When science overrides nature in the form of IVF, GIFT, with
a variety of ways to induce pregnancy,
barren women pay homage to clinics professing results. Assisted
Reproduction Clinics has found ways to combat nature’s inability to
multiply. The need to reproduce is in
everyone, at some point in his or her lives.
When what God intended failed; inadequacy, impotency, blame and sadness
befalls these unlucky people. Promises
of ZIFT, Surgical Sperm Recovery,
Ovarian Stimulation and perhaps even the most off putting – Assisted Hatching,
can cause great hope to those inflicted.
One such fertility clinic is Jetanin Assisted Reproduction Clinic in the
city center of Bangkok.
Rows of dolls and paper machè giraffes are paid homage to
the spirit house in front of this very modern building. It reflects the intense longing denied, and
that this country, Thailand, is a mystical and spiritual nation. Sometimes there are no reasons as to why
certain things are and Thais generally do not question the wherefores.
For those wishing to multiply their families,
allow me to show you how the spiritual side sometimes outweighs science.
Five hundred meters to the east of this particular clinic, Chao
Mae Tuptim or Goddess Tuptim shrine, situated quietly by Klong Sansaeb in the
grounds of the Nai Lert Swiss Hotel, tells much of how Bangkokians feel about
spiritual needs. The shrine dedicated to the Goddess is a female fertility
spirit for granting wishes of barren women to conceive. Its
not that they don’t know “how to”, more to the point practice does not make
perfect, and when assisted reproduction failed, what else is there to do?
Chao Mae Tuptim is the place to go.
Although hidden from view, tucked away in the corner grounds
by the canal, infertile women who are desperate to conceive, worship this
shrine. They bring along jasmine
flowers, candles and joss sticks and pray.
The success stories are accounted by many and their offering upon
returning to the shrine is to thank Goddess Tuptim by placing phallic symbols
large and small in the grounds near to the shrine. Chao Mae Tuptim has been
known to prefer phallic symbols although dolls have been left around the shrine
representing the babies that were conceived as a result of the prayers. Men also go there to pray for money as the
phallic symbol also signifies financial prosperity
The grounds are scattered with penis symbols that come in
many forms and sizes made from wood, stone or even plastic, decorated with
ribbons and flowers. Some are an inch
long and some giant sizes as tall as 7 ft. and as many as 300 reside with the
spirit.
Legend has it that there was once a woman who had trouble
getting pregnant. After trying all
possible ways of conceiving, she finally went to the shrine to ask for Chao Mae
Tuptim’s help. Eventually she gave
birth to a healthy baby boy and as a sign of gratitude, she offered a large
wooden phallus to the goddess, others followed suit thus creating a tradition.
God's will, Man's determination or Spirtual intervention .......
you decide!
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| The fight for life |
