Do You Wear A Buddha

[chonabot]

Many times Buddhism is Animism.

The 2 can be considered rival ideologies and have fused in some societies but they are not the same thing.

Anyone who believes this , does not have a true understanding of Ancient life systems.

My point was in relation to the chap who does not wear a Buddhist because he is not an Animist.

You can be a Buddhist and not an Animist , you can be a Buddhist and an Animist, you can be an Animist and not a Buddhist. The 2 are not inextricably linked and therefore are not the same.

hinduism and Buddhism are also combined , but remain seperate life systems.

Edited January 6, 2006 by chonabot

[Mighty Mouse]

I don't wear a Buddha but over the years I've had a few bar girls hanging around my neck.......and they were wearing Buddha's.....does that count?

[chonabot]

I don't wear a Buddha but over the years I've had a few bar girls hanging around my neck.......and they were wearing Buddha's.....does that count?

Were the Honeys Animalistic ?

;0

[Mr Red]

I guess I am lucky because my wife's family is really great, and they gave me a special buddha amulet that I wear on a two baht chain everyday. Like the other poster, I feel naked without it, but it does have meaning to me -- not necessarily religious, but out of respect for the family that gave it to me. It is always under the shirt, so very few folks even know the amulet exists.

[udon]

I would if I had one, just to piss the local religeous ratbags off here in Beirut...

[Tippaporn]

<snip>So do you wear a Buddha and why or why not.

No I don't, because I am not an Animist.

O.K., how many had to look that word up??? (Me!)

[Paul L]

I wear an amulet (under shirt always) but I’m not sure if it’s an image of Buddha? The good lady calls it by the name of “Phra Rod” (spelling). About a week after asking her to marry me and giving her the traditional western engagement ring, I was almost dragged to BKK from Singapore. On the flight she pulls a small cloth bag that I’d never seen before out of her hand bag, I’m then given said bag to open. Inside are two of these figures almost identical, wrapped in a piece of coloured lint. I then get a bit of history about them been handed down to the eldest daughter in the family for generations, and we will use them (something about not been able to own them?) until we have a daughter of our own. Anyway on arrival in BKK I’m taken to a shady little gold smiths place in Or Nut, where they are encased and hooked on to 1 baht chains. She then proceeds to place said chain and amulet over my head and I’m given the other to place on her, on doing so she says “If you want me, I marry you pooha ja”. Around my neck it will stay until hopefully one day we have a daughter of our own, once she’s old enough to understand exactly how important these two small figures are to her mum, on passed they will be.

[cdnvic]

That's a real nice story Paul. Thanks

cv

[Tippaporn]

I don't wear a Buddha but over the years I've had a few bar girls hanging around my neck.......and they were wearing Buddha's.....does that count?

[chonabot]

<snip>So do you wear a Buddha and why or why not.

No I don't, because I am not an Animist.

But you can still be a Buddhist

O.K., how many had to look that word up??? (Me!)

[Boon Mee]

I wear a Buddha and have one in the vehicle too just in case.

Used to have a couple of 'Goo Man Tong' until the wife made me get rid of them.

Bad Ju Ju she said...

[Tippaporn]

I bought one for myself several years ago at the same time my wifey and I were buying wedding rings. I guess I simply acted on an impulse that told me it would make her happy (which it did). I wear it discreetly but show it to Thais as proof when I jokingly tell them that I'm 90% khon Thai. I've been given another, much older Buddha medallion as a gift and my wifey keeps that one on a high shelf along with all of the other Buddhist paraphenalia.

I also have worn a string around my wrist for the last 2+ years. That was given to me by my wifey's then 5-year-old son during Songkran. I was passed out in bed from a fitful day of drinking and he placed it on my wrist while I was sleeping.

My view is that if it's important to my wife then it's important to me and there's nothing more important about the subject than that. I do it with utmost respect to honor her beliefs.

As to Buddhism, religion is all the same to me as it's simply a represention of something within us all that speaks to us of ourselves as we exist apart from this world. That information can be found abundantly elsewhere in much less distorted form so I prefer not to bother with disentangling the distortions from the salient points. Also, there then isn't a need to translate interpretations of concepts that were particular of a long bygone age which has little to do with our present conscious development.

