MERIT-MAKING vs ROBES-OFFERING CEREMONY !

Composing starts on 28 September 2018.

 ***信不信由你*** 

MERIT-MAKING vs  ROBES-OFFERING CEREMONY

“Should a person merit make

Let him do it time and again And turn his heart to delight therein,

For happiness is the accumulation of merit”. 

The general desire of all beings throughout life is to escape painful and undesirable experiences and seek circumstances giving rise to happiness. Merit, the Buddha declared, is one thing that fire nor even an earthquake can destroy, nor can water drown its effect. Thieves cannot steal it nor can the State take it away by levy of a tax. In other words, merit is indestructible by others.  Merit has the power of purifying the mind of greed, hatred and delusion. Thus, merit can be looked upon as those actions that improve the quality of the mind. It is the making of merit that ensures one to lead a balanced and a harmonious life. 

So how does one acquire this merit? The Buddha preached that there are ten ways of making merit. There are: 

1. Giving or generosity (Dāna-mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu) 

2. Moral conduct or virtue (Sīla-mayaŋ ...........................  ) 

3. Meditation or mental development (Bhāvana-maya….)

4. Respect or reverence (Apaciti-sahagataŋ .... )

5. Service in helping others ( Veyyāvacca-sahagataŋ .... ) 

6. Transference of merit (Pattānuppadānaŋ .................. )

7. Rejoicing in other’s merit (Abbhanumodanaŋ ......... )

8. Expounding or teaching the dhamma (Desana-mayaŋ .....) 

9. Listening to the dhamma (Savana-mayaŋ ................. )  

10. Correcting one’s views (Diññhijjukammaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu) 

In the Suttas, there are only ‘three ways of making merit’ explicitly mentioned by the Buddha, namely,

1. Giving (dāna-mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu), 

2. Moral conduct (sīla- mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu) 

3. Meditation (bhāvana-mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu) 

The other seven ways are also mentioned in the Suttas but not explicitly. Thus the seven ways of making merit should be understood as being included in the above three. Thus the ways of making merit in brief are three and in detail ten. 

Kathina Robes  Offering Ceremony

 

In Thailand and Malaysia, The Kathina festival is a major observance of Theravada Buddhism. It is a time for laypeople to offer cloth for robes and other necessities to the monastic sangha. The Kathina ceremony provides one of the most popular occasions for merit-making with this robes-offering ceremony with profound respect and devotion to the monks, who have just spent three months in the monastery observing the Vassã (Khao Pansã ) – the Rains Retreat.

Merit-Making or Contributing Merits in general doesn’t come in sizes – ( neither in RM nor MATERIALS ). What really counts and matter are FAITH, SINCERITY & CAPABILITY of CONTRIBUTION   !   The recent popular trend in Malaysia, most of devotees will throng to the so-called RICH temple during Khatina Robes Offering Ceremony with “RICH MONEY TREE”  ( Huge amount of bank notes were stacked and hung onto it ) and the POOR temples will struggle with local folks and their “POOR MONEY TREE” ( Money tree with only small amount of bank notes ). During the procession, the RICH MONEY TREE will lead the procession. They will get all the FAMES and PREVILLEGES, the banner was printed out with the emphasis on the VVIP donators and the sum of donation, the Thad-Yao group ( Thai traditional long drum ) will lead them in full force while the POOR MONEY TREE will left behind – some may not get any attention at all ! 

Isn’t that little stray from the real Khatina Robes Offering Ceremony ? As we can see in Thai particularly, the Khatina ceremony procession will lead by the ROBES procession and not the “MONEY TREE” ! Whereas, in our beloved country, procession was led by the “MONEY TREE”. It’s Khatina Money Tree Offering Ceremony instead of Khatina Robes Offering Ceremony !

The photo to the left was the photo captured on 10/11/2018, during the grand annual Thod-Khatin ceremony (Khatina Ceremony), in Wat Prakchumchontara or widely know as Wat Chau Khun Onn @ Wat Sungai Padi. As we can see the Thod-Khatin ceremony in Wat Sungai Padi was led by the ROBES-PROCCESSION and then followed by the money-tree carriers and absolutely not led by the MONEY-TREE as we can see in the local temples. As for me, this is the real Khatina @ Robes Giving Ceremony should be. 

