|
| about this site |
who we are |
site map |
reading tips |
teaching tips |
student tips |
build vocab |
|
This column is for self
study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill
building practice and vocabulary explanations.
|
|
|
|
Here is what Phra Ratchakru says about the origins of the swing ceremony:
''The swing ceremony originates from an ancient Hindu epic depicting the creation of the world. After the creation, the Brahma god invited Shiva to test the stability of the earth by letting him stand on a mountain on one foot and the Naga serpents were asked to shake the world. If Shiva fell, it meant the world was unstable, but the supreme god didn't fall. Hence, Brahma decided to create humans and living things,'' he said.
The swing ceremony is a re-enactment of the Hindu epic, the priest said.
''Swinging resembles the shaking of the earth by the Naga serpents and the stability of the Giant Swing symbolically means the future prosperity of Bangkok.
''What we learn from this is that everyone should be sensible and exercise mindfulness like the Brahma god.
''The god checked the world's stability first before creating living things,'' said the priest.
The full story is an interesting one and you can read it at http://readbangkokpost.com/articles/bpriest.php . I'll focus instead on another news feature on the giant swing from the same page.
|
origins starting point; beginnings
epic
depicting |
re-enactment repeating the actions of a past event
resemble
serpents |
prosperity the state of being successful, especially in making money
mindfulness |
RED PILLARS RETURN Three days of celebrations to welcome new Giant Swing
City people will be treated to a variety of traditional music and cultural performances, including the Jo Louis puppet theatre, khon mask dance and sepha chanting, during the three-day celebration that starts on September 11. No swing or lo chingcha ceremony will be held during the celebration. But members of the public can get a glimpse of the swing in motion from old photos at an exhibition. Winning entries in the Giant Swing photo contest will also be on display. The city administration began the restoration project in 2003 as the old structure showed signs of wear. The city found the Giant Swing's condition to be beyond repair and a panel responsible for the restoration project decided to replace all of it. Altogether six gold teak trees, more than 20 meters tall, were brought from three forest reserves in teak-rich Phrae province for the project in May last year with permission from local administration bodies and local communities. According to forestry officials, each tree was nearly 200 years old. The tree trunks were processed by a wood-working firm in Ayutthaya province. The work was completed and brought to Bangkok for installation late last year. The original swing has been refurbished several times. A fire which damaged the Giant Swing in 1947 prompted the government to consider demolishing the structure. However, the plan was rejected by the public. The last major work was done on the swing in 1959. The Fine Arts Department registered the Giant Swing as a national heritage item, on November 22, 1949. The legs of the swing were last changed in 1972. The old Giant Swing that was removed from the site last year is now kept at the nearby Devesatan Shrine. The city administration said the new Giant Swing, if well-maintained, should last 100 years. In 2005, the Giant Swing, together with Wat Suthat, was suggested as a future Unesco World Heritage site.
|
