Lu-see, like the wizard looking guy in the Thai alphabet, (law lu-see).

I always thought it was probably a mythical being, but the other day some Dhutanga monks came to exorcise some ghosts from our village and a Lu-see came with them. He led the exorsism and put on quite a show.

Does anyone know about these guys?

A ruesii (should be a trilled 'r' sound in Standard Thai) means a 'hermit' or 'ascetic' so I guess that's what they were referring to, somebody who lives in seclusion.

Also, it should be "saw rusee" not "law rusee" because the letter he represents (saw) is the letter that makes the 's' sound in his name, not the beginning 'r' sound.

Also, it was a bit confusing to learn this letter because is is often called "saw baw rusee" and I had a difficult time learning why they add the "baw" in there. It turns out that this is a reminder that the letter looks a bit like "baw bomai" and this helps children (even big ones like me) to remember how to write the letter....start with a "baw bomai" and then add a little embellishment to ceate the "saw baw rusee".

Chownah

Edit: Also, the character Rusee.....I mean the person Rusee seems to be a particular character and is not supposed to be just any old ascetic. There are lots of ascetics in the world but there was only one Rusee I think. Also, if you know who Suksakhon is, I'm pretty sure that Rusee was Suksakhon's teacher.

Chownah

In Thailand some spirit mediums dress up as reu-see.

Lu See or Ru See : archetypal religious yogic/ascetic/hermit figure, the Thai "version" of the Indian Agasthya Muni.

Considered by Thais, in the "Great Tradition" Theravadan perspective, to be ex-Prince-Siddhartha's ascetic guru in the period of time when he lived as an ascetic in the forest with other yogis, before his realization of the "middle way" led to his long meditation under the Bo tree during which he attained mahasamadhi (becoming enlightened), and victory over Mara (maravijaya), and became the Lord Buddha, Gautama.

Note that the "founding legends" of many northern Thai cities as found in texts like the Jinakalamani and Camidevivamsa involve magical acts by mountain-top ascetics (isi) who use their magical powers acquired by asceticism (iddis) to actually create the cities, level land, etc., and most of these founding legends also include a physical visit by the Buddha himself who leaves a footprint, or, in the case of Haripunjaya, a special column of rock where in the future it is predicted relics of the Buddha will be found.

In the "Little Tradition' perspective in Thailand : closely associated with animism, male magic related to power and sexuality.

The very Chinese looking Lu See in the niche just next to the main entrance of Chiang Mai's Wat Phratat Doi Suthep is, in the "Little Tradition," the vampire son of the two vampire "guardians" of Doi Suthep, Pu Sae and Pu Yae. These human-flesh-eaters and blood drinkers were, according to local legend, converted to a more wholesome diet by the Buddha himself ... who had to return when they relapsed and re-convert them. Annual sacrifice of a water buffalo to Pu Sae and Pu Yae on Doi Suthep continued into late modern times.

I personally know a "rang song" (vehicle for a spirit) who goes into trance and channels Lu See in the Chiang Mai area; but his main trance-role is a 30,000 year old giant (Yak). He has appropriate elaborate costumes for each "role," and when he becomes "Lu See" he very effectively appears to change from a mid-thirties slender man to a very decrepit old man with a weak quavering voice. In my perspective, as a former western trained pyschotherapist, he performs the classic functions of helping people reveal the dark secrets of their hearts, have a catharsis, and my guess is he probably slips in some practical advice, along the way.

Lu See is among the most popular rang song channelled spirts in northern Thailand along with Queen Camadevi, the semi-legendary founder of the Mon kingdom of Haripunchai (modern day Lamphun) circa 7-8th. century of the Christian Era calendar.

regards, bill

p.s. for greater depth on "Great Tradition" and "Little Tradition," and their dynamic interplay in culture : Wikipedia or Google on same and possibly : Milton Singer.

'rusee' is Thai for Sanskrit 'rishi' (Pali 'isi'). This seems to be an example of a Thai word coming straight from Sanskrit without going through Pali first. The vocalic r at the beginning (Thai and Sanskrit) gives the derivation away clearly. In Sanskrit, rishi is usually translated as "seer" & the term goes back to the legendary composers of the Vedas, called... rishis. Now the term has a generic meaning of 'holy man', as in Maharishi (fill in your choice here). As for how it's used in Thai, I haven't paid particular attention but I've always had the impression it was a general term for a forest dwelling ascetic (outside the sangha), something like the matted hair ascetics that the Buddha commended in one of the suttas (I can probably find the citation if asked). In other words, I never understood it as a specific figure, but my interpretation could be clouded by my greater familiarity with the Sanskrit usage.

A pic of reusi.

Thanks everyone.

Our Rusee, really looks the part, beard, tiger skin cloths etc. I dont know how much of an ascetic life he lives as they say he is in big demand for his services.

Evedently, he was sucessful in driving out the ghosts from our village. One ghost was causing severe distress for Grandma, a very sweet old lady, and now she is fine. Mind over matter? I dont know, but the villagers are pleased.