Temple puts up 'No Ritual' performance notice amid child angel fever



BANGKOK: -- The popular Buakwan temple in Nonthaburi today put up a sign announcing the halting of the performance of Buddhism ritual for the "child angels" after many people flocking the temple with their superstitious dolls for the rituals.

The abbot of the temple asked Phra Ajarn Winai Thitipanyo to stop performing the ritual called “Plook Sek” after the National Office of Buddhism was concern about the fast spreading fever, and security officials were worried that drug traffickers might exploit the trendy dolls.

The Royal Thai Police commissioner also ordered the crackdown of all illegal dolls smuggled into the country as an effort to stamp out drug trafficking attempt.

The sudden announcement this morning disappointed many people who came to the temple with their lifeless kids to receive blessing and the Plook Sek rituals.

One woman who just bought the female doll for 1,500 baht was so disappointed saying she intended to come today with her “daughter” to get blessing.

Phra Ajarn Winai said he would stop all rituals but would continue to preach and receive alms from Buddhists.

Earlier Phra Ajarn Winai Thitipanyo said the practice of performing a ‘Plook Sek’ ritual on an inanimate object such as dolls is not a contravention of Buddhism principles but people must recognize and be able to differentiate the difference of legitimate religious practice and ungrounded superstitious belief.

His Plook Sek ritual performance first featured the painting of Buddhist characters on the doll so that a child’s spirit is invited to posses the ‘Luk Thep’ doll.

Then it is accompanied by a ritual to call on all the 4 natural elements to enter the body of the dolls in the belief that by doing so the owners of the dolls will receive good fortune.

The whole ritual takes around 10 – 15 for one doll and at present many people are flocking to the temple to have similar rituals performed on their owned dolls, he explained.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/148734

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-29

"...people must recognize and be able to differentiate the difference of legitimate religious practice and ungrounded superstitious belief."

OK, I get it that Buddhism is an "ungrounded superstitious belief", so what else is the issue?

One woman who just bought the female doll for 1,500 baht was so disappointed saying she intended to come today with her “daughter” to get blessing.

I don't see anything wrong with it myself. It has just as much spiritual meaning as all this other hocus-pocus nonsense these monks perform.

One woman who just bought the female doll for 1,500 baht was so disappointed saying she intended to come today with her daughter to get blessing.

I don't see anything wrong with it myself. It has just as much spiritual meaning as all this other hocus-pocus nonsense these monks perform.

Come on over. My poodle would do the blessing with his holy water for a doughnut ?

The entire country will be brought to its knees over these stupid dolls.

Ah well, we need something to keep us entertained now that Dear Leader has decided to keep his trap shut this year.

What was/is 'the rate'? I didn't read anywhere how much money was supposed to be 'donated' for 'Phra' Ajarn to perform his mumbo-jumbo magic show...

(When one goes to 'consult' a monk, I know what to donate would normally be left to one's personal appreciation, but I know too, out of experience, there always is someone around to whisper in your ear how much money you should put in the jar...)

''The sudden announcement this morning disappointed many people who came to the temple with their lifeless kids to receive blessing and the Plook Sek rituals.''

Erm...

Well they rake in the cash blessing houses, cars, bikes and couples, so what's wrong with the dolls. ??

One woman who just bought the female doll for 1,500 baht was so disappointed saying she intended to come today with her “daughter” to get blessing.

I don't see anything wrong with it myself. It has just as much spiritual meaning as all this other hocus-pocus nonsense these monks perform.

Unfortunately, I agree with you. Buddhism, as practiced in Thailand, is nothing but a sham that preys on the weak and feeble.

One woman who just bought the female doll for 1,500 baht was so disappointed saying she intended to come today with her “daughter” to get blessing.

I don't see anything wrong with it myself. It has just as much spiritual meaning as all this other hocus-pocus nonsense these monks perform.

Unfortunately, I agree with you. Buddhism, as practiced in Thailand, is nothing but a sham that preys on the weak and feeble.

How is that any different than any other religion in every other country?

One woman who just bought the female doll for 1,500 baht was so disappointed saying she intended to come today with her “daughter” to get blessing.

I don't see anything wrong with it myself. It has just as much spiritual meaning as all this other hocus-pocus nonsense these monks perform.

Agree ... I remember in my home country every week, some old guy in long robes would babble something over a cracker and some wine and we'd all cannibaliistically believe it became the body and blood of someone who lived in the sky.

...finally a little common sense.......'fever'.......to put it politely......

not related to Buddhism AT ALL

"...people must recognize and be able to differentiate the difference of legitimate religious practice and ungrounded superstitious belief."

OK, I get it that Buddhism is an "ungrounded superstitious belief", so what else is the issue?

Isnt all religion?

''The sudden announcement this morning disappointed many people who came to the temple with their lifeless kids to receive blessing and the Plook Sek rituals.''

Erm...

Here's a thought - maybe the "lifeless kids" could dress their spooky dolls in school uniform and seat them in the school classrooms. See if the Thai teachers will notice the difference....

''The sudden announcement this morning disappointed many people who came to the temple with their lifeless kids to receive blessing and the Plook Sek rituals.''

Erm...

Here's a thought - maybe the "lifeless kids" could dress their spooky dolls in school uniform and seat them in the school classrooms. See if the Thai teachers will notice the difference....

they will probably get higher exam scores than the ones with a pulse anyway....

Guess "The Boy", that (or should I use "who"?) is coming to a cinema theater near you soon, felt lonely .. .. ..

Open a day care center for them and rake it in.

Forgive my ignorance, but wouldn't calling the spirit of the child into the doll severely restrict the ability of that spirit to reincarnate?

These dolls are going to band together and we'll get a 'Chucky' invasion. It's the end of the world!

Seriously though, mental health in Thailand is becoming a problem.

not related to Buddhism AT ALL

It is no more bizarre than any other rituals they perform, so yes it is very much related.

This time next year the numpties will have forgotten their dolls and moved on to the next silly fad. The dolls will be under the bed or on top of the wardrobe gathering dust. First there was the PAD then the PDRC .......now its the dolls. Heaven knows what the next daft attraction will be.

"Phra Ajarn Winai said he would stop all rituals but would continue to preach and receive alms from Buddhists". I guess he means alms in the form of thousand baht notes. Years before it was ok not to even pass over cash. Now it is expected. In fact as stated in prior post there will be some one telling you how much to give. At my wifes granny funeral I was blown away by the brazen of these so called men of the cloth. Just a money making venture.

Totally agree...

Whatever next???

Or