Blood Moon Eclipse on August 28 2007

On August 28 at 5:52 pm Singapore / Hong Kong time (09:52:22 UT), a total lunar eclipse will occur when the Sun, Earth and Moon align.

This is a rare occurrence as the Moon usually passes above
or below the imaginary line connecting Earth and the Sun.

During the eclipse, also known as the Blood Moon eclipse, the full Moon will take on a dark red colour as it will be illuminated slightly by sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere. The moon will be in its deepest red for about 30-45 minutes.

This is the first central total eclipse since 2000.

Note: Thank you Stephen who make the effort to email me the document for me to place on my blog. Thank you very much.

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Garuda

The National Emblem (National Symbol) of Thailand features the Garuda ,a figure from both Buddhist and Hindu mythology. In Thailand, this figure is used as a symbol of the royal family. This version of the figure is referred to as Krut Pha, meaning "garuda with outstretched wings."

A large and savage mythological bird, mount of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is the king of birds and half-brother, and arch-enemy of the nagas and snakes. He is depicted with a human body and the wings, feet and beak of a bird, and in art often in battle with a snake or naga. In Thailand he is also called Krut and is the nation's royal symbol, showing the connection between the Thai monarch as the protector of the nation, and the mighty god Vishnu as the protector of the universe.

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PRAH NARAI

Finally after all the research and help from some contacts from a thai forum, i managed to confirmed that the name of this statue is PRAH NARAI and not Prah Isuan which someone told me. We have this particular statue in our reading room, somehow I think I want to know more about it. And research shown as follow:

• 
  PRAH NARAI aka Vishnu standing on his vahana, the Garuda.
  
• Vishnu is always to be depicted holding the four attributes associated with him, being:

A concj shell or Shankhya, named "Panchajanya", held by the upper left hand, which represents creativity. The Panchajanya is the originator of the five elements or Panchabhoota - water, fire, air, earth and sky or space. The sound that evolves from blowing this conch is the primeval sound of creation.

Ananta Shesha as Brahma emerges from a lotus risen from Vishnu's navel

The chakra , a sharp-spinning discus-like weapon, named " Sudarshana" , held by the upper right hand, which symbolizes the mind. The name Sudarshana is derived from two words - Su, which means good, and Darshan, which means vision. The chakra as a weapon thus indicates the necessity of destroying one's ego and illusory self-existence and developing the vision to identify the eternal truth. The discus has six spokes and symbolizes a lotus with six petals , thus representing the power that controls all six season .

A mace or Gada, named" Kaumodaki", held by the lower left hand, which represents individual existence. It symbolizes the primeval force from which all mental and physical strength is derived.

A lotus flower or Padma, held by the lower right hand, which represents liberation or dispersion. It symbolizes the power from which the universe emerges. It represents the concentration of truth or Satya, the originator of the rules of conduct or Dharma, and knowledge or Gyana in a single symbol.

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The 3 Buddha

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นางกวัก or "NANG KWAK"

NANG KWAK is a spirit supposed to bring money in the household. Its statue represents a woman in Thai traditional clothes, sitting on her knees with the right hand up and the hand making the gesture to bring money to her-self. Thai people like to have this statue in their home or their shop.

According to the legend, the real name of Nang Kwak was Supawadee. She was the daughter of Sujitbrahma, her father and Sumontha, her mother. She was born in merchant family in Matshikasun City. When she was young, she was blessed to bring wealth to her family by one of her masters. Since then her family was gradually wealthier and wealthier. Later, many people respected her. After she passed away, people cast her statue to worship and ask for their wealth. Nang Kwak is believed to be helpful for shop-owners. Her statues usually are found near cash registers in most Thai restaurants. A small glass of water is often found in front of her statue as an offering. Some people even wear her small statue pendant as
they believe that Nang Kwak brings money luck to them.

