Haole "seekers of the truth" often ask Daddy (David K.) Bray about the use ritual and the details of the ritual used by the Hawaiian Kahuna.
In asking, the haole seems to say, "Was it the use of a certain ritual which unlocked the door to the Kahuna's spiritual power? Was it the repetition of certain words? The use of images and stones or the offerings?"
Daddy Bray answers that the rituals of old Hawaii had exactly the same reason and purpose as the rituals of Christian churches today: to give the people an opportunity to take part in a service which communes with God (gods).
Ritual meant the same to the Hawaiian as a Communion service or Mass to the Christian.
RESPECTED KAHUNA
Because the knowledge of ritual was limited to the Kahuna, the old Hawaiians held their Kahunas in far greater respect than most hold their priests or pastors today.
The Hawaiian thought of the Kahuna that could contact the heavenly powers and transmit divine powers to the people.
The Kahuna had to perform along and tedious ceremony to purify himself and the place where he worked before he could begin his service. He had to be able to offer "a pure heart."
He asked his aumakua (personal saint) to "sit on his back" and protect him. Then he began his long prayers inviting the gods to attend and participate in his offerings.
He confidently asked all the gods to attend (good forces as well as evil) because he had his aumakua sitting on his back to protect him and keep out the evil forces.
He said his prayers before images of the gods because the image helped him concentrate on the prayer and keep his purpose in mind - just as a Catholic uses a Rosary.
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| Kahuna of Old Hawaii |
DIDN'T WORSHIP IMAGE
The Kahuna directed his prayer to the images, but he did not worship the image. He knew that his god was a spirit with the power to descend to earth.
Once he knew the gods to be present and participating in the offerings, then the Kahuna made his requests.
He asked for the general welfare of the people and the chiefs at a regular ritual.
He asked for the welfare of certain persons at service conducted for the particular person.
NEXT: Offerings.
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