[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)Mr Choo, who is also a member of the Society of Paranormal Investigators (SPI), said that needle and talisman insertion is a 'folkloric practice - but it lets you practise Buddhism as well'.

As head of the SPI's unresolved mysteries section, he is also letting other members study his experiences.

'I've been studying the various practices in Thai spiritualism, like needle insertion, for years,' he said.

'I used myself as a test subject. SPI members took photos and videos of the insertion process so there will be material for study in future.'

The insertion was not painful, he claimed. It was 'just like an ant-bite'.

The talismans are inserted in the throat, arms and abdomen area using a syringe.

They are supposed to protect the owner from physical danger, like accidents.

'But only if the person's spiritual belief is there,' added Mr Choo.

If inserted in the throat, the talisman is supposed to 'enhance speech, singing and persuasive powers'.

Using only the fingers, the needles can be inserted in the back of the arms, the chest, near the temples, the forehead, back and legs.

Archan Numdit said: 'The needles forewarn against danger by poking the person.

'If the person's 'mindfulness' is good, he will be warned about three days in advance. But most people will be warned about 10 to 15 minutes in advance.'

According to Mr Choo, they can even warn against being sold a fake diamond or getting caught for a traffic violation. Once again, these claims are unverifiable.

Believers said they accept that the needles' 'power' may all be in the mind.

Archan Numdit claimed: 'The needle is like a middleman for Buddha's teachings.

'A lay person needs something to motivate and inspire them to follow the precepts, which will help calm thoughts and increase mindfulness.'

Mindful of cost, one might ask: How much?

Each needle or talisman costs $60.

Part of the proceeds will go towards completing the construction of Wat Dongweewek, the temple near Hua Hin that Archan Numdit said he is from.

The monk added he reserved the right to turn some people away.

'I've rejected people who come in with many wants - a big house, a big car, a rich spouse. Or those who want to gamble and ask to prosper,' he said.

'A person in yellow robes (a monk) is not supposed to give out lucky numbers.

'I'll advise the person to live within his means and to do more for charity. The person who strikes lottery is the one who has done lots of good deeds.'

Disinfectant

The monk says a short prayer over each person before swabbing the area of insertion with disinfectant.

Salesman Charles Huang, 26, had two needles inserted near his temples and one in his chest on 3Nov.

He gave it a try after hearing about the monk.

He said: 'I was worried about infections initially, but I saw the bottles of sterilising alcohol and felt better.

'I'm hoping for better judgment so customers will like my recommendations. I also want the ability to stay calm when people try to be 'funny'.'

Archan Numdit said he himself has many needles in his body, but declined to give a figure, saying the number does not matter.

Smiling, Mr Choo said: 'The metal detector at the airport was not triggered by Archan when he arrived here.'

This story was first published in The New Paper on Nov 13, 2008.