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僧伽羅佛像 Phra Phuttha Sihing

Subduing Mara, Calling the Earth to WitnessThe left hand lies in the lap, palm upward. The right hand bends over the right knee, with fingers slightly touching the ground. During meditation, Siddhartha is subjected to many temptations many posed by the evil Mara, who bombards him with his demons , monsters, violent storms and his three seductive daughters. The Buddha remains steadfast. Then to testify to Mara of his meritorious past, he points to the earth with his hand and calls the Earth Goddess. Thorani, the Earth Goddess rises from the ground and wrings the water from her long black hair, by this action raising a torrential flood that drowns Mara and his army of demons. This gesture symbolizes enlightenment, as well as steadfastness (imperturbability).

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Thai~~Animal Per day system

Found some interesting info from the web. As far as most of us were aware, Chinese have a system of 12 horoscopes sign for the year and they are: Rat , Cow , Tiger , Rabbit , Dragon , Snake , Horse , Goat , Monkey , Rooster , Dog , Pig.

The system in Thai as we know sat prajam wan (สัตว์ประจำวัน)
'Animal per day' in which each day of the week corresponds with a certain mythological or real animal, that is, the Garuda for Sunday, the tiger for Monday, a lion or horse for Tuesday, an elephant for Wednesday, that is a tusked elephant before noon and a tuskless elephant for the afternoon or evening, a rat for Thursday, a Guinea pig for Friday and a serpent or snake for Saturday. The choice of animals is derived from the mounts of seven important gods, who in turn are associated with celestial bodies laid out in the dao prajam wan system. Animals assigned to the days of the week vary in the different Southeast Asian countries, and may as well differ locally.

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Phra Siwalih (พระสิวลี)

Name of a venerated monk. He is the son of princess Suppawasah, daughter of the king of Kohliya. From early on in her pregnancy, when he was still in his mother's womb, Siwalih already caused a lot of good fortune to his mother, due her adoration for him. According to legend he stayed in his mothers womb for seven years and she was in labour pains for seven days, but immediately after his birth she started to work again as usual. Later, Siwalih ordained as a monk with Sariputta. On the day of his ordination, as soon as he got his hair cut off, with the very first cut of the razorblade, he attained Enlightenment, as a result of his merit. And from the moment he had his head completely shaved, he became an Arahan. He perfected his luck factor, caused a lot of gain amongst his fellow monks and received praise from the Enlightened One, who said he was a champion in bringing luck. It is therefore since long believed that anyone who worships Phra Siwalih or a relic of him, will receive peace in the form of happiness and good luck. Phra Siwalih is usually portrayed as a travelling monk, walking with a klot (the closed umbrella on his shoulder), a staff and a yahm
shoulder bag.

His is well known as an Arahan monk lives in Buddha's period that always has good luck and wealth, he's NEVER been sick in his life.

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Ganesha ~~ 象神

象神 Ganesha or Ganesh 他是福德之神，也是知識智慧之神(Lord of Wisdom)，在眾多印度神祇當中，受歡迎的程度相當高 Ganesha是象頭人身，他是印度三大神之一(Hindu Trinity)的破壞神濕婆神(Shiva)和雪山女神帕瓦蒂(Parvati)的大兒子。

他的出生故事相當有趣，是印度神話中非常著名的一段。一日，一向遁世而居的Shiva又離家數日，深入雪山冥想修行，妻子Parvati一向渴望溫暖的家庭，於是就自行使用法力，將身上的灰垢變成一個小男孩。喜為人母的Parvati就令小男孩為她守護山洞口，讓她好好休憩一番。返家的Shiva完全不知自己多了個兒子，就與忠誠守護洞口、抵死不讓Shiva進入山洞的小男孩起了衝突，Shiva一怒之下就把小孩的頭給砍了。接下來，為了安撫傷心欲絕的太太，Shiva把路過的第一個生物，也就是一頭大象的頭給砍了下來，安置在男孩的身體上，於是就成了象頭人身的大象神Ganesha。

Ganesha有Parvati女神給的身體，Shiva安置的象頭，於是堪稱為陰陽和諧的完美呈現.Ganesha也是福德之神，也就是我們的財神，想生財的都要拜拜他。Ganesh在神話中是女神的守護者，在此也代表著福德之神，去除不好的障礙。

