|
|
|
The
First of MuayThai Institute
| |
MUAYTHAI
NEWS!!
MuayThai Institute has co-operated with Former Boxers Fundation
held the "Nai KhanomTom Ceremony Festival" on every year
of March 17
|
|
<<
Come to Join us! >> Please confirm us for booking the room and do
"Initiation as a Trainee Fighter"
and
"Annual Homage-Paying Ceremory" |
|
Take
photos with Champions,
Look & Learn MuayThai Culture,
Test & Try MuayThai Techniques with the Masters!
|
|
The
Concept Of Wai Kru
| | 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 >>
| | Informing
the Spirits Ceremony (Buwong Suwong) |

| 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.
| | 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.
| | 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.
|
|