Photo to the right is another photo taken from different angle showing how the procession was led by the ROBES and not by the MONEY-TREE. Kudos to Chau Khun Onn and Wat Prakchumchontara's committees and devotees !  

Please don't get me wrong here, i'm neither promoting nor provoking any temples / parties. I'm just sharing my thought and personal P.O.V regarding the real Khatina Robes Giving Ceremony should be ! Absolutely personal okay !

“RICH MONEY TREE ?” Well for me, it is just  ‘HOO-HA’ and ‘HULLABALOO’ ! MONEY TREE is just a symbol during khatina. During our great Buddha era, there’s no money tree at all. The only things that they offered to the Buddha dan Sanghas are ROBES as well as FOOD. That’s why we called it as Khatina Robes Offering Ceremony and NOT Khatina Money Tree Offering Ceremony.

“MONEY TREE” is just the new trend to indicate the modern style of merit-making, SHOW-OFF to be exact ! Thus, MONEY TREE should not be considered as the sincerity or priority of acceptance. Nowadays, many temples are likely stray from their real existence / roles and most of devotees kinda confuse with the RULES OF MERIT-MAKING, therefore………

1.  RICH temples will remain RICH with throng of URBAN and RICH devotees during Khatina – Robes Offering Ceremony. 

2. POOR temples will remain POOR with throng of LOCAL and POOR devotees during Khatina – Robes Offering Ceremony.

The rich temples getting richer and richer whereas the poor temples struggle to survive with limited fund to run its activities – spreading Dhamma and stacks of unsettled utilities and maintenance fees.

In Kelantan ( these recent years ), after the demised of the prominent and rich temple’s abbots, the committees finally discovered there was millions of RM in temple current account that haven’t been used as it should be and they even secretly discovered millions of RM in monk personal account too. This MILLIONS of RM finally creates dispute among committees and monk’s relatives, some even seek legal action to retrieve the fund - money ! BINGO ! The demised monk relative’s then become an instant millionaire ! My questions are, isn't that ( owning huge amount of bank notes ) is prohibited to a monk and monk should leave behind all the luxuries life ? Proceeds  donated to the temple should be spent / used wisely and not to be kept in the temple / monk personal account regardless of any reasons, right ? 

Some of the irresponsible parties kinda "menangguk di air keruh" as "to fish in trouble waters" in English, which to indicate someone who is trying to take advantage of a confused situation by producing mass votive tablets @ amulets to be sold during the khatina ceremony. Some of them claimed that it was made by the temple by using special materials but the truth is NOT ! Don't get me wrong okay, i'm talking about mass amulets produced by laypeople and claimed to be the finest works of the temple abbot for the sake of Dollars and Cents !. I'm not referring to the real stuffs by the temple. 

Kindly click the link below for the article on the bhikku's belongings - the possessions ( the obligatory things, the authorized things, things that bhikkhu must not possess and as well as the forbidden things ).

http://en.dhammadana.org/sangha/monks/belongings.htm

Phor Than @ Than Noon, present abott of Wat Ariyakiri, Pauh Lima Aril. Used to say ( when he was resided in Wat Sungai Soi in late 1990’s )…………..

 “If you really want to make merit go to the poor temples @ samnak. Resource and rebuilt them, channel the proceeds to the temples in order to help them to spread the Dhamma and enable them to channel all proceeds from the merit-making to the needy”.

 The Buddha preached that …………………..

“Let therefore a man (advises the Buddha) train himself 

in merit-making that yields long-lasting happiness. 

Let him cultivate the practice of giving, 

virtuous conduct and a mind of mettā. 

By cultivating these qualities the wise man arrives

in untroubled and happy states. 

Hence, do not fear merit-making.

 ‘Merit-making’ is a term denoting happiness,

 what is desirable, pleasant, dear and charming.”

 As stated in the 10-Way of Making Merit, “dāna-mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu”,  giving or generosity is the ONLY one of the ten ways of making merit. As I said before, “dāna-mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu” through the “MONEY TREE” is just the new trend to indicate of merit-making. Thus, “MONEY TREE” should never be considered as the sincerity or priority of acceptance. 