据知，象头神一共有卅二大化身，时而3头，4头，时而4手，6手，8手，多手，时而青肤、红肤、黄肤、黑肤。他造型的特别点是断了右旁的弯象牙，有时那半截象牙握在其中一只手上。半截的折牙象征着，世上不会有完好理想的命运，凡要达到成功，知识或智慧，都要作出牺牲。象头神在天界是大门的守者，所以他经常坐在四瓣莲花所化的檀城上，他管理了记忆及知识所能到的范围，以监督记忆，原因，影响力，推动力，爱及隔离感六种，所以在鼻上绑了一个铃子，以作为警惕。

象头神的神诞是在印度AVANI月（阳历八至九月间）月圆之日。

Ganesha — the elephant-deity riding a mouse — has become one of the commonest mnemonics for anything associated with Hinduism. This not only suggests the importance of Ganesha, but also shows how popular and pervasive this deity is in the minds of the masses.
The Lord of SuccessThe son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth. In fact, Ganesha is one of the five prime Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Durga being the other four) whose idolatry is glorified as the panchayatana puja.
Ganesha's head symbolizes the Atman or the soul, which is the ultimate supreme reality of human existence, and his human body signifies Maya or the earthly existence of human beings. The elephant head denotes wisdom and its trunk represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality. In his upper right hand Ganesha holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesha's left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties.
The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing the Mahabharata. The rosary in his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous. The laddoo (sweet) he holds in his trunk indicates that one must discover the sweetness of the Atman. His fan-like ears convey that he is all ears to our petition. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms. And he is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures, a mouse.
Ganesha, the Destroyer of PrideGanesha is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. He is the personification of material universe in all its various magnificent manifestations.

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Luang Poo Yiam

生于２３７５年１１月５日，在曼坤天地区。９岁因家贫而寄居在越朗寺。后来对佛学产生了兴趣而出家为小沙弥，拜阿僧洛大师为师，勤修佛学与各种救世法门。１１岁那年被大力推荐前往当时仅有的佛教大学越波完佛寺进修佛理。１９岁那年因为家计，暂时还俗，协助父母进行种植与农耕等生活。　尽管如此，他每天一大清早还是步行到越朗佛寺，随高僧诵读经文，从未间断的与师傅联络。　在佛历２３９７年时，他重新出家，为了学习更深一层的佛法，他决定从他的出家地［越朗］佛寺开始，做为他苦行生涯的起点，先由北上一直步行到清迈，清莱与缅甸等著名佛教胜地，后来又继续南下游遍了泰南各府的山区佛寺，并得到了南北大山区长者的教诲与真传。佛历２４４０年由于他对佛理有深奥的理解而受到第五世皇赏识，而于佛历２４４１年封为皇室之护法，并安排他与当时极负盛名的顺德拍不他占多大师，龙甫乐大师和阿曾甘潘大师，一起在宫中研究佛理与经文。　大师为人乐观，从不言别人之闲话，他有句名言［少说话多做事，是为公德］。　大师最擅长督造遮面招财佛，俗称“比打”。龙甫炎在世传法多年，年迈是定居于“越朗”佛寺。在佛历２４６９年在寺里的禅寺“坐化”西归，享年９４岁。在完寂几天，一交代好自己的生后事，并劝弟子不要太过伤心，万事以法轮为重。

Luang Poo Yiam Wat Nang, Bangkok passed away at the age of 94, on 29th April BE2469.Luang Poo Yiam or Jow Koon Dtow is a very famous monk in Thailand, especially to those who like to collect his Kreung Rahng(magical items) and rian amulets. uang Poo Yiam's rians are the top amulet in the series of BenJaPahKeeRian; the Great Five Rians. Luang Poo Yiam was a monk who has observed the precepts of a monk strictly. He has never accepted material things given to him by the lay people, except those which were meant to build Wat Nang. Many people respected Luang Poo Yiam, and his metta travelled both far and near, such that many people would bring their children to be ordained under Luang Poo Yiam. The 5th King was one who respected Luang Poo Yiam very much and treated Luang Poo Yiam as his teacher. Luang Poo Yiam has ever taught the 5th King a special kathah for Metta MahaNiyom (Loving-Kindness), and the 5th King would always use this kathah where ever he go. This kathah is called Kathah ItTiPiSoh Rian Dteui:

