Vegetarian Festival

When the gods come down from heaven on a bamboo pole, willing devotees allow a Chinese god to inhabit their bodies for the 10 day duration of the Vegetarian Festival. Those who are mediums for the gods go around shaking, making loud animal like sounds, their eyes are rolled back and looking like they are in great pain. Satan’s power is seen during this festival, as these devotees pierce their bodies as a sign of the power of the gods. As these human gods, who have pierced themselves walk about in the Thailand heat, they must be hydrated constantly. Many don’t show signs of bleeding. In the evening, these gods walk over hot coal fires (something forbidden in the Bible)and walk up dagger ladders.

Many Chinese and Thais will wear white and eat only vegetables to purify their bodies during the festival. Parades are held for people, their households and businesses to be blessed. Fruit, rice, tea, flowers, incense and candles are arranged on a table in front of the residence for the gods. Once the gods come to a site, they dance, throw rice, sprinkle water and oil and drink tea. At business' the gods throw 2 crescent shaped peices of wood to get good luck for the business. All this is done to bless those eagerly waiting hope for their future.

In Krabi, a young lady about 20 years in age was sitting on the tailgate of a pick up truck with rods piercing her cheeks. After taking her picture, Richard walked up to her and whispered in her ear, "Pra-Yay-su" or “Jesus”, just to see what she would do. She looked up and smiled slightly. As he was walking away, a friend of hers on the back of the pick up truck whispered a question which probably was, "What did the western man say to you?". Since she had rods in her cheeks, it would have been hard to talk with any clarity. She got off the back of the truck and lifted her arms up into a horizontal position (like Jesus on the cross). If this is really what she was indicating, it shows clearly that evil spirits are fully aware of Jesus.