| LUK KROK |
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Wat Chang Yai has a "Luk Krok" or "child spirit" displayed in a glass cupboard in its
old ordination hall. It has been created years ago by a monk of the Tudong sect (forest
sect), who remained four years at the temple. A "Luk Krok" is at par with a "Kuman
Thong" or "Golden Child". The difference although between a "Kuman Thong" and a
"Luk Krok" is that the first was made in former days from a dead baby inside the womb
of the dead mother, while the second was made of a dead baby or fetus after its birth,
but the mother could be alive.
The way to get a "Luk Krok" is quite bizarre. A dead fetus need to be obtained and dry
burned in order to make a small body. During the process, at an auspicious time, old text
incantations are cast on the body. The person creating the "Luk Krok" will request the
child spirit to enter the body or image and remain there. Due to the black magic, the
image gets strong spiritual powers, some time told even to be dangerous. The "Luk
Krok" is supposed to warn and protect his owner in case of danger.
The story goes that the "Luk Krok" of Wat Chang Yai remained before in the residence
of the monks (kuti). These baby spirits sometimes have a tendency to be naughty. This
was the case here at the monastery. The spirit started to tease the young novice monks
and finally had to be brought to the old ordination hall to be contained.
old ordination hall. It has been created years ago by a monk of the Tudong sect (forest
sect), who remained four years at the temple. A "Luk Krok" is at par with a "Kuman
Thong" or "Golden Child". The difference although between a "Kuman Thong" and a
"Luk Krok" is that the first was made in former days from a dead baby inside the womb
of the dead mother, while the second was made of a dead baby or fetus after its birth,
but the mother could be alive.
The way to get a "Luk Krok" is quite bizarre. A dead fetus need to be obtained and dry
burned in order to make a small body. During the process, at an auspicious time, old text
incantations are cast on the body. The person creating the "Luk Krok" will request the
child spirit to enter the body or image and remain there. Due to the black magic, the
image gets strong spiritual powers, some time told even to be dangerous. The "Luk
Krok" is supposed to warn and protect his owner in case of danger.
The story goes that the "Luk Krok" of Wat Chang Yai remained before in the residence
of the monks (kuti). These baby spirits sometimes have a tendency to be naughty. This
was the case here at the monastery. The spirit started to tease the young novice monks
and finally had to be brought to the old ordination hall to be contained.
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| Text & photographs by Tricky Vandenberg - June 2009 |