Phuket’s Vegetarian Festival : A Detox and Diet straight from Heaven.
The Gods of ancient China descend in October onto the beautiful shores of Phuket Island, Thailand to deliver their lesson in health and wellness.
Quite unlike any other you have attended!
As the health and wellness craze continues to sweep through the island’s lifestyles and businesses, few people realize that detox and cleansing diets have been a part of Phuket’s culture for nearly 200 years. Many of Phuket’s residents have nurtured a tradition of routine body cleansing diet, coupled with meditation and a review of one’s moral worth, since the early 18th century. However, the style and character with which they demonstrate their commitment to the purification process is a million worlds away from today’s chic spa culture and 5-star fad diets.
The Vegetarian Festival is without doubt, one of the most interesting festivals celebrated in Phuket. Every year, over a period of 10 days, the Chinese-Thai populations of Thailand partake in a cleansing of body and soul. And nowhere is the Vegetarian festival celebrated more colorfully than right here in Phuket.
The Vegetarian festival and its traditions lie in the Chinese-Thai culture of Phuket with its interesting mix of Chinese Buddhism and Daoism. During the Vegetarian festival, devotees adhere to a strict vegan diet in an act of spiritual devotion, and in order to gain merit for their future cycle of reincarnate lives.
10 Rules Of The Vegetarian Festival
For all those participating in the Vegetarian festival, there are ten rules which should be followed to avoid attracting spiteful spirits and ill-fortune:
1. Cleanliness of bodies during the festival, including cloths, etc.
2. Purity of mind, refraining from immoral behavior and ill thoughts.
3. Vegan diet, having absolutely no contact with any meat product.
4. Refrain from sex.
5. Refrain from alcohol and all other intoxicating substances.
6. Wear white to symbolize your purification.
7. Clean all kitchen utensils and keep them separate from non-participants.
8. People in mourning should not attend.
9. Pregnant women should not attend.
10. Menstruating women should not attend.
