Worshiping Buddha images or wearing Thai amulets is perhaps no longer a Thai culture privy to Thais. The successful spread of Thai Buddhism around the world has also brought around Thai culture to many countries. Many people are either worshiping Buddha images or wearing Thai amulets for various reasons and there is no one universal standard applicable to what type of Buddha image or amulet should be worshiped or worn. It all depends on an individual’s belief, value, and objective. For many people the most intrinsic reason for worshiping a Buddha image or wearing a Thai amulet is either spiritual or psychological comfort. Yet, to others, it may merely be a matter of trend or decoration. However, whatever the reasons may be, the power of Phuttakhun, Thammakhun, and Sangkhakhun behind this action then brings about progress and prosperity in life for that individual.
Different people have different preferences for different types of Buddha images and amulets. In fact, Thais usually worship and wear multiple Buddha images and amulets. Amongst the many Buddha images and amulets, there is an image or amulet the Thais classify as the number one sacred object, it is considered the highest divine power of all, and that is their Birthday Buddha. In this article, we will introduce you to the Phra Prajamwan or Seven Days Buddha.
According to Thai astrology and belief, people who are born on different days of the week innate certain general but unique characteristics that are a mixture of both good and bad attributes in life. Therefore, in Thai Buddhism, there are a total of 8 Buddhas known as Phra Prajamwan acting as Birthday Buddhas to enhance those good characteristics and make good for the bad ones.
Sunday Buddha
A person born on Sunday is said to be in the position of the Sun and is ambitious, determined, sincere and generous but, at the same time, impatient and quick-tempered. Owing to these birth characteristics, a person born on Sunday is prone to unknowingly create as many enemies as he makes friends. He just has too much fire in him.
Therefore, the Birthday Buddha for Sunday, Phra Prang Thewaynet, depicts Buddha in a standing position, eyes looking downward, and right hand overlapping left hand on lower abdomen (Phra Phela), a posture symbolising Sangvorn, looking at the Phra Sri Maha Bodhi tree. It is a representation of calm and peace which are attributes needed to reconcile the negative characteristics inherent of Sunday. The Sunday Buddha also symbolises the Fire element.
Chant for Worshipping Sunday Buddha
u the tan yan chak ku mae ka ra ja ha rissa wanno pat tha wi papa phaso
tang na massa mi harissa wan nang pa tha wi papa pha sang ta ya cha
kut ta vi hare mu ti wa sang yep rah ma na we ta ku sa pa tham me te me
namo te cha mang pa la ya na tu nama tu put ta nang nama tu phi ya
namo wi mut ta nang namo wi mu ti ya e mang so parit tang kat wa mo ro
ja ra te sana
a pe tan yan jak ku mae ka ra ja harissa wan no pat tha wi papa phaso
tang nama sa mi harissa wan nang pata wi papa pha sang ta ya cha
kut ta vi hare mu rat ting yep rah mana we ta ku sap tham me te me
namo te cha mang pa lay an tu nama tu put ta nang nama tu phi ya
namo wi mut ta nang namo wi mu ti ya e mang so parit tang kat wa mo ro
wa sama kap pa yi ti
Monday Buddha
A person born on Monday tends to have a charming character that attracts people. However, contrary to his charm, he is also an individualistic and competitive person, thus, often losing humbleness. Owing to the contrasting characteristics, he often does things unexpectedly that cause uneasiness to other people, thus, losing favourable position and harming long-term relationships.
Therefore, the Birthday Buddha for Monday took the standing posture with either one (Prang Pranaya) or both (Prang Praban) hands raised to the chest with palm(s) forward signifying forbidden action or simply “Stop!” The gist is to stop, introspect, and think before rash decisions and actions. The Monday Buddha also symbolises the Water element.
Chant for Worshipping Monday Buddha
yan thu nimit tang xa wa mang kha lay ca yo ca ma na po sa ku nassa sath tho papa kha ho thu su pi nang xa kan tang phutha nu pha we na wi na sa men tu
yan thu nimit tang xa wa mang kha lay ca yo ca ma na po sa ku nassa sath tho papa kha ho thus su pi nang xa kan tang thamma nu pha we na wi na sa men tu
yan thu nimit tang xa wa mang kha lay ca yo ca ma na po sa ku nassa sath tho papa kha ho thu su pi nang xa kan tang sangkha nu pha we na wi na sa men tu
Tuesday Buddha
A person born on Tuesday is carefree, un-ambitious, and does not care much about long-term planning. He does what he wants and what comes to mind without consideration of consequences and impact on others. Therefore, the life of a person born on Tuesday tends to be volatile especially when it comes to work and finance. Another shortcoming is that he rarely has any real friends. What is needed in order to have a stable life is a mindset of planning, sequencing of ideas, and goals setting.
Therefore, Tuesday Buddha Prang Pla Surintrahu takes on the reclining posture, lying on his right side with right hand supporting the head and left hand rested on the body. The Buddha symbolises nirvana and in order to enter nirvana the mind has to be healed, that is enlightened. Tuesday Buddha also represents the Earth element.
