The PHRA PHUM SPIRIT
Phra Phum is a sanskrit term meaning “guardian spirit of the land”. These spirits or guardian angels inhabit every piece of land and need to be appeased when disturbed. By providing the Phra Phum with a home of its own, serenity and harmony will be assured within the property. As well, when properly celebrated and cared for, Phra Phum will provide protection and ensure wealth and prosperity to the owner.
The SPIRIT HOUSE
The ancient tradition of constructing and ceremonially installing a Spirit House on the property when a new building is planned is still widely practiced. A Spirit House can be seen outside every house, business, hospital, hotel, high rise apartment, restaurant, bar and even at outdoor markets. They are found inside temple grounds and outside caves in the mountains.
The Spirit House must be nicer than the building being constructed so that the Phra Phum will be content with his new home and will not take up residence with the owner. The style and construction vary from simple tin or wooden rural shelters to elaborate palatial houses, complete with gilded spires and soaring roof lines. The house is furnished with objects to keep the Phra Phum comfortable.
The most revered and elaborate shrine to the Phra Phum houses an image of the 4-faced Hindu god Brahma, rather than the conventional Phra Phum. The spirit house is on the grounds of the Erawan Hotel in Bangkok.
During construction it was plagued with a series of accidents. When the workers threatened to quit, a Brahman priest was consulted. He advised that the hotel had been improperly dedicated. When rededicated to Brahma, the Hindi creator-god and patron of construction workers, the accidents ceased. This shrine for the spirit renamed Thao Maha Phra Phum, “the great lord of the place”, has become one of the most popular public sites for special requests and thanks for favors granted. The donation box has provided almost 4 million baht for redistribution to provincial hospitals throughout Thailand.
Traditionally, the site selection and the invitation to the spirit to take up residence in the spirit house is overseen by a Brahman priest or someone who specializes in conducting such ceremonies. The auspicious time and place for it to be held is determined by astrological calculations.
According to folklore, the spirits themselves are either good or evil, but most are just finicky and mischievous, demanding respect from humans and capable of disastrous interferences if they don't get their way.
Offerings to a spirit house and the spirit who is intended to reside within can be nearly anything. The traditional offerings include flower garlands, betel leaves, bananas, rice, chicken, duck, and a wide range of other edibles and non edibles. Candles are often used while incense is usually lit daily before a spirit house.
LOOK UPON THE SPIRIT HOUSE AND YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY