ACHOR Versus AKONG

Do these two words bring any important meaning to you ? What do you understand with these 2 words ? 
 For most Thai Amulets die hard, when these 2 words are uttered, it automatically understood as a specific name given to late Khron Ratchanaren @ Chau Khun Khron @ Tok Raja and late Chau Khun Chan of Wat Uttamaram, Kampung Teresek Repek, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.There’s no exact and formal documents on the origin of these names, when and who started to use these names. But nowadays, when the word ACHOR is uttered, it automatically reminds us and keep our mind focused on non other than our late Khron Ratchanaren @ Chau Khun Khron @ Tok Raja. Same goes with the word AKONG. AKONG is the name which is referred to late Chau Khun Chan. You can go to any amulet shops, outlets or booths, these 2 words were normal to them and even when you said Chau Khun Khron or Tok Raja, they will automatically counter back and use ACHOR and AKONG.Before my fingers tip keep on pressing the pads and discuss the matter in depth, let’s me clarify clearly about these 2 names according to Kelantanese ( especially those who were lived in Kampung Teresek , nearby kampung and perhaps those who were born before our independent day ! ).First and foremost, when you’re in Wat Uttamaram, do approach and talk to the Kampung Teresek old folks, ask them about TOK RAJA and ACHOR, you will see the weird face expression from them and when you say…… Than Chau Khun, they will ask you back, “Which chau khun you are referring to ? “ When you say…… Chau Khun Khron, they will nod their head and start their story about Tok Raja. Pay attention to their diction and choice of words. Most of them will use /say “PHOR THAN KONG” when they’re referring to TOK RAJA. These old folks will use “THAN CHAN” whenever they’re referring to late Chau Khun Chan. You will surprise as neither ACHOR nor AKONG were used by them.Furthermore, if you are lucky enough to meet Long Chei, Wat Uttamaram former caretaker, do ask him about Tok Raja and his story, and again you will hear the name “PHOR THAN KONG”. You can even ask the janitor or even the cook about PHOR THAN KONG and something that I can promised you is, you will surprise with the answer / feed back given. They will use “PHOR THAN KONG” instead of TOK RAJA or ACHOR whenever they’re referring to Chau Khun Khron !

Do you have any proof to claim or to support your statement ?From where you get this piece of information ?

My further explanation to support my claims are............

According to Chinese custom and tradition, the word ACHOR is used when we’re referring to grandfather’s father or in a simple words, great grandfather. While ACHOR CHOR is a phrase that commonly used when we’re referring to our great great grandfather or ancestors.

The word AKONG is used by Chinese ( mostly Hokkien ) when they’re referring to their father’s father or grandfather.

Why Phor Than Kong ?

PHOR + THAN + KONG = PHOR THAN KONG

PHOR THAN = MONK

KONG = THE OLD, RESPECTED, GREAT and SUPERIOR yet POWERFUL

PHOR THAN KONG is the name and title given to Tok Raja during his era. PHOR THAN KONG brings the differs connotation to Kelantanese. PHOR THAN KONG is actually name given to Tok Raja because of his superior and owned a superb sacred power ! No one can challenge him and he even gained respect from Malay folks and Bomohs !

Just like TUAR PEK KONG ( Topekong in Kamus Dewan ), DATUK KONG, KUAN GONG, TU DI GONG, JI GONG. The word KONG or GONG brings the same meaning, connotation and status. All prominent deities names above followed with the word KONG / GONG.

Topekong ( Kamus Dewan, third edition, page ), Tua Pek Kong ( 大伯公 ) means keramat atau roh yang dipuja oleh orang-orang keturunan Cina. Tua Pek Kong is one of the pantheon of Malaysian Chinese Gods. It was believed the date Tua Pek Kong arrived in Penang was 40 years before Francis Light in 1746.

Datuk Kong / Gōng (Na Tuk Kong 拿督公 )

The religious belief of the Datuk Keramat worship can be found in Malaysia, Singapore and along the Strait of Malacca. It is a fusion of pre-Islamic spirit belief, Sufi saint worship and Chinese folk religion. According to local Malay legend, all Datuks were once human and were considered the "Forefathers of The Land" and sometimes also known as the "Spirit of The Land" as the locals would call them.

Guān Gōng / Kong ( 關公 )

Guan Gong was deified as early as the Sui Dynasty and is still being worshipped by Chinese people today, especially in southern China. He is respected as the epitome of loyalty and righteousness.

Ji Gong / living Buddha ( 济公)

Ji Gong was a monastic in the Linji Chán school. Known for his eccentric behavior and compassionate nature, Ji Gong is deified in the Taoist community often invoked to assist in worldly affairs, while Buddhists invoke Ji Gong in folk stories.

Tu Di Gong ( 土地公 ) is an indigenous earth god worshiped in in East Asia, whose roots stem from China. A popular deity, he is worshiped by Chinese folk religion worshipers and Taoists. A formal name for Tu Di Gong is Fúdézhèngshén (福德正神), meaning the earth god of wealth and merit.

( adapted & adopted from Kamus Dewan and Wikipedia )

........ so on and so forth. Most of the Chinese deities/ gods names above were followed with the word GONG / KONG. Which means THE OLD, RESPECTED, GREAT and SUPERIOR yet POWERFUL !

