Westerners With Amulets

[PoorSucker]

They do work...

I was almost mugged in BKK eleven years ago, they backed of when they saw the munk amulet I wore.

Here some good info about renting a Buddha.

[richard_smith237]

A close friends son is having an operation today. I gave one to him (my friend - Thai) for his son as I understand that Thai's believe that it can offer some form of protection.

I had a blow out in my car a few months ago. Following this, my girlfriends (now my wife's) father gave me an amulet. I don't wear it but keep it in my car glove box.

I don't believe in the power of these amulets and would never wear one but understand that for those who do so giving and receiving of them can offer comfort.

Edited February 9, 2010 by richard_smith237

[Hawk]

quote:

Thinking about those "coloured folkes" 555! Man are you white trash or what???

I suppose I could be more specific if you like, and I am "or what".

[mizzi39]

quote:

Thinking about those "coloured folkes" 555! Man are you white trash or what???

I suppose I could be more specific if you like, and I am "or what".

No, I think that you specified enough. Good day.

[Roadman]

I wear one. Not a Chunky but a flat iron medallion with my temples name on it, as I am well known there. No religion but closest to the principles of Buddhism and feel comfortable there. On a string. Also on a string a Pounamu carving. The Pounamu is the Green Jade of my birth land. I think my Kama is then coveted no matter where I am.

[dave111223]

I wouldn't dare leave the house without my amulet:

[hhgz]

I did an ad for the Ministry of Commerce. They dressed me in a filthy T-shirt, baggy shorts, sandals, and an amulet the size of a baby's head. They wanted me to slouch and waddle as I walked. My waist is smaller than my chest, and they put a thick latex pad around my mid-section to thicken me up. I asked why? "So, you look like a farang." The ad was shot outside of BKK at an open market, and for most of the day, I was the only farang there. About 4PM, a group of a half-dozen farang men walked around: filty T-shirts, baggy shorts, amulets clanking around their necks, overweight beyond belief...the stereotypical farangs, according to Thais.

[bonobo]

Before I left for Iraq, one of my three best friends gave me a very old Buddha and a several-hundred-year-old carving of a sword (which was worn by soldiers of the era for protection in the battlefield.)  My friend and his wife made me promise to wear them while I was in Iraq, and as I was targeted numerous times while there and came out with only one injury, they are sure the amulets protected me.

I am not saying that any amulet has power like that.  But I wear them in respect to my friends, and in respect to Thai culture. ANd like a rosary, crucifix, Star of David, wedding ring, etc, they do serve as a focus on my thoughts at times.  

THere have been side benefits, though.  As soon as the massage parlor touts see them, they cease their pestering as I walk by and merely give me a thumb's up.  Or while at a ceremony for Thai Armistice Day, it was fun to be the center of attention while a number of THai generals crowded around and debated these "combat-proven" amulets.  And anytime a Thai notices them, it seems like I am accepted as an "honest" farang, which makes things easier all around.

[canuckamuck]

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I don't think they work period.

I think it is more responsible to show people you believe hard work and education brings better results than a piece of jewelry. But of course their are always those who believe the opposite.

Thailand is full of myth and starved for truth.

[robblok]

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I don't think they work period.

I think it is more responsible to show people you believe hard work and education brings better results than a piece of jewelry. But of course their are always those who believe the opposite.

Thailand is full of myth and starved for truth.

There is such a thing as placebo effect. So it might help, but like all religions its just fake and never proven.

[Neeranam]

As I said I was given them, so I did not know about this. Thanks for that, learn something new everyday.

Still been sold as i said before auction been held as well, they consider this as compensation for borrowing the amulet????

You'll find that they don't sell them as Guest house said - I made this mistake once by asking in a shop if a certain one was for sale, to be told it was only for 'rent'.

[Neeranam]

I don't wear mine much but got it as a gift from a good friend.

Do you have something against them?

I don't have anything against them. I certainly wouldn't wear one though so I am trying to see the reasoning behind it. I don't think that the argument that it is a Buddhist thing holds up, I doubt the Dali Lama has got one. It certainly is a Thai thing though

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I am not sure with the dalai lama, he loves old watches and clocks!

I'll ask him next time i see him, will be in Dharamsala/McLoed Ganj in April!

