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The
First of MuayThai Institute
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MUAYTHAI
NEWS!!
MuayThai Institute has co-operated with Former Boxers Fundation
held the "Nai KhanomTom Ceremony Festival" on every year
of March 17
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<<
Come to Join us! >>
Please confirm us for booking the room and do
"Initiation as a Trainee Fighter" and
"Annual Homage-Paying Ceremory"
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Take
photos with Champions,
Look & Learn MuayThai Culture,
Test & Try MuayThai Techniques with the Masters!
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The
Concept Of Wai Kru
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One
of the most important traditions of MuayThai is
"Wai Kru" (Paying respect to your parents,
maters, teachers and trainers) and the philosophy which it encapsulates.
Wai Kru is an ancient custom which is closely bound
to the fundamental Thai concept that provides of knowledge are all
teachers -- and are worthly of utmost respect. In the pecking order,
the "kru yai" or headmaster. Between teachers
-- parents, educators, trainers or mentors -- and their students a
special relationship is believe to exist, one which will endure and
leave a lasting impression. Likewise, the bond bond between those
who study under the same teacher is regarded as being parallel to
kinship, so that such students refer to each other as "pee
nong", brothers and sisters. When students seek knowledge
from their teacher, they first offer symbols of respect: flowers,
garlands, incense-sticks and candles. If these seem overly religious
and more suited to temple offerings, then bear in mind that monks
are also teachers while in their own turn being disciple of Buddha:
just two more manifestations of the core teacher-student bond...
More
details >>
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| Informing
the Spirits Ceremony (Buwong Suwong) |

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The enduring belief of the Thai people in the unseen, the spirits
which inhabit all places and have to be kept happy or, if necessary,
appeased when they are angry. There are visible signs of this redolent
animism which coexists quite happily with the dominant Buddhism
in the little spirit-houses which are to be found in the corners
of many gardens and elsewhere. Looking like little pagodas elevated
on a "bird-table", tiny offerings of food and drink will
be presented to the occupants, who likewise are informed of any
major happenings in the lives of the people in the "big house".
A much more sumptuous and elaborate version of this tradition is
the Buwong Suwong ceremony which must be held prior
to the Annual Homage-Paying Ceremony and Initiation as a Teacher
rituals. (In the case of the Intaition as a Trainee Fighter rites,
which can be regarded as a personal contract between teacher and
newly-accepted student, not involving the spirits of teachers past,
it is an optional requirement.) The ceremony is performed by Brahmin
priests who in form the spirits of what is about to take place ask
their permission to proceed and also invite them to attend if they
are so incilined.
A special banquet is laid on for the spirits, the menu varying according
to a whole range of factors, including to the favorite dishes of
the particular deity to whom a special is being made. A pig's head,
chicken, desserts and fruit are typical offerings, along with candles,
incense sticks, flowers and other gifts. The important factor is
that, once it has been determined which form of Buwong Suwong
the ceremony is to take, there is no room for personal choice in
the offerings provided : an excate list has to be followed with
no omissions or deviations.
After waiting a suitably respectful time -- perhaps about an hour
-- to enable the spirits to eat their fill, the human participants
in the rites can partake of the feast, which, having been tasted
by the spirits, is now full of lucky portents.
Now that the spirits have been made aware of what is to happen and
their favor has been sought through the edible offerings, the main
ceremony can proceed as planned. The precise details of all the
ceremonies differ according to the traditions of MuayThai trining
camp/teacher involved. Invariably, however, all the ceremonies are
very powerful and moving, making, as intended, a permanent impression
on the participants minds and helping to stiffen their resolve.
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| Initiation
as a Trainee Fighter (Kuen Kru, Yok Kru) |
In
the past, before a teacher accepted a new student, he first spent
a great deal of time considering the proposition, trying to ascertain
whether or not the person was really worthy of becoming his student.
Some young fighters even intially had to act as servants to their
prospective teachers until such time as the teachers were convinced
of their suitability and good character. The process somethings
took a year -- or even several years -- to reach a resolution.
When a teacher agrees to accept a new student, the initiation ceremony
is held, usually on a Thursday, which is tradtionally regarded as
Wan Kru (Teacher's day). As they make a formal request to be accepted,
the students present the customary symbols of respect to their propspective
teacher (Krueng sakkara buchaa kru). Unlike the set requirments
for Buwong Suwong, there is some leeway for personal choice, although
candles, incense sticks and flowers are invariably included. Another
customary offering is a symbolic amount of money, like nine Baht,
"nine" in Thai being "gao", a word which, with
a different Thai spelling but identical pronunciation, also means
"to step forward or advance", giving it a hidden propitious
significance.
Students pledge in front of the teacher that they will be diligent
and hard working, and that they will respect and obey the teacher,
following his rulings to the letter. The teacher, for his part,
officially accepts the students and promises to instruct them to
the utmost of his abilities.
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| Annual
Homage-Paying Ceremony (Wai Kru Prajam Pee) |
This ceremony is held annually throughout Thailand in schools, universities
or whereever else else learning, og whatever sort, take place. Where
MuayThai is concerned, it is held either on MuayThai Day (17th March)
or any other traditionally propitious day, and requires the trainee
fighters to show their respect for and gratitude to their teachers.
Teachers and students alike gather together to arrange the Annual
Homage-Paying Ceremony, inviting as many past teachers as
possible to attend. The ceremony involves many traditional Thai
emblems of honor and respect and commences with all those assembled
paying respect to the souls of teachers who have passed away. The
ceremony then progresses to the students honoring all the teachers
present, who mark sacred symbols on the fighters' foreheads with
power in order to bestow prosperity and success upon them -- a custom
know as jerm. The ceremony involves the performance
of Ritual Dance of Homage by the fighters as a mark of respect to
their teachers, while both teachers and students mark sacred vows.
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