No worries if your money tree is not as rich as others because as I said before Merit-Making doesn’t come in sizes – ( neither in RM nor MATERIALS ). What really counts and matter is “FAITH”. As I always believe,  in order to FULLFIL our “dāna-mayaŋ puñña-kiriya-vatthu” during Khatina Robe Offering ceremony  a single complete set of ROBES will do, as it’s Khatina Robes Offering Ceremony and IT”S NOT @ NEVER Khatina Money Tree Offering Ceremony !

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu ….. Saaadhu !

“No Hard Feeling. Merely sharing @ Perkongsian Semata………….”

 sabbe satta sukhita hontuk !

Wiesukhihotu Din Daeng 18 !

Composing ends on 10 November 2018.

 ***信不信由你*** 

****************Muhasabah Diri *******************

JANGAN RIAK,

JANGAN TAKBUR,
JANGAN JADI HAMBA DUIT !
KALAU BETUL, KATAKAN BETUL.
KALAU SALAH, KATAKAN SALAH.
USAH BERMUKA-MUKA,
USAH MENJADI TALAM DUA MUKA,
USAH KERANA DUIT, PANGKAT, DAN KUASA,
KITA JADI HIPOKRIT,

MAKA..............

               YANG BETUL DIKATAKAN SALAH,
                              YANG SALAH DIKATAKAN BETUL !

********************Muhasabah Diri *****************

"Tongkat-In Phra Nuer Wanj"

Composing starts on 25 March 2018.

 ***信不信由你*** 

"Tongkat-In Phra Nuer Wanj"

Sharing my PESRSONAL POINT OF VIEW ( personal okay ! ) regarding Tongkat-In Phra Nua Wanj. ( An amulet with an imprint of tip of the wand / maikru in the back @ widely known as Tongkat-In). This Tongkat-In Phra Nua Wanj believes to be a figurine of late Luang Phor Khron Ratchanren @ Tok Raja Khron @ Than Kong. Some of the Kelantan Phra-Kreung collectors believe that it was indeed CONSECRATED according to Bangsek’s secret by our late Than Kong. Some of irresponsible parties trying hard to convince these newcomers to believe that the depicted image on the amulet is the figurine of Luang Phor Khron Ratchanren @ Tok Raja Khron @ Than Kong  and this batch of amulet is RUNE SUTHAI ( last batch, that's why not many know about this batch ) and 100% made by Than Kong  

My personal point of view is simple. As for me, I strongly believe that the figurine casted / depicted is NOT Tok Raja Khron's. BUT it’s a figurine of Venerable Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya or popularly known as Ven. Luang Pu Thuad Wat Chang Haiy, Pattanee. Why am I saying this ? My simple clarification towards this claim are ............. 

1. Physical Characteristics of Phra Nuer Wanj.

The basic physical characteristics are not parallel with the Bangsek's phim and style. If you observe carefully the base, the phra figurine is seated on the LOTUS THRONE. According to the Buddhisme custom and belief, ONLY those who has attaining ARAHANT @ BODDHISATVA level be able to be seated on the lotus throne. The argument is Than Kong would never permitted his image to be casted or printed on the lotus throne during his life time, because Than Kong would never consider himself as arahant or attained the arahant level.   

Some parties used to argue with me by saying that some of the sacred monks figurines were ALSO printed @ casted as seated on the lotus throne. So there's no issue here. For instances, Cha Pok Loh Wat Khao Kong, Luang Phor Lindam @ Orchik Wat Naka etc. My simple feedback to the argument is, those figurine ( Cha Pok Loh bucha statue and LP Lindam Taorit and Roubmeurn ) were made / produced AFTER THEY WERE DEMISED and NOT DURING THEIR LIFE TIME ! Those down-to-earth prominent monks will never claim and consider themselves arahant. Only laymen like us DID so !

I use to ask Phor Luang Kaew why the ordinary monks should not cast their image on the lotus throne. Pho Kaew replied it in short ......

" Uh Dok Pade Eh, Dok Chekak Not Tanggung La.....! "

( We are not up to the par and could not bear the SIN ! )  

2. The Neur / Composition of the Wanj @ Materials 

The composition of the neur wanj @ materials are not consistent and parallel with the neur from Bangsek. Meaning to say that the composition of the wanj @ materials are not consistent with the creation of late Than Kong a.k.a Phra Pidnar Phakhawan. Neither of the Phra Pidnar Phakhawan made by late Than Kong nor 05 Taurit made by Than Chan and Chau khun Mit bear the same composition of this Phra Neur Wanj Tongkat-In. 

