[Above: The talismans (top left) and needles (bottom left) are inserted using a syringe (right).]

By Celine Lim

IF you have a fear of needles, you will not be keen to try what businessman Ricardo Choo did.

He got nine gold needles inserted under his skin by a monk, for 'spiritual' reasons.

He believes the needles can help him to concentrate more and to control his temper.

Never mind that doctors do not recommend this unusual practice.

Or that his friend had a bad experience with such an insertion last year.

So enthusiastic was Mr Choo that he flew to Thailand to invite monk Archan Numdit, 46, to Singapore. The monk does needle and talisman insertions.

Archan Numdit claims the needles and talismans provide protection and can improve one's character.

But he cautioned: 'It is not magic. People have to follow some (Buddhist) precepts and chant after the insertion.'

The monk, who was here from Oct 31 to Nov 3, performed insertions at Mr Choo's shop in Golden Mile Complex for about 50 people, mostly Singaporeans.

Mr Choo, 34, who sells religious items, had the needles inserted on 1Nov.

He said he thinks Archan Numdit has carried out such insertions for the past 10 years in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand. This could not be verified.

Besides the finely wrought, 2cm-long needles, Mr Choo also had four talismans inserted during the same session.

Each tubular talisman with a 1mm diameter is made by rolling a thin, 1-sq-cm sheet of gold inscribed with 'blessings' in the Khmer script.

Mr Choo had the needles and talismans inserted in his arms, chest, tummy, back, throat and near his temples.

Speaking through a translator, Archan Numdit said he makes the needles and talismans himself, before praying over them for 'a few months'.

This includes a ritual to prevent the needles from 'attacking' a person's vital organs once they are inserted.

People who get the needles inserted are instructed to refrain from kicking dogs, scolding their parents or other people's parents, having a sexual relationship with another person's spouse and talking while moving their bowels or urinating.

This last injunction is because the person's saliva is considered 'holy' after the insertion of the needles, said Mr Choo.

And it would be disrespectful if any drop of it accidentally falls in the toilet.

The person also has to chant a word, which means Buddha, to himself whenever possible.

However, those who get talismans implanted are not required to follow these instructions. The needles, unlike the talismans, are considered to be 'living', so the belief is that the body has to be made suitable to host them.

(Page 1 of 2)