Jaydee of the Year of Birth Part 2 – Secrets of Worship for the last 6 Chinese Zodiacs

 

 

In this article, we will continue to provide advice and information for those who are born in the year of the Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

7. The Year of the Horse

People born in the Year of the Horse should pay respects at Phrathat Yangkung

or Shwedagon Pagoda, in Yangon, Myanmar. They may also opt to pay respects at Phra Borommathat Jaydee, in Wat Phra Borommathat, Ban Tak District, Tak, Thailand. The design of the latter, was modelled after the former.

 

 

According to legend, The Lord Buddha’s first port of call in Tak was Doi Mahi Yangka

(the name of the mountain). He presented the resident saint with a lock of his hair and ordered that it be interred there following his ascension to nibbana. The temple was later built on this holy site. There is no set date for Khuen Phrathat here.

 

Katha to pay respects

namo tutsa phakhawato arahato samma samphutthatsa (3 time)
summasumphuttha nalata autthi jatugesathatuya khanthawa rung thitung parama thatu jaytiyung ahung wanthami supphatha

 

8. The Year of the Goat

People born in the Year of the Goat should pay respects at Phrathat Doi Suthep

, in Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

 

The temple site was chosen by an elephant carrying holy relics. Originally the relics were to be enshrined at Wat Suan Dok

in 1371, but during the arduous journey, they fractured into two. The second piece was placed atop an elephant, and the lumbering beast began its ascent of Doi Suthep, stopping twice along the way.

After three days, the elephant finally climbed to level ground, where it traced three weary circles in the dirt, knelt down and promptly died. The elephant was buried, and a 7-meter tall pagoda was erected over the grave. The relics were interred in the pagoda. The site also attracts many other visitors wanting to make merits. Homages are paid on the Full-moon day of the ninth lunar month; the day of Khuen Phrathat.

Katha to pay respects

namo tutsa phakhawato arahato samma samphutthatsa

(3 time)

 

Panyawa autsamingyewa chanthima ewatharayung peetaguttaye sasananee yanigeti

– North

 

pathamung uputchung kahapethawa phattajeewarung yung yung chatung sungkhamutche putcha suwaha

– South

 

mokkhapathamawarung apayaniwaranung arahung sukkhasopanung

– East

 

suwannajaytiyung gesawaramutthulongkhang warunyathatung sutewanamakung nara

– West

 

9. The Year of the Monkey

People born in the Year of the Monkey should pay their respects at Phrathat Phanom

, in Wat Phrathat Phanom, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.

This structure enshrines the Buddha’s breast bone, and as such, it is one of the most important Theravada Buddhist sites in the region. It was built in 16th century by the Laotian King Setthathirath

of Lan Xang. On August 11, 1975 at 7 p.m., the entire pagoda tragically collapsed, following days of torrential rainstorm. In response, the Thai and Lao public rushed to raise funds to help rebuild the pagoda, and restore it to its original splendour. Many additional valuables were also donated to the temple. These were placed within, and a new, 110-kilogram solid gold spire was lifted and crowned atop the spire.

 

Each year, a festival is held in That Phanom

to honor the temple. This festival lasts for a week, during which thousands of people make pilgrimages in its honour.

 

Katha to pay respects

namo tutsa phakhawato arahato samma samphutthatsa (3 time)
pu rimaya thukkhinaya putchimaya uttaraya hetthimaya uparimaya thisaya gapanasirisaming punphatemahagutsapenathapitung phuttha urungkha thatung sirasa namami, setchuttung suwannarachatung ratanung paneetung phuttha urungkha jaytiyung ahung wanthami supphatha

 

10. The Year of the Rooster

People born in the Year of the Rooster should pay their respects at Phrathat Hariphunchai

, in Wat Phrathat Hariphunchai, Lumphun, Thailand.

