Dhammic Life

The 1st day of the 9th lunar month marks the begining of the nine day long Nine Emperor Gods (九皇爺 - Hockien : Kau Ong Yeah/Kew Ong Yeah)(Cantonese : Kau Wong Yeah) vegetarian fast.

The strict (you'll find out why I say strict as you read on) vegetarian fast begins on the end of the 8th lunar month for those fasting for the whole duration of the festival,ending on the midnight of the 9th day of the 9th month.

Believers may choose to fast the full 9 days, last 3 days or the last day. Reasons may vary ~ ranging from prayers for health, education, carrier or just simply want to feel 'purified'. On the duration of the vegetarian fast, believers can feel a certain degree of spiritual lightness and can even feel a very strong force near them, could be divine signs. I myself can stand to testify that.

Chinese folk religion adherents believe that a strict vegetarian diet makes one spiritually and physically pure because of the absence of dead carcasses (in other words, meat) in the body.

Believers of the Nine Emperor Gods observe a very special vegetarian fast. The diet is entirely vegetables : no garlic, onion, and all those pungent bulbs as they are believed to aggravate craving for pleasure, no diary or egg based products allowed as these come from animals, thus deemed impure. Cooking and dining utensils should be new (I’ve to make do with washed and cleaned cooking utensils), should use new toothbrush, no wearing anything leather, in short all things must not come from animals or contaminated with meat. That is indeed a very strict definition of 'pure living'!

Some people who cannot partake in this festival. These people are considered 'impure':

1. people in the mourning period (end of the mourning period is 3 years after the deceased death date)
* to the Chinese, respect must be given for deceased family members before any divinities, family ties is foremost. Therefore, the Chinese will not join in any festivals that has to do with divinities, marriage or celebrate the new year until the end of the mourning period.

2. women having period (menstrual blood is considered 'impure', it is not proper to go to any sacred area or do any rituals when having period)

3. people born under certain Chinese astrological signs, varying each year (some astrological signs may clash with the 'Thai Sui Yeah',the divinity in charge of the year, therefore improper to partake in the festival's processions and rituals. A notice will be pasted outside to inform devotees.)

I'm one of the believers of these ancient deities. As far as I know, the worship of these Nine Emperor Gods are particularly pious in Penang (famous shrine [九皇大帝 - Abode Of The Nine Emperors] being the hill-top temple in Paya Terubong- 'Cheng Jee Chan'- literally meaning 1,200 steps) , parts of Kedah (especially Sungai Petani), Perak, parts of Selangor (Ampang), Negri Sembilan (Kuala Pilah), Johor (Muar, Segamat).

I inherited the worship of these deities and the annual 9 days vegetarian fast from my late maternal grandmother. She was a very devoted believer. She would observe the vegetarian fast for the full 9 days duration. She began observing the 9 day vegetarian fast annually without fail since her early teenage years till the last years of her life. She fasted for her parents' longevity and good health. Now, it's my turn to fast to pray for my parents' good health, brother's future, family members' safety, my students' examination, my friends' safety and world peace.

If each Nine Emperor Gods' temples around Malaysia were to host a Testimonial session, I believe it will take forever for the untold miracles the Gods perform to be brought forward before an audience. Most miracles heard were cures from illness, solved spiritual problems and blessed businesses. These Gods are known to solve spiritual problems most effectively, taking with Them the evil spirits on a ride out into the sea at the last day of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival - problems solved forever!

A Hockien word describes such power - 'Siah', meaning very powerful spiritually. Personal experience - scored good results in UPSR, got to enter University (You wouldn't believe a person like myself would be able to enter university! Ask me personally for the full story), got a stable job immediately after graduation : I attribute these blessings partly to the annual fast I partake together with my grandmother since young.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT? - YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!