I met him there in 1992 and he gave me a bracelet which I wore for many years, if it hadn't broke, i'd probably still be wearing it.

[bkkjames]

As I said I was given them, so I did not know about this. Thanks for that, learn something new everyday.

Still been sold as i said before auction been held as well, they consider this as compensation for borrowing the amulet????

You'll find that they don't sell them as Guest house said - I made this mistake once by asking in a shop if a certain one was for sale, to be told it was only for 'rent'.

Great news, I shall seek out this rental place when I need some divine assistance.

"Can I rent that one mate?"

he replies "No sorry, that one already reserved for big man, but you can try this one"

"How do I know that one will be lucky?"

he replies "Put it on, if you don't die in the process, you are lucky".

[Neeranam]

The country is awash with fakes, and the foreign folk who hang loads of these silly things around their necks are "fake Thais", idiots trying to fit in but standing out as real monkeys instead.

Do you know what 'loving kindness' is?

[Neeranam]

As I said I was given them, so I did not know about this. Thanks for that, learn something new everyday.

Still been sold as i said before auction been held as well, they consider this as compensation for borrowing the amulet????

You'll find that they don't sell them as Guest house said - I made this mistake once by asking in a shop if a certain one was for sale, to be told it was only for 'rent'.

Great news, I shall seek out this rental place when I need some divine assistance.

"Can I rent that one mate?"

he replies "No sorry, that one already reserved for big man, but you can try this one"

"How do I know that one will be lucky?"

he replies "Put it on, if you don't die in the process, you are lucky".

Open your mind a little James. It isn't good to make fun of such matters.

[bkkjames]

As I said I was given them, so I did not know about this. Thanks for that, learn something new everyday.

Still been sold as i said before auction been held as well, they consider this as compensation for borrowing the amulet????

You'll find that they don't sell them as Guest house said - I made this mistake once by asking in a shop if a certain one was for sale, to be told it was only for 'rent'.

Great news, I shall seek out this rental place when I need some divine assistance.

"Can I rent that one mate?"

he replies "No sorry, that one already reserved for big man, but you can try this one"

"How do I know that one will be lucky?"

he replies "Put it on, if you don't die in the process, you are lucky".

Open your mind a little James. It isn't good to make fun of such matters.

Sorry it's late in the day, my mind is closed for business mate. Sorry if I forgot to put my lil smiley after my post so you know I was kidding around.

[jdinasia]

Canuck --- HH the Dalai Lama is from a totally different branch of Buddhism. Some branches of Christianity wear crucifixes .. some think that wearing one is a sin. Some wear crosses, some think wearing them is prideful etc.

I guess I could sit around and use colored sand to make mandalas but I think I have the concept of impermanence down pat now ..

So you made my point for me, it is not specifically a Buddhist thing, it is a Thai interpretation of a Buddhist thing.

Crucifixes are hardly a Christian thing in this era, everyone wears them, from soccer moms to porn stars, and quite a few Thais wear them too. The best you can say is it is not a Jewish thing.

I will say however JD, that you do state your reason for wearing one, and that is what I was asking. Maybe someone else will be as confident.

No --- I didn't make your point for you. You ascribe it to being a Thai thing. I ascribe it to being a Theravedan thing, but I will say that not ALL Theravedan Buddhists wear them.

It would be like saying that making sand mandalas is not a Buddhist thing it is a Tibetan thing.

Note -- there is a difference between a cross and a crucifix, Madonna (the singer) made wearing a cross trendy by people that do not actually practice Christianity.

[ivowatson]

As I said I was given them, so I did not know about this. Thanks for that, learn something new everyday.

Still been sold as i said before auction been held as well, they consider this as compensation for borrowing the amulet????

You'll find that they don't sell them as Guest house said - I made this mistake once by asking in a shop if a certain one was for sale, to be told it was only for 'rent'.

Great topic, great stories, good laughs too. A lot of renting going on. Remember 2 maybe 3 yrs ago. Not sure about Bkk but the whole south was full of the Chatukham frenzy (rather large and round amulets). Millions were paid. Now you hardly see them anymore. Or maybe worn under the shirt. Does this mean that they don't work anymore? Loved the story about the well respected monk who made and sold cookies in the same size and used a similar name. He understood that amulets have nothing to do with buddhism, which doesn't mean you shouldn't wear them of course.

