Unlucky Charms

[meadish_sweetball]

Unlucky charms

Temples in debt as craze for Jatukham amulets fades

Published on October 22, 2007

Waning public enthusiasm for Jatukham Rammathep amulets has left many Chiang Mai temples in deep financial trouble.

Sales of the talismans are too small to cover what temples spent to have them made.

Some temples have incurred debts in the millions of baht after they borrowed to produce the amulets, unaware their popularity would slump so soon.

Their predicament prompted the Chiang Mai Buddhism Office to organise a fair just for local temples to sell their amulets and earn money to repay their debts.

The one-week amulet bazaar opened last Friday at Lokmolee Temple in Chiang Mai's Muang district with more than 20 temples putting up stalls.

Abbot of Wat Phratat Doikoeng, Luangpor Boonsri, said his temple borrowed Bt5 million to make 200,000 amulets in August. It has sold just 1,000.

Before joining the amulet fair, the temple sought help from private sellers to

market the talismans, he said.

"I have talked to abbots of other temples and they have the same problem. Some of them have debts of up to Bt10 million each," he said.

Phra Narin Khampipanyo of Wat Sanpaliang said it spent Bt2.5 million on making amulets five months ago.

Sales were especially good to start with. "But volume suddenly dropped as many other temples had amulets, too. Now the temple is more than Bt1 million in debt," he said.

Phra Narin said the Jatukham fair did not help boost sales. "We pay Bt4,000 a day to rent a stall but today we have sold five and made Bt500," he said.

The Nation

http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/10/22/hea...es_30053301.php

[Dustoff]

It has been estimated that the varied series of the Jatukham Rammathep amulets will draw some 20 billion baht in this year alone even with waning interest.

I tend to be a bit confused about some of this phenomenon however; such as the amulet became incredibly popular after its originator died which seems to defy any logic that it is capable of magical powers of protection and good fortune. Stories (likely true) also abound about some of the most expensive ones being manufactured with "a variety of herbs and human remains", especially the ashes of (trying not to sound like an Alice Cooper fan) dead babies. It is well documented that many Thais believe the body of a dead baby has strong magical properties associated with its dead spirit. The international press were told by one of the resident monks that the abbot sanctioned the use of the infants’ ashes so as to free their spirits.

Superstition in humans reaches awesome proportions, doesn't it? Next thing you know, we will be hanging some poor schmuck on a wooden cross and selling his/her likeness for necklaces...

[taxexile]

Some temples have incurred debts in the millions of baht after they borrowed to produce the amulets, unaware their popularity would slump so soon.

the words greed and karma spring to mind.

[Mid]

^

agreed , wonder why they got involved in the first place ........................?

[Loaded]

these talismans have nothing to do with Buddhism. they are a relic of Bhramist belief. Abbots of these temples should be derobed IMO.

[qualtrough]

Today's Nation has an image of a painting that was removed from an exhibition for being too controversial. It shows a bunch of monks clustered around a table lusting after the amulets piled thereon. Excellent commentary in artistic form

[rafval]

yes, under the circumstances quite humorous, no wonder it was banned

Edited October 24, 2007 by rafval

[realthaideal]

Some monks and Wats came out very clearly against the hype and trend of Jatukam fever this last year. They can rest secure in their proper stance now. It's been outright silly.... the guys at Tippanet market are painting them, the watch repair guy next to the pharmacy and biz card guy in Topps Mkt Central KSK is painting them...everyone's trying to cash in...and yet, from whence would this magic power flow if everybody and his uncle is painting and encasing them ??!

As for the Wats that now find themselves deeply in debt, this is too bad, but an excellent opportunity to reflect on the vices of avarice and greed. Also a great time to reflect on Thailand's current state of Buddhism and Sangha leadership. The thrill, fun, and merit making of a regular Papa or any other Boi Luang has always been enough for me and a great event for local communities to come together to support their local wats. I always look for these festivities of 'big opening' of the wats in the dry season.... I hope to see things getting back to normal soon.

[cmsally]

They probably should have followed the lead of a monk down in Nonthaburi whose only investment was to bake Jatukam cookies!

It was his stance at showing people how stupid the whole craze was.

[siam-i-am]

Some temples have incurred debts in the millions of baht after they borrowed to produce the amulets, unaware their popularity would slump so soon.

the words greed and karma spring to mind.

Too true. Borrowed? I don't believe a word, it was only a few years ago they donated a couple of tons of gold to Thaksin and his cronies, because their coffers were full. A farang wearer of the safron robe told me recently, that he complained to the Abbot of a wat in town about the use of temple grounds for car parking. He was told in no uncertain terms to go back to his own country. It's all about the money. Incedently we have a similar religion in UK, you also get free meals and meditate all day long it's called, 'Benifits. '