Phuket - Two Buddhist & a Chinese Temple- (2 of 3)

Our next stop was Wat Phra Thong, once again we were the only ones there! Luang Pho Phra Thong (Phra Phut for Buddha Emerges from the ground) is a golden Buddha statue emerged from the ground only the neck covering with a replica of a half Buddha statue. Here, we lit candles, incense and also did a gold leaf ceremony where we put gold leaves on a golden Buddha. Although we learned it is more cultural than religious, the applying gold leaf to a Buddha statue or sacred object was to show generosity. There were many ceremonies we participated in including the 6 sticks that get thrown (fortune telling) and rather two crescent-shaped wooden blocks (along with a yes/no question) hoping for one heads up and one down) and holding up a gold statue of an elephant with my pinky and making a wish (see video).

According to the “oral story” passed down, 2,000 years ago in Shanghai, China, there were 3 Buddha statues established for worshiping to 3 brothers of a Chinese lord family. After Shanghai lost to Tibet, Tibetan brought one of the 3 Buddha statues to Tibet but a big storm blew the ship to the coast of Phang Nga and the ship sank. There was a change of the earth crust around the sunken ship area and it became an island with a canal flowing through the area close to the Buddha statue eroding the soil to show the golden Buddha statue. After many mishaps of those trying to dig the Buddha out and “Buddha protecting it” (I read them all), it was determined it was meant to be half unearthed, as we see it today.

After this, we decided that although we don’t shop, we would visit the Old Town of Phuket, to visit an original old town apartment, see representation of local dress, and got a feel for the neighborhood, the shops and the people.

After that, we visited Wat Mongkol Nimit (also known as Wat Klang) Temple, constructed in 1880 and features distinctive Sino-Portuguese architecture with a cluster of 11 pagodas around a large one. The shrine hall has an ornate gable roof decorated with gold leaf and red and blue details. Behind the main shrine hall there is a large golden stupa (chedi). It was a very peaceful area despite being in the center of town, where monks live and there is a school for them. One of the temple’s most unique features is the golden Buddha image, hidden under cement for years to prevent theft. Discovered by chance during restorations, this relic is now fully revealed/restored. The temple also houses Luang Pho Khao, a large Buddha image in the ordination hall, and a walking Buddha statue crafted from gold, silver, and nacre (Mother of Pearl), along with a carved marble replica of Buddha’s footprint.

Our last stop in town was one of the few Chinese Temples, JuiTui Shrine. JuiTui Shrine is a Chinese shrine located in Koh Phuket. Originally, "Jui" in Chinese means water. For "Tui," it means a white mortar. In the past, a wide canal that can contain a great quantity of water was situated in front of the shrine. Villagers agreed to build turbines in order to use the water power to pound rice after having harvested.

There is an annual 9 day festival. This is the origin of the name of the shrine. Chinese lanterns are lit, which symbolically means that the vegetarian festival has commenced. Several religion-related performances to show the divine power such as the spiritual mediation, walking on fire, expelling bad things by bathing in boiling oil, a ceremony to pay respect to gods as well as a procession along roads are held. If you pay a visit in the shrine, you will sense a great atmosphere possessing the magnificent national work of art and culture. The red and golden color is highlighted so as to give a sense of luxury and to bring good luck, according to the Chinese. Moreover, statues of Chinese gods are there for the public to pay a respect to. This shrine is located in SoiPuthorn next to Pudjo Shrine. According to the history of this shrine, it is related to Bang Niew Shrine; that is to say, after the fire had broken out at the shrine in Soi Rommanee, some leaders decided to separate and established a shrine in the area of Ban Bang Niew which is nowadays Bang Niew Shrine.

There were also 9 shrines: Sui Boon Tong Shrine (Protection & Security), Seang Tamm Shrine (Career & Academic Success), Kathu Shrine (Charisma & Influence), Jui Tui Shrine (Luck & Success), Bang Liao Shrine (Business & Prosperity), Lim Hu Tai Su Shrine (Health, Longevity & Education), Kiw Tean Keng Shrine (Confidence & Safe Travels), Pud Zhou Shrine (Love, Relationships & Guidance) and Khoa Rang Shrine (Peace & Enlightenment).Read more