From "Khin Phak Shrine" to "Kew Ong Yeah Shrine, Trang Province"

Abstract

This article aims to inform the history and background of Kew Ong Yeah Shrine, Trang Province, as well as to retrieve the year of establishment of this shrine. The researcher investigated and did the fieldwork for data collection by doing surveys, participant and non-participant observation, including formal and informal interviews Wth the targeted population. The researcher also participated in local customs and rituals organized by the'shrine, for example, the vegetarian tradition, the commemoration or the birth and the enlightenment of gods, or even the annual vegetarian festival held in the ninth month according to the lunar calendar organized by Kew Ong Yeah Shrine, which reflects the strong belief and faith of laypersons towards Kiu Hong Tai Te as well as the harmonious combination of traditional practices between Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism. Findings of this study show that the history of Kew Ong Yeah Shrine is very interesting, but it was not recoded in written evidence. The data remained nowadays appear only in the form of oral history record composed by the story telling of local people, such as the senior shrine committee, senior mediums, and people interested in its history. It is abundant in the faith of Chinese gods based on folk beliefs and Taoism beliefs reflecting the faith towards Kiu Hong Tai Te. Laypersons stated that this is a sacred shrine the holiness of which has been shown by holding its ancient sacred rituals, paying homage and making pledges to the God, and participating in yearly vegetarian festival as well. Later, these practices become traditions and local customs. People having faith towards Kew Ong Yeah Shrine feel that they have the spiritual anchor and Kiu Hong Tai Te has protected them from insecurity and also blessed them and their family for security and happiness. This makes their lives smooth and successful in their careers. From all these reasons, Kew Ong Yeah Shrine has always been the spiritual anchor of laypersons whose strong faith has never been disappeared.