Nowadays, most of us assume that the term PHOR THAN KONG brings the same meaning and connotation to AKONG.( 公公 – Grandfather ). Most of us think that, after Tok Raja passed away and Chau Khun Chan was replacing Tok Raja as Wat Uttamaram abbot and awarded with the CHAU KHUN title then. It’s a normal thing to call ACHOR ( 祖先 zǔ xian, great-grandfather ) for those who are older than our AKONG (公公grandfather ). Therefore, the AKONG title was given to Chau Khun Chan and automatically TOK RAJA is our ACHOR ( 祖先great grandfather ). That’s the fact and main reason why the words / names AKONG and ACHOR been used widely when we’re referring to Chau Khun Chan and Chau Khun Khron.

Something that cannot be denied is, when the time goes by, this phrases undergone a transformation processes plus there’s no written evidences about the real name of KHRON RATCHANAREN used during his era ( BE 2468 – 2505, appointed as Wat Uttamaram chief abbot until reached his parinibanna ). Most of us just take these things for granted and assumed that ACHOR and AKONG were the actual and right names to be used when we are referring to Tok Raja and Chau Khun Chan.

SOMETHING TO BE PONDERED............

The word “KONG” means grandfather and “CHOR” means grandfather’s father according to Chinese customs and believes, along with this adaptation, only then the word “Achor” is used when we’re referring to late Khron Ratchanaren and “Akong” is used when we’re referring to late Chau Khun Chan. Athough the adaptation and transformation processes taken place for most of the Thai Amulet die hard nowadays but Long Chei, Wat uttamaram committee or other Kampung Teresek folks are still using / calling Khron Ratchanaren as PHOR THAN KONG instead of PHOR THAN CHOR ! None of them applied this changes. They’re still using PHOR THAN KONG…………..

PHOR THAN KONG this .......

PHOR THAN KONG that .......

PHOR THAN KONG says .......

PHOR THAN KONG uses ......

PHOR THAN KONG’s Phakhawan .......

As I mentioned above, as for us ( Kelantanese ) ACHOR and AKONG are actually names given to Tok Raja and Chau Khun Chan according / following the Chinese custom and tradition. It’s not the real name used by Wat uttamaram committee or Kampung Teresek folks. Therefore, we firmly believed and stick to the “ PHOR THAN KONG”, the real name used by local folks when we’re referring to late Khron Ratchanaren.

As for us, the term KONG ( 公) as in PHOR THAN KONG is not from the ( 公公 – Grandfather ) but the as the KONG ( 公) in deities / gods names which is means THE OLD, RESPECTED, GREAT and SUPERIOR yet POWERFUL ! So Phor Than Kong can be defined as THE OLD, RESPECTED, GREAT and SUPERIOR yet POWERFUL MONK !

What’s wrong with ACHOR and TOK RAJA ?You such a **** and *** **** !Are you trying to be smart here ?

That were 2 words and 2 sentences of compliment and token of appreciation that I get from my blog readers. These guys claimed that I’m bluffing and create such the stories just to gain popularity. They even scolded me……….

” hey bro, dun try 2 b smart, if u dunno, just shut the **** off ! “.

When I asked them to come out with the correction and contribute the ideas about Tok Raja to be shared. They said………..

“ What 4 ? Dun trap me la….. u just wanna 2 kena me only ! “
“ Ha ha, I won’t share with u, cos then u’ll claim it urs ideas then ! “

Some even worse……….

“ I don’t know, but I know the information is wrong and misleading, Kelantan Sultan hd honoured the title. I know it from my friend which are also from Kelantan. “

Sorry if my stories, comments, thoughts and discussion hurt someone out side there ! Actually, nothing’s wrong with these 2 names and please take notes that, I’m not trying to be smart either ! ACHOR and TOK RAJA bring the same meaning and connotation to the Thai Amulets die hard. We are still referring to the same KHRON RATCHANAREN of Wat Uttamaram right ? The discussion and the matter were brought out to be discussed here just to share and throw out the view from OUR POINT OF VIEW ( Kelantanese’s view ).

For your information, I’m neither representing any person, individual nor organization. All discussed view and ideas were merely from my personal point of view, as one of the Kelantanese who knows a little about Khron Ratchanaren and try to share this little tiny knowledge with others out there. NEITHER words, phrases, clauses NOR sentences from the discussion were purposely created to insult and annoy anybody.

ACHOR and TOK RAJA are widely used by recent Thai Amulets die hard, collectors and even amulet experts. When these 2 words are uttered, it automatically reminds us on our late Khron Ratchanaren of Wat Uttamaram. As I mentioned in my earlier post ( KHRON RATCHANAREN versus TOK RAJA ), I have discussed in depth about TOK RAJA phrase and its origins from Kelantanese point of view. From the discussion, I have agreed and came to the certain point that TIME CHANGES EVRYTHING, sometimes we need and have to adapt and adopt the changes, otherwise we’ll be left behind. The discussion above were just merely a sharing of thought !

Because as for me, I’m firmly believed that..........

“ They May Not Be Important To One, But May Be So To Another “