If I did have to choose a religion Budhism would by far be the choice for me.

Good topic!

Edited January 7, 2006 by Tippaporn

[sonnyJ]

Many times Buddhism is Animism.

The 2 can be considered rival ideologies and have fused in some societies but they are not the same thing.

Anyone who believes this , does not have a true understanding of Ancient life systems.

My point was in relation to the chap who does not wear a Buddhist because he is not an Animist.

You can be a Buddhist and not an Animist , you can be a Buddhist and an Animist, you can be an Animist and not a Buddhist. The 2 are not inextricably linked and therefore are not the same.

hinduism and Buddhism are also combined , but remain seperate life systems.

OK, I will try to explain my views. First I have to say I'm not considering my self as a much of a Buddhist. But I have read a few Buddhist writings in the past. Also I used to wear a Buddhist amulet, but for few years now I choose not to wear it. When in temple I bow to Buddha, not because I feel it's necessary, but beacause it's a habit, same way as I bow to my girlfriends parents, since they are thai.

On my understanding, Buddhism that was born in the ancient times had very little if nothing to do with animism. Not even Gods. It was simply a philosophical system and practise with a few followers. Also a criticism towards ruling Hinduistic worship. I guess we could say for example the early years of Christianity in the Roman empire was same kind of a situation.

Today Buddhism has changed a lot. In every society in Asia it has fused to, it has taken a different way to develope. It was always adopted easily and mixed with existing beliefe systems to some point. Therefore all Buddhism today is more or less animistic. Even it has changed a lot it has lost almost nothing, people have just made it more, colorful, easier to use as a tool in everyday life and in politics as well.

[sir_clumsy]

I wear one with Buddha in the "Subduing Mara" (pang man wichai) gesture.

I don't wear this amulet for good luck or for protection, but to remind myself of the importance of avoiding the temptations of riches, power, sensual pleasure, etc.

I know I'll never actually defeat Mara, but perhaps this constant reminder will help me keep her at bay....

[chonabot]

Nice post and I agree with your points.

My original point ( sounds a bit weary now ) was that you can be a Buddhist and not an Animist.

Mattnich stated that he did not wear an amulet because he was not an Animist.

The 2 can be connected but not exclusively, as can Hinduism and Jainism etc etc.

[camerata]

I wear one with Buddha in the "Subduing Mara" (pang man wichai) gesture.

I don't wear this amulet for good luck or for protection, but to remind myself of the importance of avoiding the temptations of riches, power, sensual pleasure, etc.

Good example of "skillful means" - using an amulet as an aid to achieving the real goal of a Buddhist. In Thailand, in the 1800s, when villagers saw that monks meditating/sleeping alone in the forest or cremation grounds weren't harmed, they assumed they were protected by powerful talismans. When they asked the monk for an amulet, he would make one for them and teach them how to meditate, telling them the amulet had no power without meditation. This was the forest monks' way of introducing the real teachings to villagers.

I know I'll never actually defeat Mara, but perhaps this constant reminder will help me keep her at bay....

Her...?

Edited January 7, 2006 by camerata

[sonnyJ]

Camerata, your explanation of amulets is interesting to hear. Sounds very logical, just like Buddhism.

[sir_clumsy]

I know I'll never actually defeat Mara, but perhaps this constant reminder will help me keep her at bay....

Her...?

Ooops! Thinking of those tempting daughters. Three of them, wasn't it?

[mogoso]

Whenever I've seen a Thai take off or put on an amulet, they always hold it between their palms and touch it to their forehead.

Some Thais kiss their amulets and recite a litany before putting them on. I wear two small amulets that belonged to my wifes deceased father. Their properties (supposed) are don't die in accident and good luck. I put them on before leaving my home

My wife was bringing to me a die in accident amulet ( possibly Luang Phun)( a gift from MIL)when she came from Thailand in 2001. Her plane (China Air or Air China I don't remember which and wife asleep so I can't ask) took off from the Taipai airport when shortly after takeoff an engine caught fire and turned back and landed safely. She continued her trip after spending night in Taipai. I think the same flight crashed a few months after that killing lots of people.

