I am thinking about buying an Thai Buddist Amulet for my girlfriend. She is Thai/Chinesse. I understand the basic meaning of Amulets but Can one buy an Amulet for someone else or are there some rules to this or should this only be bought by the person intending on wearing/carring it since each one can have different meanings & come from different Temples & Monks etc.?

Thank you.

I am thinking about buying an Thai Buddist Amulet for my girlfriend. She is Thai/Chinesse. I understand the basic meaning of Amulets but Can one buy an Amulet for someone else or are there some rules to this or should this only be bought by the person intending on wearing/carring it since each one can have different meanings & come from different Temples & Monks etc.?

Thank you.

This is a very personal item for most Thai people so if you know of a particular monk or temple she respects then an amulet from that temple would suffice.

Amulets are pretty diverse and all have some specific meanings.

Amulets have little to do with the actual teachings of the Buddha, in fact a very prominent monk, the late Buddhadassa Bikku (pronounced Puttataat) discouraged them altogether. Nonetheless, as JimmyTheMook said they are still considered very personal and having significant saksit by many Thais. I suggest you go to the amulet market which is just adjacent to Wat Mahathat and near Thammasat University and ask some of the people there about what you are looking for. Depending on where you are coming from the easiest way to get there is by Chao Phraya river boat. Get off at the Tha Phrachan pier and you're there. Not all boats stop at this pier however so make sure you ask the ticket seller first. Here's a link: Amulet Market

For the enlightened - the intention is more important than the action.

No problem buying an amulet for someone else. Thais do it all the time. I have around a dozen amulets, all but one of them purchased (or 'rent' in the Thai nomenclature) by Thai family or friends.

Likewise which one you buy/rent is immaterial, it's the thought that counts, as with any gift.

For the enlightened - the intention is more important than the action.

Equally true for the unenlightened.

For the enlightened - the intention is more important than the action.

Equally true for the unenlightened.

But would they see it thus?

The amulet market near Wat Mahathat is the ideal place to find one. It would be better if you could take a friend with you who speaks Thai, then you will see many monks also looking at the different amulets. Have your friend ask a monk to help you pick a decent amulet for your girlfriend. Giving an amulet as a gift is common in Thailand. And a nice thought.