It Ti Pi Soh We Se Se It It Se Se

Put Tat Nah Me It It Me Nah

Put Tat Dta Soh It It Soh Dta

Ta Put Dti It"

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The Buddhist Flag

The Buddhist Flag is a symbol of faith and peace used throughout the world to represent the Buddhist faith. The six colours; Blue (nila), Yellow (pita), Red (lohita), White (odata), Scarlet (manjestha), and the mixture of these six colours (prabaswara) of the flag represent the colours of the aura that emanated from the body of the Buddha when He attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

The Horizontal Stripes represent the races of the world living in harmony and the Vertical Stripes represent eternal world peace. The colours symbolize the perfection of Buddhahood and the Dharma.

• The Blue light that radiated from the Buddha’s hair symbolises the spirit of Universal Compassion for all beings.
  
• The Yellow light that radiated from the Buddha’s epidermis symbolises the Middle Way which avoids all extremes and brings balance and liberation.
  The Red light that radiated from the Buddha’s flesh symbolises the Blessings that the practice of the Buddha’s Teaching brings.
  
• The White light that radiated from the Buddha’s bones and teeth symbolises the Purity of the Buddha’s Teaching and the Liberation it brings.
  
• The Orange light that radiated from the Buddha’s palms, heels and lips symbolises the unshakable Wisdom of the Buddha’s Teaching.
  
• The Combination Colour symbolises the universality of the Truth of the Buddha’s Teaching.
  

Therefore, the overall flag represents that regardless of race, nationality, division or colour, all sentient beings possess the potential of Buddhahood.

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Reusi

reusi (ฤาษี) Thai
'Hermit' or 'recluse'. A sage or wise character in the Ramakien and other Thai folk tales, who has the capability to exhibit special magical powers. He usually lives in a cave as an ascetic or hermit and is depicted with a white beard and wearing tiger fur. He is at times related to the Hindu god Vishnu being portrayed with multiple arms and heads and holding similar attributes and as reusi nah seua , having the body of a man and the head of a tiger thus referring to Vishnu's fourth avatara Narasingha.

Sanskrit
Hindu sage, ascetic, hermit or recluse, usually living in the Himalayas . In Hinduism generally a holy person who received the revelation of the Vedic hymns and often depicted as seated wearing a beard and a headdress made of bark.

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Yak~~Half God / Fearful Monster

"YAK" are sometimes fearful monsters or half-gods
Fearful Yak inside a garden showing a Buddhist hell. The god Yama (พระยม) is supervising the hells.
When a Yak is very angry, his face is becoming green with revulsive red eyes.



Huge statues of giants called "YAK" (ยักษ์) stand in front of temples. They intend to frighten the spirits and protect the Buddha statues from the spirits. The most famous "YAK" in Thailand are located in the Royal temple "WAT PHRA KAEW" (วัดพระแก้ว) in Bangkok. This temple contains the famous Emerald Buddha statue made of jade. It is said that the jade is coming from a mountain where "YAK" are supposed to have been living long ago. It is a rare case where the "YAK" are facing the temple inner.

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善伽财佛

• 双手抱肚,面带笑容. 功能为保钱财不漏,家庭和睦,富贵吉祥.

• 双手平直招财手式;能招财进宝,使财源广进,接受福德,财运亨通.
  

善伽财佛显神通,自毁容貌,证明慈心的伟大,身材肥胖,貌若痴呆,人闲心不闲,四处传法,人缘极佳,公德无量.

An Arahan Monk lives in Buddha's period. His body looks chubby because he don't want to be disturb by woman, so he use magic to transform into an ugly chubby guy.

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Phra Rahu

"PHRA RAHU" is the mythical god of darkness.

Rahu is said to swallow from time to time his two brothers, the moon and the sun, and throw them out again. It is the popular explanation for eclipses.


In year 1997, Wat Srisa Thong in Nakhon Pathom took part in a ceremony seeking blessings from Rahu, god of darkness. The ceremony was important to Rahu followers because of the total lunar eclipse. Followers believe the eclipse was caused by Rahu's shadow over the full moon. Wat Srisa Thong is most popular with Rahu followers because it has a giant statue of Rahu, the biggest in Thailand.