BTW, is it true you can't have sex while wearing an amulet?

Edited February 9, 2010 by ivowatson

[Lizard]

Because they are kn*b heads and trying to show how "Thai" they are....LOL

Here is one knob head that will tell you whats up with it, I did a Buddhamamaka ceremony at Wat Po 9 years ago, confirming to Buddhism, so when i wear mine, which isn't overly large in size, it means something to me, I am a Buddhist in every sense of the word.

[ChangMaiSausage]

Wife's father gave to her which was then given to me. I wear it 50% of the time but if I foget and she see's it on the bedside she will always bring it down to me.

As many have said if it makes my wife happy then it's a simple gesture and causes no harm to anyone....... only a few sad people who feel the need to post on TV.

[bkkjames]

Wife's father gave to her which was then given to me. I wear it 50% of the time but if I foget and she see's it on the bedside she will always bring it down to me.

As many have said if it makes my wife happy then it's a simple gesture and causes no harm to anyone....... only a few sad people who feel the need to post on TV.

I agree totally.

I think the only issue is those few extroverts that go out of their way to open the top 3 buttons on their shirts to make sure they are in full view (same goes for crosses and other items).

"Hey Look at me, I got me an amulet - I am somebody".

(special wink added for Neeraram's enjoyment)

[PoorSucker]

BTW, is it true you can't have sex while wearing an amulet?

Depends on size and position.

[canuckamuck]

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I am not sure with the dalai lama, he loves old watches and clocks!

I'll ask him next time i see him, will be in Dharamsala/McLoed Ganj in April!

I met him there in 1992 and he gave me a bracelet which I wore for many years, if it hadn't broke, i'd probably still be wearing it.

Bit of bad luck I suppose

[Neeranam]

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I am not sure with the dalai lama, he loves old watches and clocks!

I'll ask him next time i see him, will be in Dharamsala/McLoed Ganj in April!

I met him there in 1992 and he gave me a bracelet which I wore for many years, if it hadn't broke, i'd probably still be wearing it.

Bit of bad luck I suppose

Not at all - it was made of cotton so had to break eventually - I never took it off.

[mizzi39]

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I don't think they work period.

I think it is more responsible to show people you believe hard work and education brings better results than a piece of jewelry. But of course their are always those who believe the opposite.

Thailand is full of myth and starved for truth.

And here the have it! The biggest western superstition of all!

[canuckamuck]

Please explain

[bina]

moddona was also wearing a red string blessed by the baba sali (a religious holy man, wise in the way of the kabbala and probably wise in the way of getting money out of people as well)...

here everyone gets those red strings... even if u dont believe in it, its like the 'thing to do'. we have several of the bracelets from wats, btw thanx to the person who mentioned the tibenan scrolls cause i think the thais do the same thing. hubbby as several yellow braided waist circlets with big metal wrapped scrolls. his first day of work in a new place he puts it on under his clothes. not sure he really believes but he doens disbelieve either. his mother gave several amulet scroll necklaces bracelets and waist ties ...

i think its also a way of id'ing yourself, to yourself and others. rather like a magen david (star of david) or a 'chai' (the hebrew word for life, but used as a talisman to wear also). gives the wearer self confidence like football players kissing their cross they wear around their neck before or after a game/goal.

everyone to their own.

bina

israel

[PoorSucker]

Regarding the OP - do you think they don't work for foreigners?

I don't think they work period.

I think it is more responsible to show people you believe hard work and education brings better results than a piece of jewelry. But of course their are always those who believe the opposite.

Thailand is full of myth and starved for truth.

And here the have it! The biggest western superstition of all!

[Huey]

I have several, all of them large. All of them my father in law gave me for good luck and protection. I wear them for that reason and out of gratitude for the thought. I don't pretend to know the answers to all the big questions about the divine and what awaits on that other side, but, if someone wants to send some positive energy my way I'm always greatfull to accept.

[Neeranam]

If we're talking about the jutukam(big things) it must be really hard to decide to wear it or not, as let's face it, they do look silly.

Typically, short guys with Toyota Hiluxes or Fortuners wear these things.

Edited February 9, 2010 by Neeranam