The practice of the Magic Skull is known by virtually every Vietnamese. Rumors vary, some say one must obtain the head of a virgin who had been struck by lightning, or died at a certain sacred hour etc…, take it home and recite mantras over it for some months and some days, to empower the female ghost, who could then be ordered to do bad things to serve her master, the shaman. She can also help him/her by giving accurate fortune telling. In reality, such ghost is completely powerless, except being scary to humans.

Yet, in this scientific era, many people still believe in these silly tales, among them was Dada, the monk who not only believed but gave offerings to an elder Cambodian monk to be taught that particular practice.

During a certain auspicious night and at a certain ‘sacred’ time, Dada followed the elder monk to the cemetery. They dug up the soil until they arrived at the coffin. After opening the coffin the old monk sat down and recited many mantras, then enticed the soul by telling her: Why don’t you come with me to my temple, there you can listen to Buddha’s teachings everyday, instead of being so miserable, having to wander around so lonely, hungry and cold …If you agree, sit up to give me your sign of consent.”
The corpse sat up instantly. That’s the sign. Dada then sawed off its head and brought it back to the monastery to start the Magic Skull practice. How naive he was. Even though he is keen on learning and exploring the supernatural, why must he choose such evil practice which does not benefit him whatsoever. He already had the ability in fortune-telling to help him make a living and other powers such as the power to exorcise, to treat ailments like bones and joints strain, swelling, and headaches, which are enough for him to become famous, and at the same time serving his community. Why inviting a useless ghost to his temple and be thought of as an evil sorcerer by people who does not understand such practice.

Later on when Dada met Old Guru, he seemed repentant while he told Old Guru about the skull practice. He said that day he looked at the skull and felt pity for the ghost, so he placed it underneath the Buddha’s altar to help her listen to the Buddhist scriptures recitations. He was truly worried when he told old guru that he often wondered whether he would have to repay this bad karma by having his head sawed off or not.

As to the disciples of Old Guru, during meditation they often had souls of the dead appear to them asking for help in taking refuge in the Buddha. They gave the souls the initiation rite and taught them to chant Buddha’s name or a mantra which allow them to follow Saints and deities for their spiritual cultivation. Thus, neither rotten corpses nor putrid skulls were needed.

Until next time…
Old_Guru 15 -08-08