The Prime Minister Chavalit's wife, Khunying Phankrua Yongchaiyudh, was to seek help from Rahu, the mythical god of darkness, to keep her husband's coalition government in one piece. Seeking the blessing of Rahu to repel bad luck is a common practice.

information extracted from
www.thaiworldview.com/bouddha/animism.htm

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LP Hong Jaktukam

This Jaktukam was a limited edition made by Luang Poo Hong . There are also more amulets from LP Hong in The temple.

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四面佛~~The Four Faced Buddha

四面佛手上所持的各种法物,其救护世间贫苦的代表如下:

1. 书本 – 代表无上智慧,可求赐与学业成功.


2. 念珠 – 代表轮迴与修行.


3. 枪棍 – 代表驱除一切魔障


4. 水壶 – 代表解渴;有求必应.


5. 螺壳 – 代表赐福,赐财,赐宝物.


6. 按胸手印 – 代表庇佑平安吉祥.


7. 法轮 – 代表消灾,收服一切邪魔外道.


8. 如意宝 – 代表万事如意,财源广进.
   

The four faces symbolize the four books of the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures and the source of all knowledge in the creation of the universe.

• The eight hands, symbolize the omnipresence and power of Lord Brahma.


• The upper right hand carries a rosary, symbolizing the cycle of life from creation to death.


• The upper left hand carries the Vedas, symbolizing knowledge and intellect.


• The lower left hand carries a pot of water representing cosmic energy of creation.


• The lower right hand bestows grace and protection.

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Tawd Gathin

Gaining merit through the offering of gifts to monks is an ancient Buddhist tradition that can be witnessed in the centre of bustling cities and in the dusty streets of rural villages on a daily basis. There is a special significance, however, in the thirty-day merit-making period that follows Awk Pansa, and known as Tawd Gathin - or "the laying down of robes."
Among the many gifts offered to the country's monks during this period, the most significant are new robes. Again, this is based on ancient Buddhist teachings, as the gift of new saffron robes dates back to the time of Lord Buddha.

It is written that some thirty or so holy monks set out on a journey from Patha to Savatthi in India at the end of the wet season to visit the Buddha. Travelling along wet and muddy roads, the good brothers presented themselves before Buddha in a most bedraggled and forlorn state. When the Buddha saw his followers in their soiled robes, he decreed that they should be given fresh robes annually at the end of each rainy season. Gathin ceremonies traditionally favour water processions to temples for the presentation of new robes, although this can also be done by land if necessary. Being the sole sponsor of a Gathin ceremony can be very expensive, and many Thai people today participate in a Gathin Samakkee, or United Gathin. Prayers will be held in a temple on the eve of the festival. Early the following morning, the Gathin procession, led by musicians, heads to a selected temple. Upon arrival at the temple, the new robes are carried round the main sanctuary three times before being presented, along with food, toiletries and simple utensils to the monks, following their midday meal. Money is also offered towards the upkeep of the temple; the notes being arranged as leaves on the branches of silver and gold coloured money trees. On completion of a Gathin ceremony, two crocodile flags are placed at the temple's entrance to show that it has received the annual Gathin donations, and that worshippers should find another temple from which to gain their seasonal merit.

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Awk Pansa

The month of October in Thailand is marked by festivals of faith held to celebrate the end of Buddhist Lent, and known as Awk Pansa and Tawd Gathin.

These ceremonies follow the three-month rainy season and are rooted in the country's agricultural tradition, based on the lunar calendar that marks the passing of the seasons and dictates the planting and harvesting of crops; mainly rice.

Awk Pansa means "leaving the period of rain" and normally falls on around early October till early November and this year it is 7th October. The occasion is to mark the end of Lord Buddha's retreat to heaven in the wet season, during which he preached to his mother. Upon his return to Earth, his followers presented Lord Buddha and his disciples with gifts of food. This event is celebrated today by the presentation of food and other gifts to the nation's monks as they emerge from their rainy season retreat in temples across the land. The monks prepare for this occasion by shaving their heads and eyebrows, and donning fresh robes before leaving their temples and travelling throughout the countryside. Awk Pansa falls on the night of the full moon when Thai people will visit their local temple to pray and to pay respects to the sacred relics and structures (such as chedis) within the temple grounds. Candles will be lit and placed outside homes and in temple compounds across the country. This is to mark the end of the rains that have brought sustenance to the land.

