâ¬μÿà¬ (®ÿâ¬μÿà¬‡μâ“‚∫â‡°âß)«—π‡ “√å∑’Ë ÚÙ μÿ≈“§¡ ÚııÚ√–À«à“ß‡«≈“ ˜. - ÒÒ. π.

Route for Street Procession of Jui Tui ShrineOctober 24, 2009 / Time 07.00 - 11.00 Hrs.

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‡ âπ∑“ß¢∫«π·Àà¢ÕßÀ≈à“¬∂Ÿàμà“«‚∫ä‡°äß (»“≈‡®â“°–∑Ÿâ)«—πÕ“∑‘μ¬å∑’Ë Úı μÿ≈“§¡ ÚııÚ√–À«à“ß‡«≈“ ˜. - ÒÒ. π.Route for Street Procession ofKathu ShrineOctober 25, 2009 /Time 07.00 - 11.00 Hrs.

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phuket vegetarian festival 52

Documents

people of kathu

kathu district

emperor gods

thestatus of gods

twoimportant gods

vegetarian diet

ma song fallinto

areother ceremonies