Guest guest Posted September 7, 2007 Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Thai Hindu Priest Ready for Launch of Giant Swing 9/6/07 Bankok Post by Supog Wangcharoen [A bit off-topic, but rather interesting.] As head of Thailand's Brahmin priests, Phra Ratchakru Wamadhepmuni has a busy schedule next week when Bangkok celebrates the unveiling of the new Giant Swing, one of the city's symbolic landmarks. The 54-year-old priest said the Giant Swing is connected to a Brahmin belief about the creation of the world by the Brahma deity. The Giant Swing, or Sao Chingcha, was built by King Rama I, founder of the Chakri Dynasty, in the early days of the Rattanakosin period in 1784. Legend has it that a Brahmin from Sukhothai asked the king to build the structure to worship Hindu deities. The king then chose a vacant area in front of Wat Suthat temple as the construction site. It's close to the ancient Dhevasatan Shrine, which is known as Bot Brahmin in Thai. It is the only Brahmin shrine in the country. The priest, formerly Chawin Rangsitbrahmanakul, said priest status is reserved for people with Brahmin origins. He was ordained at the age of 25 when his father, who was also a head Brahmin priest, died. However, he was too junior to take the top position at the time, so a priest from another family was chosen as head of the priesthood. Phra Ratchakru ascended to the position eight years ago. He said the title Phra Ratchakru stands for " leader " or " chief, " Wam (Wa-ma) for " those who are on the left side " , Dhep for deities and Muni for " master " . Together, his title means " a leading master on the left side of the deities " . He said the ancestors of the Rangsitbrahmanakul family were Brahmin Indians who had settled in the country since the Dvaravati period over 2,000 years ago. The religion is open to people of any race, he said. " Anyone can practice Brahminism, but they can only be followers or disciples. If they are not from Brahmin families, they are not allowed to enter into the priesthood to officiate at ceremonies, " said Phra Ratchakru. " The direct descendants will be given priority for the top spiritual position, which is named officially by His Majesty the King, " he said, adding that the Brahmin Shrine is under the Royal Household Bureau. " Those who want to become Brahmin priests can enter the priesthood at any age. The basic rule is that they have to observe the five precepts and refrain from eating beef, as the cow is a divine animal. They can have families and can dress in casual clothes except when performing ceremonies in which they are required to wear white Brahmin attire. " Brahmin priests do not cut their hair, however. " We have to tie it to make it look tidy, " he said. Currently, there are only 10 Brahmin priests in Thailand, Phra Ratchakru said. " Their schedules are always tight as they are invited to perform several ceremonies across the country, " said Phra Ratchakru. Each accepts offerings, like Buddhist monks, he said. He said the swing ceremony or lo chingcha was usually performed at inauguration ceremonies until 1933, when King Rama VII called it off. " The swing ceremony originates from an ancient Hindu epic depicting the creation of the world. After the creation, the Brahma god invited Shiva to test the stability of the earth by letting him stand on a mountain on one foot and the Naga serpents were asked to shake the world. If Shiva fell, it meant the world was unstable, but the supreme god didn't fall. Hence, Brahma decided to create humans and living things, " he said. The swing ceremony is a re-enactment of the Hindu epic, the priest said. " Swinging resembles the shaking of the earth by the Naga serpents and the stability of the Giant Swing symbolically means the future prosperity of Bangkok. " What we learn from this is that everyone should be sensible and exercise mindfulness like the Brahma god. " The god checked the world's stability first before creating living things, " said the priest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2007 Report Share Posted September 8, 2007 Very interesting. The story of Hinduism in South East Asia is not known. but from this article and Angkor etc, It seems there was a glorious period of Hinduism which was not poperly recorded and preserved for history. msbauju <msbauju wrote: Thai Hindu Priest Ready for Launch of Giant Swing 9/6/07 Bankok Post by Supog Wangcharoen [A bit off-topic, but rather interesting.] As head of Thailand's Brahmin priests, Phra Ratchakru Wamadhepmuni has a busy schedule next week when Bangkok celebrates the unveiling of the new Giant Swing, one of the city's symbolic landmarks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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