THAI LERSI & INDONESIAN RESI TRADITIONS
The Thai word "lersi" (or ruesi) and the Indonesian equivalent are both derived from the Indian (Rishi). Originally, it is a term used to define a "Seer". But since the Seers spend most of their time in seclusion, society labelled them as reclusive that is a "hermit", that is someone who stands out of society and devotes himself to the practice of renunciation and is unworldly. He thus strives to attain liberation (enlightenment) through performing ascetic practices such as austerity, fasting, mortification, yoga and meditation.
Lersi Phra Phirab
One of the earlier lersi in Thailand
If however, we examine the contemporary situation for the Lersi in modern day Thailand, then it becomes clear that the traditional role of the Seer has altered significantly throughout the centuries. It seems that today, the Lersi has become an integral part of Thai Hindu-Buddhist beliefs and as such they play an indispensable role in the performance of rituals. But this may seem a rather change from originally being a reclusive, the Lersi suddenly turned into an important spiritualist person who is actively involved in politics and social matters. Though, in fact, in ancient times, the Lersis have always been an important mediators and spiritual mediums in the royal court of Thailand.
The Royal Lersi Brahmin (Phra Ratchakru Wamadhepmuni) having an audience with the
King Of Thailand (Rama 9)
The Lersi Brahmins attending a Royal function before the King of Cambodia (Norodom Sihamoni)
This is a tradition which dates back to the Cambodian Angkor Dynasty, when the Khmer rulers often used to consult Brahmin priests for advice. But where the Cambodian Lersi were (Brahmin) priests of an institutionalized religion (Hinduism), the Thai Lersi are certainly not regarded as strictly Hindu or Brahmin ascetics. For their best form of practice has become inseparable from Buddhism and already existing in animistic beliefs.
The same goes for the Indonesian resi who were important spiritual advisors in the time of the great Hindu empires of Singosari (1222-1292 CE) and the Majapahit (1292 to 1500 CE) but later upon the arrival of Islam on to the forests where they would hide to avoid persecution. Not surprisingly, the word "resi" became a taboo because the general meaning implied a practitioner of Hindu beliefs. Hence, the term "resi" was now being used only to refer to the mythical saints from the past, namely those of the famous Hindu epics such as the Mahabhrata and the Ramayana. And so the Indonesian resi became the key figures in the mystical Kejawen teachings.
Balinese Dukun (Resi)
Wizard participating in the Balinese Lersi(Dukun) Royal Ceremony
Lersi Indonesia (nowadays under the guise of Dukun/Bomoh
The resi practitioner did not entirely disappear from the scence in Javanese society. On the contrary, although they are now rarely called "resi", the people are still very much familiar with the spiritual hermit, but rather do they refer to themselves as "dukun" instead. A dukun however, is a hermit in a broader sense, he is an ascetic, a yogi, a shaman and a herbalist. And just like the Thai Lersi, they make and consecrate amulets and talismans, produce alternative medicine, perform ritual ceremonies and provide astrological counselling. Both the Thai Lersi and Indonesian dukun or resi are believed to be spiritual mediums with powerful psychic abilities.
Dukun/Bomoh are also adepts in herbs & traditional medicine
However, in the Thai Buddhist society there is more room for mystics, and thus the Thai Lersi have successfully managed to establish as ashram of their own within contemporary society. In Indonesia, however, society generally seems to be less tolerant in regards to the path of the resi, which is why often they choose to remain more in the background. Unlike in Thailand, where one can easily find several addresses of various ashrams, the resi in Indonesia usually reside in far more remote areas, away from the big cities. But perhaps, precisely because of reasons as such, the ancient traditions of the Indonesian resi have been well preserved throughout the centuries and are still being practiced according to the traditional ways to this very day.
(Wizard Wong hails from Malaysia, hence, he has a blend of both Thai Lersi and Indonesian Resi traditions, he also has travelled to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos where he has learned from the Lersi, Resi and Saints of different traditions. In Malaysia, Wizard Wong is known as a Bomoh (he's a combination of an ascetic, a yogi, a shaman and a herbalist. He makes and consecrate amulets and talismans, produce alternative medicine and healing, perform ritual ceremonies and provide astrological counselling).
