Phuket’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.
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 middleman, 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.
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 consecration 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 consumption 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 position 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.
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. After by Niu Sew (ceremonial umbrella “Traditional
Chinese”) in front of 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. 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.
PURPOSES OF BECOMING A VEGETARIAN AND TAKING UP VOWS REFUGE
-Jia Shai- Consuming foods that consist of vegetables
(except for pungent kinds such as garlic, onions, coriander and
flowering garlic chives)-Song Geng- Praying and taking refuge
-Jae Sian- remaining in a state of peace and calm
10 RULES FOR THE VEGETARIAN FESTIVAL
1.
Cleanliness of bodies during the festival
2. Clean kitchen utensils and to use do
not join the festival3. Wear white during the festival
4. Behave physically and mentally
5. No meat eating
6. Abstain from sex
7. No alcoholic drinks
8. People at mourning period should no attend the festival
9. Pregnant ladies should not watch any ritual
10. Ladies with period should not attend the ritual
Thank you : Information From : Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket Office
