Tag Archives: magic

The Truth of Tattooing Talisman (ความจริงของการสักยันต์)

 

Sakyan or Just Modern Tattooing

 

Tattooing of talisman or “sak yan” originated from time immemorial and it entails special rituals of “wai kru” before it can be done. The tattooing of talisman is not mere tattooing. It is something magical and purposeful. Conventionally, the tattooing of magical talisman is performed by a handful of learned guru masters for only a selected number of their disciples mainly for strengthening of their mind and, exceptionally, for battling evil forces or as their successors. These talismans are usually representation of animism together with ancient inscriptions. Each design and form of talisman carries with it a different alchemy and it is the master who chooses the designs to be tattooed on the individual disciples and what type of mystical knowledge he will impart to the latter. Basically. the disciples do not enjoy the liberty of choice.

 

The Ritual of “Wai Kru” (ไหว้ครู)

The ritual of “wai kru” is a serious ceremony. It is also a grand ceremony whereby both Gods and human come together to witness the initiation process. In the presence of both the immortals and mortals, an individual begs to be accepted as a disciple and takes an oath to abide by certain rules and regulations, including the “dos and don’ts” of the specific lineage. Different masters may impose varying stipulations but those in common are as follow:

 

The recipient of magical tattoo will (1) observe the taboos imposed by the master; (2) adhere to canon laws; and (3) exercise self-restrain. There are also some universal taboos imposed by the various masters, amongst other things, (a) refrain from immoral practices; (b) refrain from being un-filial; (c) refrain from certain types of food, e.g. food offered in funeral; (d) refraining from walking under clothe hangers and bamboos; (e) refrain from allowing a woman to cross over the body and et cetera.

 

When the master agrees to accept the requestor as his disciple, he will instruct the latter to make offerings to Rheesi, the witnessing Gods and ancestors. Tributes in the process include (1) joss sticks; (2) candles; (3) flowers; (4) gold leaf foils; (5) betel nuts; (5) cigarettes; (6) liquor; (7) baisri; (8) coconut; (9) banana; (10) 7 types of fruits; (11) tea; (12) cooked and raw pig’s head; (13) cooked and raw duck; (14) cooked and raw chicken; (15) cooked and raw shrimps; (16) cooked and raw fish; (17) raw pork, heart and liver; (18) raw eggs; (19) pastries; (20) sesame seeds; and water.

 

Tributes for Waikru

Photograph extracted from http://upic.me

 

When this ritual of “wai kru” is completed, only then will the master tattoo for his disciple and impart to him the magical knowledge. It is important to understand that a talisman tattoo has to be in a certain position where it should be for it to produce magical effect. Tattooing a talisman in the wrong position of the body will bring about counter-effect and extreme bad luck.

 

The Modern Trend of “Sak Yan” (สักยันต์)

 

 

Up-to-now, the ancient tradition of “wai kru” is not and cannot be dispensed with if the “sak yan” process is to be meaningful and useful. However, many laypeople, both men and women, are having their bodies tattooed but few actually went through the process of “wai kru” least being taught the secrets of activating the power of those talismans tattooed.

 

People nowadays went on tattooing talisman for a variety of reasons, ranging from the desire of wealth and invincibility to melancholic craving for love and sexual attraction. They choose their own tattoo designs and where they want them to be tattooed. They have very little knowledge and understanding of the tradition of “sak yan” (although many pretended as if they know a lot!).

 

What Happened to the Power of Invincibility?

 

corpse with talisman tattoos

Photograph extracted from www.dailynews.co.th

 

Furthermore, most secular or individual who perform popular tattooing of talisman without due consideration for the traditions is not a real master. Such individuals are at best tattoo artists who allows clients to choose their own designs and where they want the talismans to be tattooed. Both the tattoo artist and clients are eager to build a reciprocal relationship without the onus of rituals of “wai kru” and the precepts flowing there-from. Therefore, at the end of the day, the tattoo artist gets paid for his work and his clients get the required symbol tattoo on the surface of their skin.

 

Although this revelation may be crude but take a look around you and analyze your observation critically. How many of those who had had their bodies inked with talisman through the modern process have prospered, gained social acceptance, charmed others, and are really invincible? Or has the ink appearing on their bodies, especially their necks, hands, and legs projected them negatively and impressing on the general public a subculture of hooliganism that is being frowned upon?

 

Does She Look More Attractive with Tattooed Talismans?

 

girl with talisman tattoos

Photograph extracted from โพสท์จัง Webboard

 

Traditionally, talisman tattoos are supposed to help an individual avoid danger or difficult situation and bestow mental strength and stability but if it, on the contrary, causes one to slip into a subculture of tattoo superstition then the puzzle really needs to be reworked with a little more intelligence.

Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh (สมเด็จพระพุฒาจารย์โต)

Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh

Life size statue of Somdej Toh in Wat Khao

Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh, popularly known as “Ajahn Toh”, “Somdej Toh”, “Luang Pu Toh”, or “Somdej Wat Rahkang” is the most respected monk in the Kingdom of Thailand. His Venerable was the abbot of Wat Rahkang Kositaram Woramahaviharn for 20 years from the reigns of Rama IV to Rama V.

 

Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh was the most prominent guru master who was versed in the art of supernatural, especially metta mahaniyom. He has made and consecrated many powerful Phra Somdej amulets of which formed one of the five most sacred amulets known as Phra Baenjakphraki in Thailand. These Phra Somdej amulets have a current market value of millions of Baht. It is believed owning one of these sacred amulets ensures one’s prosperity and success. Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh has also constructed many large Buddha images during his life time. The most prominent being the standing Buddha image in Wat Indaravihan located in Bang Khun Phrom, Bangkok. His Venerable is highly respected by both the royal families and the commoners from the days when he was still alive until hitherto.

 

A Brief History

 

Somdej Phra HBuddhacharntoh was born in April 17, 2331 in Baan Ta Luang, Ampur Ta Reur, Chanwat Si Ayutthaya during the reign of Rama I, just 7 years after the establishment of Rattanakosin. There are many versions of saying about the birth of Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh. However, none is able to conclusively establish who his parents were. What may be deduced from all those references is that Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh was a native of Ayutthaya and was possibly of royal linage.  

 

Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh was first ordained as Samak Nen Toh in 2343 and subsequently ordained as Phra Phisuk Toh in the year 2350 at Wat Prasi Rattana Sasanaram. His preceptor was Somdej Arayuthwongsaya Somdej Phra Sangkarak. He excelled in both the scriptures and magical practices and became highly respected.

 

During the reign of Rama III, His Majesty conferred the title of Somdej on Phra Phisuk Toh. However, Phra Phisuk Toh refused to accept the honor. He instead travelled the kingdom on foot and built various Buddha images such as Phra Put Saiyak in Wat Satheur, tamboon Tak Luang, chanwat Si Ayutthaya, Luang Phor Toh in Wat Kiat Chayeo, chanwat Angthong and et cetera. All these required huge amount of capital of which Phra Phisuk Toh raised through rituals and miracles.

 

Somdej Wat Rahkang

 

Again during the reign of Rama IV, His Majesty favored making Phra Phisuk Toh the first Phra Ratansamanasak. In the year 2395, Phra Phisuk was made the abbot of Wat Rahkang Khositaram Woramahavihan at the age of 65. However, Phra Phisuk again refused to accept the title conferred by King Mongkut until 2397. Then in 2407, he was conferred the title of Phra Theapkui and became known as Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh Promarangsi.

 

During his tenure as abbot of Wat Rahkang Khositaram Woramahavihan, both Wat Mai Amatarot and Wat Indaravihan came under his purview and influence. Buddha images and amulets were made for these temples by His Venerable.

 

The Awakening of Somdej Toh

 

Phra Sri Ariya Emtatri

 

In the year 2410, Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh embarked on his last sacred construction, the image of Luang Pu Toh or Phra Yern, officially known as Phra Sri Ariya Emtatri, in Wat Indaravihan, also known as Wat Bang Khun Phrom. However, he entered into parinibbana in Wat Bang Khum Phrom on June 22, 2415 when the image was only built up to its navel level. He was then age 84.

 

After his awakening, his teachings remained alive. The first image of Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh was built and housed in Wat Kiat Chayeo in 2444 during the reign of Rama V. Shortly thereafter, another image measuring 40.2 centimeter was built and honored in Wat Indaravihan and another in the meditating posture measuring 48 centimeters was enshrined in Wat Rahkang Khositaram Woramahavihan.As of today, more than a century after his awakening, his followers and believers has transcended beyond the Kingdom of Thailand.

 

Amulets of Somdej Toh

The amulets made by Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh, whether under Wat Rahkang, Wat Indaravihan, Wat Mai Amatarot, or Wat Kiat Chayeo equally remained expensive and highly sought after. However, because each of these amulets has a market value over millions of Baht, not many people can afford them. Even those made and consecrated by his successors are equally expensive and highly sought after. Consequently, replicas and imitations flooded the market and it would be wise to seek authentication from the respective temple if you are about to pay a hefty price for an amulet.