This occasion comes on the eve of a thirty-day period of merit-making for the people of Thailand.

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LUANG PHOR OPASEE

Luang Phor Opasee was believed to be born around 1877 to 1887. He was the eldest of eight siblings. He started his formal studies at the tender age of five and became a novice at Wat Tai when he was thirteen. His teacher, seeing talent in him, advised him to travel to the city to further his education. Luang Phor Opasee, heeding his teacher's advice, left for Wat Ta Poh and studied there for a short period of time before leaving for Bangkok to learn Pali. He then became a monk at Wat Bovornives.

Luang Phor Opasee was keen on learning and therefore studied many different languages. He was soon able to speak English, Chinese, Tamil, Malay, Japanese and Pali and many other languages. He stunned many with his outstanding intelligence. He was also a disciple of Luang Phor Kob Wat Tham Salika from Lopburi. Though they have never met before, it is believed that they communicated through meditation. When Luang Phor Opasee was about to reach the highest level of Dhamma, his behaviour started to change. He would stare at burning flames over a long period of time.

Luang Phor Opasee observed all the precepts of a monk strictly. He never accepted anything that was offered to him. He would just burn them, saying that the things are just temptations and that they would lead to unhappiness and that fire could destroy this. There was once he nearly burned down the whole of Wat Bovornives. The villagers were unhappy with him. They were unsure as to why he was behaving like this and they soon concluded that he was insane. Fearing for him, Phra Sangharaj Chao told Luang Phor Opasee to leave Wat Bovornives. Ajahn Bao Er found a place at Wat Arsom Bang Mok for Luang Phor Opasee upon hearing that he was moving out.

Many years later a chief monk in India came to know about Luang Phor Opasee. He sent a letter inviting Luang Phor Opasee to attend a conference held on the 28th of October 1955 in India. He had two disciples that were also invited to go along. Luang Phor Opasee was not able to make it on the 28th, but could only be there on the 31st. He then told his disciples to go over there first to inform them of his late arrival. On the 31st, many people were at the airport to see Luang Phor Opasee off, but he never showed up. Wondering why, they visited the temple only to find out that Luang Phor Opasee had passed away. At that time, his two disciples had met Luang Phor Opasee. They later received news that he had passed away but they thought it was impossible as Luang Phor Opasee was there at the conference interacting with Buddhist monks from other countries.

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龙甫托

佛历几百年前,大约是在2100年时代左右,出生在泰南约看地区的一个小乡村里.父母是农家,生活贫苦,从出生就随父母一起到田里耕种.传说在佛历三百多年前的某一天,当大师的父母正在忙碌耕作时,他们照常把小龙甫托放在棚架里当他们耕作完毕,正准备喂小龙甫用午餐,发现一条大金蛇! 这条蛇的身体足足有小车轮般大,还会发出闪闪金光.这条蛇的身子正弯弯曲曲卷着正在熟睡的小龙甫托.大蛇两眼发出红色的光芒注视着熟睡的孩子,鼻孔还不断喷出白白的浓烟. 龙甫托大师的母亲见到了这种情形,在害怕与惊慌之余,大喊救命,连同丈夫双双跪地求蛇神开恩,放过孩子. 这时候,金蛇,忽然对着小龙甫的头部,张开血盘大口,露出了一排排尖利的毒牙,说也奇怪,这条金蛇并没有一口把小龙甫吞进肚里,反而吐出一粒晶莹闪亮的珠子.同时还轻轻的用鼻子把水晶宝珠推至小龙甫手里,最后用舌头舔了他的脸几下,就化成了一道白烟消失在树林中.

胡

Buddha Chinarat

This Chinnarat Statue was placed in the room where Monks put up at our temple during special occassion. Sorry it was not open to public since it is where the Monks will sleep. Will try to take a full picture of the altar. A good place for meditation too.

胡