Abundant Foods, Proper Amount Of Water Predicted

[george]

Abundant foods, proper amount of water predicted

SANAM LUANG: -- Abundant crops and foods and proper amount of water are predicted this year during the royal ploughing ceremony at Sanam Luang Monday morning.

The royal ploughing cows ate grass and sesame seeds so the royal astrologer came up with the prediction.

-- The Nation 2009-05-11

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

I"m glad the cows are happy. I am, too. The holiday extended my summer vacation by one day.

Tomorrow, it's back to the grind.

[MSingh]

So let me get this right, the Cows ate Grass & because of that, the Royal Astrologer predicted a bumper Year for Crops & Water ??

Or was it the Sesame Seeds than swang the Astroger to this way of thinking ??

[Mario2008]

The ceremony is a Thai tradition and as such to be respected.

[Jdietz]

Some background information which maybe helps to get some perspective about this ceremony, as the original Nation article was a bit short on specifics regarding the ritual.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is an ancient Brahminical rite dating back to the Sukhothai period (1257 - 1350 A.D.) The ceremony, which heralds the start of the new rice-growing season, was undertaken to assure a successful planting season and an abundance of the nation's crops. Festivities were held to boost the farmers' morale urging them to strive for an abundant harvest for consumption and to ensure sufficient reserves for times of war and for export overseas.

The practice faded out towards the end of the reign of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) but was later revived by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1960 (B.E. 2503). Since then, it has been observed annually.

Today, the Royal Ploughing Ceremony consists of two ceremonies - a Cultivating Ceremony known as "Phraraj Pithi Peuj Mongkol" and the Ploughing Ceremony, "Phraraj Pithi Jarod Phranangkal Raek Na Kwan". Both royal ceremonies are state events with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives assuming the role of the Lord of the Harvest or Phraya Raek Na, while four single female officials of the Ministry holding positions of second rank and above in the civil service undertake the role of the Celestial Maidens or Nang Thepi, assistants to the Lord of the Harvest.

The Cultivating Ceremony is a Buddhist ritual performed one day before the Ploughing Ceremony. Paddy and the seeds of forty other crops and ceremonial items to be used in the Ploughing Ceremony are blessed. His Majesty the King (or a representative) presides over the religious rites which are performed in the Royal Chapel of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within the compounds of the Grand Palace. With lustral water poured over his hands and his forehead anointed by His Majesty the King, the Lord of the Harvest receives the royal blessing. The four Celestial Maidens also receive similar blessing. The Lord of the Harvest then receives the ceremonial ring and sword to be used in the Ploughing Ceremony from His Majesty the King.

The Royal Ploughing Ceremony which is held the next morning at Sanam Luang -- The Royal Ground -- begins with the Lord of the Harvest performing a rite to predict the amount of rainfall in the coming season. This is done by selecting one of three pieces of cloth of varying lengths. At the auspicious time following the arrival of His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family, the Lord of the Harvest begins to plough the field and sows the rice seeds from the baskets carried by the Celestial Maidens. At the end of the ploughing ceremony, the ceremonial bulls are led to troughs, each containing one of seven different offerings of food or drink namely, paddy, green beans, maize, hay, sesame seed, water and liquor. Predictions regarding the success of the harvest and the abundance of particular crops in the coming season are determined by the items selected by the bulls. Then as the barricades are removed, hundreds rush into the field hoping to gather a few sacred rice grains scattered by the Lord of Harvest. These are either mixed with the farmer's own rice stock to ensure a good crop in the coming year, or simply kept as a token of good luck.

http://www.thailandgrandfestival.com/festival.asp?festID=559

[MSingh]

The ceremony is a Thai tradition and as such to be respected.

I can't see anyone here who has disrespected the Ceremony in the slightest, i just can't understand the prediction following the ceremony & what it was based on...

[george]

Ancient royal ploughing ceremony predicts abundant food, proper amount of water

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's traditional soothsayers predicted an abundance of food production in the kingdom during the coming year, and a proper supply of water -- with plentiful rice yields – after divining the signs indicated in the royal ploughing ceremony, marking the beginning of the planting season on Monday.

The ceremony was presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, represented His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Charanthada Kannasuta, who served in the Brahman ceremony from ancient India as the Lord of the Plough, was offered three pieces of folded cloth of different lengths and he selected one of medium length. Based on his selection, proper water supply, with plentiful food and rice were predicted.

The sacred oxen, Fah and Sai, ate grass and sesame seeds and the Brahmin seers accordingly interpreted the actions as meaning there will be an abundance of food and average water supply in the kingdom of Thailand during the coming year.

Mr. Charanthada is serving as the Lord of the Plough for the last time as he will retire at the end of this September.

The royal ploughing ceremony is a ancient Indian Brahmanic rite, in which sacred oxen plough a furrow at the Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. The ceremony has been performed in Thailand since the Sukhothai period, some 700 years ago.

Four consecrated ladies carry gold and silver baskets filled with rice seed, which they scatter into the newly-ploughed furrow. Walking alongside the plough are official Brahmans from the royal court who are chanting and blowing conch shells.

-- TNA 2009-05-31

[ralphlsasser]

The ceremony is a Thai tradition and as such to be respected.

Woa is the person that says anything about the Thai's and their customs. We must have the customs police among us.

[thaiwanderer]

So let me get this right, the Cows ate Grass & because of that, the Royal Astrologer predicted a bumper Year for Crops & Water ??

Or was it the Sesame Seeds than swang the Astroger to this way of thinking ??

respect?

[BigSnake]

I hope the cows are right on. Some beautiful cows by the way.

[Texpat]

Yes beautiful cows.

Spellbinding. Almost magical.

[JR Texas]

Yes beautiful cows.

Spellbinding. Almost magical.

Finally some good news..........congratulations Thailand!

[hardy1943]

Yes beautiful cows.

Spellbinding. Almost magical.

Finally some good news..........congratulations Thailand!

I second that motion..........we Yanks have groundhog day

[coconutmonkey]

I hope the cows are right on. Some beautiful cows by the way.

Hahe!

Spot on!

[Oberkommando]

post deleted

Edited May 11, 2009 by Oberkommando
Sarcastic remarks have been removed - LivinginKata

[LivinginKata]

A number of disrespectful posts have been removed

[mauGR1]

Personally i have a dislike for the"know it all " farangs that come to Asia and have nothing better to do than mocking the old traditions.i meet some of them occasionally,and i can testify that besides a passion for booze and easy girls there is not much left.

Most of this people don't respect the Thais,then complain when something goes wrong.

[madforit]

Personally i have a dislike for the"know it all " farangs that come to Asia and have nothing better to do than mocking the old traditions.i meet some of them occasionally,and i can testify that besides a passion for booze and easy girls there is not much left.

Most of this people don't respect the Thais,then complain when something goes wrong.

Hear Hear!

I think it is a wonderful tradition and I am very much an ignorant farang. Every county has its own traditions and rituals and they should be respected if you live in or visit the country even if you do not agree with them. Shame on you Mr Singh for your inital mocking response.....what would your reaction be I wonder if foreigners were to come to your country of origin and mock your traditions??

Personally I'd love to be able to attend these ceremonies.....I love the Loy Kratong festival and of course Thai new Year!