 

 

The pagoda was built to enshrine the Buddha’s crown bone, chest, relics from his fingers, as well as his personal alm’s bowl. The Lanna-style pagoda was raised in the mid-15th century when Lamphun was still part of the Lanna Kingdom. In the 1930s, renovations were done under the Buddhist monk Kruba Srivichai, an exceedingly charitable pillar of the community, and Lamphun native, who in his lifetime was also involved in the repair and construction of over 100 temples, roads, and other projects.

People born in the Year of the Goat popularly pay homages on the Full-moon day of the eight lunar month; the day of its Khuen Phrathat. In addition, every year, in the sixth lunar month, “Song Nam Phrathat Hariphunchai”

or traditional bathing rite for the relics, are conducted (it is the tradition on Songkran festival), using holy water from the “Doi Khamor”. This temple is not only adored by locals, but by a devoted legion of followers from across the world as well.

 

Katha to pay respects

namo tutsa phakhawato arahato samma samphutthatsa (3 time)
su wannajaytiyung hariphunchayutthung waramoleetharung urutthisetthungsaha-angkhulitathing gutjayanena nitaputtupparung seesena maihungparamami thatung ahung wanthami supphatha

 

11. The Year of the Dog

People born in the Year of the Dog should pay respects at Phrathat Ket Kaew Chulamanee

, in Wat Ket Karam, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Phrathat Ket Kaew Chulamanee is believed to be modeled after the Tavatimsa

image of Heaven. This pagoda enshrines Buddha tooth relics, which Indra whisked away from Brahmin Dona and hid, while the relics were being distributed to the Kings of yore. Eyewitness accounts exist of people having seen the Phrathat emanating a dark green aura, and even floating out of the south end of the pagoda, perhaps to visit Phrathat Chom Thong. These accounts have persisted throughout the existence of the pagoda. It led to the practice of using floating Wao Khuan sometime call Khom Loi; to worship on the Full-moon day of the second lunar month; the day of Khuen Phrathat.

Katha to pay respects

namo tutsa phakhawato arahato samma samphutthatsa (3 time)
tawatingsaya purumme gesachulamanee sareerapuppate puchita suppatawanung tungsirasa thatu-uttamung ahung wanthami supphata

 

12. The Year of the Pig

People born in the Year of the Pig should pay respects at Phrathat Doi Tung

, in Wat Phrathat Doi Tung, Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, Thailand.

This pagoda was believed to have been raised during the reign of King Achutharat

of Yonoknakphan. Enshrined within, are relics of the Buddha’s collarbone, which were transported there from India. In the year 1927, the temple was totally ruined. Kruba Srivichai and some Chiang Rai villagers pitched in to restore the temple. Two new bell-shaped chedis were installed, in the Lanna style. That was far from the last renovation, however. The latest was in 1973, conducted by the Ministry of Interior. Two new chedis were built in their exercise, totally shrouding the previous iterations.

 

At least one pilgrimage in a lifetime is considered especially efficacious for people born in the Year of the Pig, as the relics there are believed to be particularly potent at granting blessings. Doing so will bring more happiness and fulfillment to your life. Homages are popularly paid on the 15th day of the 6th waxing moon; its day of Khuen Phrathat.

Katha to pay respects

namo tutsa phakhawato arahato samma samphutthatsa (3 time)
phimpha thachukkha pupphate nachulathatu jirungmahakamana mamihung ahung wanthami supphatha

 

According to ancient beliefs, no amount of temple visits would be sufficient to erase or reverse fated spells of ill luck.  The yearly tradition of paying homages to your corresponding temple however, is believed to help mitigate some of the perils you will face. Worshipping at these temples is believed to help alleviate both the spiritual and mental burdens of devotees, allowing them to live a more carefree, untethered life. This even extends to mere photos or mental snapshots of the temples being used as centers for prayer, reflection and guidance. This ability to set the minds of the devoted at ease, is perhaps the greatest legacy, of this most sanctified of traditions.