Somdej Phra Buddhacharntoh Mini statue of Somdej Toh

Besides the Phra Somdej amulets, the images of Somdej Toh from Wat Rahkang, Wat Indaravihan, Wat Mai Amatarot, and Wat Kiat Chayeo are also very precious and loved. They range from a few hundred to a few thousand Singapore dollars. It is believed that anyone offering and/or wearing the images of Somdej Toh is blessed with intelligence and protection. This has made the image of Somdej Toh very popular with executives and students.

Luang Phor Somjit (หลวงพ่อสมจิตร) – Master of Charm

Arjarn Somjit

Luang Phor Khantidjitto or more commonly known as Arjahn Somjit Sukho is the most revered and respected Master of Charm and Fortune there ever was. His loving kindness had touched numerous devastated and broken families of which he had helped to rebuild and reunite; and his grace had also been felt by many financial desperadoes whom he helped back onto the path of prosperity. His Venerable had in his lifetime performed so many miracles that touched the lives of  many people from the United Kingdom of Thailand to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and to as far as Australia, New Zealand, and the United States of America. He has devoted his entire life to serving the true Lord Buddha and he had learned, practiced, and taught the Faith well. He was dedicated to enhancing and bettering the lives of people that in his lifetime he had made various images, amulets, and talismans to such effects and purposes.

 

A Brief History of Luang Phor Somjit

 

Ajahn Somjit was born in Ayutthaya and has since childhood took a strong interest in Buddhist studies, taking special interest in spirituality. He has a benevolent character and loved helping people, especially those poor and sick. From young, he showed great respect for monk observing the Sivali precept and would make offerings to these monks and listen to their Dharma. Therefore, at the age of twenty-three, he finally entered monkhood at Wat Chaojit and assumed the name of Phra Kantidjitto.

 

After building a good foundation in Buddhism, Phra Khantidjitto left Wat Chaojit for Wat Nak-tang Nai and came under the mentorship of the well known guru master Luang Poo Chung. His intelligence and kind character won the approval and trust of Luang Poo Chung who eventually officially accepted him as his disciple. Luang Poo Chung imparted his knowledge and skills unreservedly to Phra Khantidjitto who mastered and practiced well. Luang Poo Chung was very pleased with the progress of his disciple and saw in him great potential of bringing the spiritual studies and skills of Thai Buddhism to a new height. One night, he summoned Phra Khantidjitto to his kutip and instructed his disciple to leave the temple for the jungle in the north.

 

Phra Khantidjitto obeyed and carried out his mentor’s instruction without hesitation and headed for the jungle. Initially, he felt uneasy and was extremely wary of animals and reptiles in the wild. However, whenever he felt the chill gnawing his heart, he would begin chanting as well as meditation. His intelligence and wisdom grew by the day and within a short period he felt at peace, realizing fear is but an illusion and he was therefore able to merge himself with nature. He headed deeper into the jungle until he met the spiritual guru master Luang Poo Wai who had then spent sixty years in the jungle. Phra Khantidjitto spent six years learning from Luang Poo Wai in the jungle. By the time he left Luang Poo Wai, Phra Khantidjitto was not only a great master in spiritual powers but he also had his heavenly eyes opened whereby he was able to see the past, present, and the future.

 

Phra Khantidjitto was only thirty-two years old when he left the jungle. He headed for Krungtheap by bare feet, observing the Sivali precepts. Along his way, he visited numerous temples and exchanged his learning with many well known abbots before he finally settled down in Wat Rahkang in Bangkhunpom district. He became known as Ajahn Somjit as he taught in the temple. After two years, he voluntarily moved to Wat Noi Nanghong which was then only a small wooden temple at Bangyikang and helped built it into a huge and prominent temple as it is today.

 

In the course of helping to build Wat Noi Nanghong, Ajahn Somjit began performing rituals and conducting ceremonies for believers and at the same time he had also make various holy images and amulets that help believers in their charisma, fortune, career, and family. Amongst his more prominent works are: Petcherukhan, Ying-tong, Bpatit, Somdej leknampit, Somdej ner-wan, Somdej Sam-heng, Somdej Heng-talot, Khunpan leknampit, Khunpan pim-lek, Kumanthong, Sekti-Sivali-Nana-thong, Pidta, and many more.

 

Our Affiliation

 

Master Tan was officially ordained in Wat Noi Nanghong by ChaoKhun Pratheap of Wat Pathom Chedi and was accepted as a formal disciple by Luang Phor Somjit. Master Tan learned and practiced under His Venerable guidance for many years and remains, hitherto, affiliated to the various temples in the linage. Therefore, we are committed to our mission, values and culture and incremental thereof, we make available to you only the genuine ones originating from the respective temples.