Chant for Worshipping Tuesday Buddha
ya sa nu sa ra ne na pi an ta li k khe pi pa ni no
pa tit tha ma thi kha chan ti phu mi yang wi ya saph pha tha
saph phu path tha wa cha lam ha yak kha co ra thi sampha wa
kha na na na ca mut ta nang pa ri tan tam pha na ma he
Wednesday Buddha
A person born on Wednesday usually has with him an onerous social burden. He often has to support family and relatives. This is primarily due to the nature that a person born on Wednesday finds satisfaction in seeing people around him being happy. Therefore, he has many friends in general but his true friends are only those of older age and higher social status. However, albeit being a very sociable person, he lacks charitable character because his likes entertainment and is being drowned in mundane enjoyment to bother about spirituality. The treasure for a person born on Wednesday is travelling where he gets his fortune.
For those born on Wednesday, his Birthday Buddha can be separated into two, day and night. The Wednesday daytime Buddha is Prang Om Bart in a standing position with both hands holding an alms bowl. It symbolises charity. It symbolises the Metal element. After 6 p.m. the Birthday Buddha is Wednesday night Buddha, Prang Palelai in the Ariyabot sitting on a rock with both hands on his knees but his right palm facing outward. By the sides of Buddha are an elephant offering water and a monkey offering a honeycomb. It represents making merits and characterises the Earth element.
Chant for Worshipping Wednesday Buddha
Day Chant:
saph pha si wi sa cha ti nang thi pha mạn ta kha thạng wi ya
yan na se ti wi sang kho rang se say ca pi pa ri sa yang
xa nak khet tam hi saph phat tha saph pha tha saph pha pa ni nang
saph pha so pi ni wa re ti parit tan tam pha na ma he
Night Chant:
Kin nu san ta ra ma no wa ra hu can thang pa mu ca si
sang wi kha ru po xa kham ma kin nu p̣hi to tit tha si ti
sat ta tha me pha le mu tha chi wan to na su khang la phe
phuth tha kha tha phi khi to hi no ce mu ce ya can thi man ti
Thursday Buddha
A person born on Thursday is usually intelligent and knowledgeable. He develops the habit for deep detail and exquisite work and, thus, always interested in seeking knowledge. However, it is also because of the extent of knowledge that gradually turns him self-centric so much so that he rarely accepts others’ ideas and perceptions. He always wants to be right and thinks he is always right. He has high determination and enjoys making decisions both for himself and others. He craves for fame, honour and position. Owing to the self-centric characteristics, he suffers poor interpersonal relationships and normally ended up with few friends and a strained matrimonial relationship.
Therefore, Thursday Buddha also known as Prang Sammathi is in a meditating posture, legs crossed in half-lotus, right hand over the left hand. It is a representation of enlightenment and attainment of peace and tranquility.
Chant for Worshipping Thursday Buddha
pu ren tam pho ti sampha re ni phat wat ta chat yang
ya sa te che na ta wak khi ma ha sa tang vi wat cha cha yi
thra sa sa sa ri puta sa lo ka na te na pha si tang
u pat tha yi ma maha te chang parit tan tam bha na mae
Friday Buddha
A person born on Friday has a good character and is un-ambitious and easy-going. He is a simple person with a kind heart and is easily contented with life. He has a charitable character, however, his compassion is also his setback as he is often emotional especially over the misfortune of others. He gets angry easily but also forgives as quickly.
Therefore, Prang Rampheang or Friday Buddha stands with both hands raised to his chest, the right hand on-top the left hand in a meditative posture. It represents concentration and firming the heart. Thus, it is also symbolises the Metal element.
Chant for Worshipping Friday Buddha
ya sa nu pha wa to yak kha ne wa tha sen ti phing sa nang
ya hi ce wa nu yu chan to rat tin thi wa ma tan thi to
su khang su pa ti sut to ca pa pang ki ci na pa sa ti
xe wa ma thi khu nu pe tang parit tan tam pha na ma he
Saturday Buddha
A person born on Saturday is tough, bold, and a go-getter. He has a passion of risk-taking and adventure that at times become reckless. He likes to catch attention that are frequently interpreted as being show-off or selfish. Another shortcoming is that he thinks too much, wanting to be sure and careful so much so that he procrastinates over almost everything. Thus, he is usually indecisive, faint-hearted and not resolute. Like work that does not have to be too serious.
The Saturday Buddha has a guardian Naga with him and, hence, is known a Prang Naplok. The Buddha is in the Ariyabha, sits cross-legged, both hands on the lap, right hand on-top the left and the Naga King Mujalin as his seat and shade. It represents wisdom and protection.
Chant for Worshipping Friday Buddha
ya to hang pha khi ni xa ri ya ya cha ti ya cha to
na phi cha na mi say ci ca pa nang chi wi ta wo ro pe ta
te na sa ce na sot thi te ho tu sot thi kha pha sa