3. The  'Tongkat' @ Wand Yant Imprint "Yakh"

 The akharak yant @ khom "Yakh" imprint in the reverse is neither the Yant Kru nor Than Kong favourite yant @ khom. As far as I concerned, none of Than Kong Maikru tip was crafted @ equipted with the YAKH yant imprint that can be used to produce the imprint like one we see in the reverse side of the feature amulet. As I said, none of the phra kreung and kreung lang made by Than Kong used the SINGLE akharak yant @ khom of "Yakh". Than Kong favourite SINGLE akharak yant @ khom  that can widely  be found are "Phut and Akh" and not "Yakh".

 4. Phor Luang Kaew's Point of View

Phor Luang Kaew @ Phor Kae said that this Phra Neur Wanj was secured from late Than Kong's room by late Chau Khun Chan after the demised of Than Kong. When asked  further about the origin of this Phra Neur Wanj, Phor Kae said that Chau Khun Chan went to the deep Samadhi and came to the conclusion that, it was considered as Than Kong's creation as it was blessed by late Than Kong himself but he couldn't assure bout the origin of this phra neur wanj because as far as his concerned, he ( Than Chan ) never seen or witnessed Than Kong  self made this phra neur wanj and there're no mold for such phim found. Phor Kae said that, Late Cau Khun Chan later re-blessed this phra neur wanj before distributing it to the devotees. Chau Khun Chan said that this phra neur wanj is superb for Khlew Khad and Nir-Antarai Plod Pai -- consistent with most of Luang Pu Thuad's amulets ! 

5.  Real story from Late Phor Than Dee of Wat Maisuwankiri,  and the tranced novice monk

The old true-experience story was retold by most of SENIOR KELANTANESE AMULET DIE HARDS. The story began when the novice monk from the temple was tranced by the unknown spirit. The novice monk was brought upon late Than Dee and after a short conversation with the spirit, Than Dee later announced that it was indeed Late Than Kong @ Khron Ratchanaren's spirit. All ( including late Than Dee, monks and other novice monks ) made a 3-prostration bow to Than Kong ( soul @ spirit ).

Late Than Dee then led the Qs & As with Than Kong's spirit. According to the eye witnesses, late Than Dee consulted Than Kong ( spirit ) about Bangsek Vicha and khatas, secret of making the phakhawan including the yant @ khata akhom inscribed to be inserted inside the phakhawan. and some unsolved Bangsek's mystery ). Before the spirit left the novice monk body, one of the novice monks came forward and handed his Phra Neur Wanj ( Tongkat In ) and Phakhawan to be blessed by Than Kong ( spirit ) and later it was identified as Phra Luang Pu Thuad and  not him ( Than Kong ) by the spirit !

After this rare incident and late Phor Than Dee started to collect some Phong and Wanj to make his 1st batch pidta phakhawan. It took him ( Than dee ) for several years before successfully gathered all the materials needed. We ( Kelantanese ) believe that, Than Dee's pidta was made according to the advice given by Than Kong 's spirit and was inserted with the akharak jant as directed by Than kong ( spirit ). Don't believe me blindly, go and ask ( Kelantanese ) around. Perhaps you will be narrated with the same story lines !!!!

6. Others Phra Kreung That Been Brought Back and Re-blessed by Late Than Kong

FYI, during Than Kong's era there were few phims of phra kreung & kreung lang that been distributed by him in Wat Uttamaram. The amulets were NOT by him but were GIVEN or BROUGHT back from other monks / temples after joining the phutapisek ceremony , as token of appreciation to be exact. For instances, 

1. Pidta Phakhawan Mahaud, Luang Pu Ee, Wat Sathahip.

2. Phra Somdej Phim Thewada, Luang Pu Nak, Wat Rakhang.

3. Phra Khun Paen 2497, Achan Chum Chaikiree.

4. Seur Jant Phra Pidta ** ( red magical vest ), Bangkok.
5. Phra KhongKhawan, Luang Phor Sod, Wat Paknam. **

6. etc

   ** to be discuss in-depth

 7. Than Kong SENIOR  Amulets Collector's Point of View

 To be honest........most of senior Bangsek's amulets collectors have shared the same  point of view, that is the depicted  figurine on this phra neur wanj is NOT Than Kong @ Khron Ratchanaren's BUT it’s a figurine of Venerable Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya or popularly known as Ven. Luang Pu Thuad Wat Chang Haiy, Pattanee instead.

