Dear fellow BM's.

Last year I had a white string tied to my wrist for good luck, after offerings of food and money at a Buddhist Temple.

I've worn this string for 11 months but was recently told that it should be removed after a week.

Keeping it for longer was considered dirty and others may look down upon you.

On learning this I soon removed the string, but I'm not sure how reliable my information was.

What is the protocol for wearing such strings?

Do they come in different colours and what would these signify.

Danny

Worn mine for years!!! (very lucky)

I got a colored one from my gf's monk.  She asked me which hand I used to wipe my a** .  And she told the monk and he put it on the other hand.  I was told not to clean my private parts with the hand the string is on.  Mine also has a knot.  She said if I feel tired or not well, I should put a finger on the knot and say "nat mo tat sa, pak a wat toe, ara hato, samma som putta sa" three times........I've worn my for about six months so far.  She also told me to clean it with soap and water every so often...nothing about taking it off....

The default colour is white. Coloured ones and knotted ones are from specific temples. A common one you'll see in Bangkok is a yellow string with a smooth knot that comes from the temple of Luang Por Sothorn. What I heard is you wear them until they fall off, which is usually a long time.

Worn mine for years!!! (very lucky)

very lucky, in what way.

you are not very good lier.

I got a colored one from my gf's monk.  She asked me which hand I used to wipe my a** .  And she told the monk and he put it on the other hand.  I was told not to clean my private parts with the hand the string is on.

What if you are ambidexterous as far as ass wiping and private parts cleaning is concerned?

the gf has scolded me on more than one occasion while we were in the shower 

the gf has scolded me on more than one occasion while we were in the shower 

Position yourself between her and the hot tap.

good idea except she doesn't have hot and cold running water in her apt....she just has running water (cold in morning and tepid in the afternoon)

good idea except she doesn't have hot and cold running water in her apt....she just has running water (cold in morning and tepid in the afternoon)

She can scold you with tepid water? That's definately a skill.

You should wear it until it falls off. Then go make another offering and get another string.

Many Thais say you can remove the strings after three days.

How can a string bring good luck?

How can a string bring good luck?

It's a marketing ploy used by string manufacturers.

How can a string bring good luck?

How long is a piece of string?

We may never know.

Two of mine have been there for more than 5 years. I was told that they would fall of given time, but I doubt that will happen for some time yet.

Last year I had a white string tied to my wrist for good luck, after offerings of food and money at a Buddhist Temple.

Does belief in superstitions (like "lucky" strings) have anything to do with Buddhism?

Does belief in superstitions (like "lucky" strings) have anything to do with Buddhism?

If we are talking about the core of the Buddha's teachings then no, I'm sure he Buddha discouraged that kind of thing.

If we are talking about how Buddism is practiced in Thailand today then sadly yes.

Many Thais say you can remove the strings after three days.

This is my understanding also.

Either 3 days or after that until it comes off naturally, not sure about the wiping your ass part.

The strings are blessed by the monks before they handed it out. It is practised by buddhist monks in about every countries.

B

But did the Buddha teach his followers to "bless" strings for good luck, or whatever they are used for, OR to use their own powers of reason and logic in seeing the world as it is?