Extreme piercing, Vegetarian Festival in Thailandの写真素材

The Phuket Vegetarian Festival is an annual event held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar. It is believed that the Vegetarian Festival and its accompanying sacred rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe this rite. During this time, local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for the purposes of spiritual cleansing and merit-making. Sacred rituals are performed at various Chinese shrines and temples.During the festival religious devotees slash themselves with swords, pierce their cheeks with sharp objects and commit other painful acts to purify themselves, and they belive that in the way of performing self-torture they take on the sins of the community and shift evil spirits from individuals onto themselves. Their aim is to bring good luck to the community.