San Phra Phum
San Phra Phum ( Thai : ศาล พระภูมิ - pronunciation: [ sǎːn pʰráʔ pʰuːm ], translated 'shrine of the earth spirits', also: ศาล เพี้ยง ตา - [ sǎːn pʰíːaŋ taː ], 'shrine at eye level') are mostly small, in individual cases but also haunted houses or haunted houses ( shrines for nature spirits ) up to the size of a single-family house in Cambodia , Thailand and parts of Laos and Vietnam . These are remnants of the old animistic beliefs that coexist with Buddhism today .
Haunted houses are built as soon as a plot of land is built in order to appease the ghosts (Phra Phum) who have inhabited the area for the loss of their home and to give them a replacement home on the same plot of land.
In addition to the haunted houses in connection with residential or commercial buildings, there are also shrines in particularly distinctive holy places such as caves, rocks, unusual trees or on city walls. Haunted houses are also often set up on accident-prone streets.
history
There are no reliable sources for the history of the San Phra Phum in chronicles or ancient stone inscriptions. The first European to mention the San Phra Phum in a travelogue was Adolf Bastian , who visited Siam in 1863 . However, there were already miniature temples or palace buildings in the Kingdom of Ayutthaya (1351–1782), the purpose of which has not yet been secured, but in which offerings to the various nature spirits could possibly be made.
construction
The size and design of the San Phra Phum vary greatly depending on the location and the size of the associated building or property. Haunted houses for private homes often look like miniaturized Thai temple buildings. They are made of wood or plaster of paris, stand on a pole or a raised base and are decorated with human and animal figures, candles and offerings. The figures should represent the ghosts or deceased family members or act as dancers to entertain the Phra Phum.
Residents
According to the traditional animistic belief, the world is inhabited by numerous phi (Thai: ผี - ghosts, also: ghosts ), in which the Mon , Thai , Chinese and the mountain peoples of the north have believed for centuries. Phi are part of everyday life, they influence the course of the world. The Phra Phum are a group of the Phi. Her name “Phum” corresponds to the Sanskrit and Pali word Bhūmi ( earth ), “Phra” means honorable , a respectful title. In Thailand they are also called "Phra Phum Chao Thi" (Thai: พระภูมิ เจ้า ที่ - roughly: "owner of the place"), which indicates the function of a protective spirit.
More precisely, there are a total of nine Phra Phum, all of which are said to be brothers. Their names appear to be of Indian origin. While the normal country dweller knows one of the Phum by name at best, only specialists can name all nine. The best known is called "Chaiyamonkhon" (Thai: พระ ชัยมงคล ), it protects the house. It is he who normally lives in a San Phra Phum.
inauguration
In general, a San Phra Phum should have a location where it cannot be hit by the shadow of its associated building. It has to be inaugurated in a special ceremony. This ceremony is performed by a Mo San (Thai: หมอ ศาล - literally "shrine doctor") called Brahmanas or Hindu priest, usually a knowledgeable astrologer . The location and the auspicious inauguration date are determined by him. He uses astrology and various rituals with an animistic or Hindu background. With this ceremony, the spirit (or spirits) is invited to move into its new home. The shrine itself is adorned with small figures that are set up in a fixed order and placement. Colorful ribbons and lotus wreaths also decorate the house.
use
In order to ensure that the ghost does not leave its shrine again immediately, it must be designed more attractively than the main building. For this purpose, offerings are generally regularly deposited in or in front of the haunted house . The inhabitants of the haunted house are often given water or soft drinks , on special occasions also alcohol, such as rice wine , and at least every two weeks the spirits are given fruit , rice , sweets or similar gifts. One can also invoke the spirits to ask them for the fulfillment of an event. This is done through worship and appeasement. Irregular donations are to be paid immediately beforehand.
Different haunted houses
New haunted houses for sale
Haunted house in Thailand ( Ko Chang )
Haunted house in front of a car dealership in Bangkok
Haunted house in front of the Mah Boon Krong department store, Bangkok
literature
- BJ Terwiel : Monks And Magic . Curzon Press, 2nd ed. London 1979, ISBN 0-7007-0126-5
- Ruethai Chaichongrak et al. a .: The Thai House - History and Evolution . River Books, Bangkok 2002, ISBN 974-8225-05-4
- Peter A. Reichart, Pathawee Khongkhuntian: The Spirit Houses of Thailand . White Lotus Press, Bangkok 2007, ISBN 978-974-480-103-6
- Phya Anuman Rajadhon: Chao Thi & Some Traditions of Thai . The National Culture Institute, Bangkok 2499 (1956), (Thai culture series No. 6)
Individual evidence
- ^ Reichart: Spirit Houses , p. 16
- ↑ Terwiel: Monks And Magic , p. 174
- ↑ Baanmaithong - House made of golden wood : Maker of haunted houses (English and Thai)