Most of them keep mum and refuse to utter a single word regarding this phim as...……. they kinda dun wanna HURT & SPOIL their friend / friendship who merely depend on amulets sales and profits for a living, they dun wanna mess-up with those so called Bangsek's expert and last but not least some of them were part of their business partner  - Dollar and Cents ! 

Something to ponder with......that's why the renting price for this "Tongkat-In Phra Nuer Wanj" will never sky-rocketed. The renting price is not soaring as other Than Kong's creations.  By spending few hundreds of RM, you are able to own it. Some of the irresponsible parties claimed that ………..

" The price is not expensive because it's not a popular phim by Than Kong and PLEASE REMEMBER THAT, NOT ALL THAN KONG'S STUFF ARE POPULAR "

What a claim ! YOU HAVE JUST NAILED ME GUYS ! I personally would like to rubbish such claim, as for me the renting price is not sky rocketing merely because you guys know the casted image on the phra nuer wanj is neither Than Kong's figurine nor his creation !

Dear guys, bear in mind that the same hot issue that being discussed RECENTLY is regarding THIS phim phra kreung. The feature phra kreung ( below pics ) was claimed to be late Chau Khun Chan Roob Meurn Neur Wanj Chan Mark Tui which was made and consecrated by late Chau Khun Chan himself. As far as I ( WE - few of us to be exact ! ) concerned, this phim of phra kreung IS NOT Chau Khun Khron a.k.a Tok Raja Roob Meurn. The claim was made as such PERHAPS because of the same reason ( Dollar and Cents may / could be other reasons ! ).  

'Haabooden' - So, whose roob meurn is this ??? FYI, it's a roob meurn of late Luang Phor Soung B.E. 2506 of Wat Khong Kha Wadee, Songkhla  province ! Stayed tuned for another post guys !!!! Hahahahahaha, forsure kena DIU la saya after this ! 

Back to the discussion above, I'M PRETTY POSITIVE that the depicted  figurine on this phra neur wanj is NOT Than Kong @ Khron Ratchanaren's BUT it’s a figurine of Somdej Phra Rajamuni Samiramagunupamacarya @ Luang Pu Thuad of Wat Chang Haiy, Pattanee.

p.s.: Still a good amulet indeed !!!

NO HARD FEELING ya !

Composing ends on 15 October 2018.

---

***信不信由你***

Merely Sharing @ Perkongsian Semata,

Wiesukhihotu Din Daeng

sabbe satta sukhita hontuk18 !

****************Muhasabah Diri *******************

JANGAN RIAK,
JANGAN TAKBUR,
JANGAN JADI HAMBA DUIT !
KALAU BETUL, KATAKAN BETUL.
KALAU SALAH, KATAKAN SALAH.
USAH BERMUKA-MUKA,
USAH MENJADI TALAM DUA MUKA,
USAH KERANA DUIT, PANGKAT, DAN KUASA,
KITA JADI HIPOKRIT,

MAKA..............
               YANG BETUL DIKATAKAN SALAH,
                              YANG SALAH DIKATAKAN BETUL !

********************Muhasabah Diri *****************

Coming Up Next ..........................

Composing starts on 25 March 2018.

"Tongkat-In Phra Nua Wanj"

Sharing my PESRSONAL POINT OF VIEW regarding Tongkat-In Phra Nua Wanj. ( An amulet with Tongkat-In @ an imprint of tip of the wand / maikru in the back). This Tongkat-In Phra Nua Wanj believes to be a figurine of late Luang Phor Khron Ratchanren @ Tok Raja Khron @ Than Kong. Some of the NAIVE Kelantan Phra-Kreung collectors believe that it was indeed CONSECRATED according to Bangsek’s secret by our late Than Kong. Some of irresponsible parties trying hard to convince these newcomers to believe that the depicted image on the amulet is the figurine of Tok Raja and was consecrated by him !

My personal point of view is simple. As for me, I strongly believe that the figurine casted / depicted is NOT Tok Raja's. It’s a figurine of ....................................................

Stay tuned, hahahahahahaha !