Nandaka's natuk kong

For the third year running on the eve of Hari Raya, we’ve been attending a buka puasa worship—Chinese-style—for the resident Natuk Kong shrine at the Nandaka Vihara, joining friends, monastery devotees, and workers. Yellow candles and plenty of joss sticks. Though the Nandaka Vihara is strictly a Theravādin Buddhist monastery, certain local beliefs still persist, including the spiritual presence of Natuk Kong, the guardian of the land on which the monastery stands.

Since Natuk Kong is believed to be of the Islamic faith, special care is taken in preparing halal food. No pork is ever offered to the deity. Last night, we had briyani rice with both chicken and mutton curries—plenty to go around for the occasion. The worship began at around 7.40 pm, just minutes after the official buka puasa time for Penang.

About 50 metres away, a dhamma talk was underway, attended by some 80 people—mostly temporary monks, sayalays and eight preceptors—all absorbed in their practice and completely unaware of our buka puasa activities taking place on the Nandaka grounds.