She wasn't able to reach me by phone so I'm at the airport to pick her up and she was a no show, I'm a bit bummed to say the least, and I'm wondering what happened. Fortunately a Delta agent checked and found her on a plane heading to San Francisco and was able to explain there had been a delay. I didn't realize till after my wife (to be) arrived (14 hours later)what the cause was.

[camerata]

Ooops! Thinking of those tempting daughters. Three of them, wasn't it?

Yes. I believe they were Tanha (desire), Raga (lust), and Arati (aversion).

[camerata]

Camerata, your explanation of amulets is interesting to hear. Sounds very logical, just like Buddhism.

That particular account came from an excellent book called The Buddha in the Jungle, which is available at Asia Books and well-worth reading. Generally, I think the main purpose of a Buddha image is to remind us to be mindful. As I understand it, using one for decoration or good luck has nothing to do with Buddhist principles. You may have noticed that Thais offer flower garlands to the Buddha images in their office or home. At first I thought this was an empty ritual, but later I realised it's a way to make sure the image doesn't become just a decoration. I installed a mindfulness bell on my PC as an alternative.

[Backpack_thailand]

O.K., how many had to look that word up??? (Me!)

And me...!!!

[englishoak]

Wear one ( pak nam ) given by the wife always. As others have said don't feel comfortable without it. Have a few others given by family or from Monks.

[Neeranam]

I don't wear a Buddha (I think jewellery looks crass on men anyway) but I have been given various figures over the years - one which is supposed to be lucky for travelling stays in my travel bag, one lucky in money is in my wallet, etc. A load of nonsense but keeps the family happy biggrin.gif

Buddha amulets are not worn as jewellery by people I know.

It's not a load of nonsense.

Slightly off topic but I wear a "phra pii ganet" or ganeshji as the Hindus say.

He helps me a lot! I wouldn't like to say if it is some sort of divine intervention or not.

The fact that I put him on and take him off every day reminds me of many things, which I won't bore you with.

I had a car crash recently and the first thing that the people there asked was , 'what do you have round your neck'? They said I was very lucky.

[IMA_FARANG]

I met a guy at Carre Four last night who was wearing a rather large Buddha around his neck- it wasn't quite Public Enemy size but it was big.

I am doing my best to be friendlier to people in public so I said hello and made my way.,but I couldn't get the big Buddha out of my head.

So it got me thinking about all the other expats I meet when I move about Thailand some with Buddhas and some without.

I personaly don't wear one - I see no reason to wear one. I am not Buddhist and I cannot see it helping me get accepted into Thai society for wearing one.

So do you wear a Buddha and why or why not.

Well, for personal reasons I wear a small gold chain with a small Vietnamese style Buddha figure around my neck. It was a gift from the first wife, a Vietnamese woman, and I intend to wear it until I die. My current Thai girlfriend is well aware of why I wear it. It isn't conspicuous, you probably wouldn't even know I had it on, as I usually keep it under my shirt collar. It is a personal choice, and remembers my first wife.

[stone cold]

i got a seventy yrs old Phra Somdej given by my tour guide during my visit to thailand, a reminder of the friendliness of thai people.

[Thaipwriter]

I'm Christian, i would not wear a Buddha no matter who asked me to.

I did not come here to openly dispose of the religion i was born into and am surprised at those who are willing to

[cdnvic]

I'm Christian, i would not wear a Buddha no matter who asked me to.

I did not come here to openly dispose of the religion i was born into and am surprised at those who are willing to

Religion should be chosen, it's not genetic.

cv

[Rigger]

I'm Christian, i would not wear a Buddha no matter who asked me to.

I did not come here to openly dispose of the religion i was born into and am surprised at those who are willing to

I would guess that like me some of the posters where born into christen areas or families but have probably never set foot inside a church in there life other than being baptized. I don’t have any religion at all and if it keeps the wife happy so be it

To me most religions are for week minded people that need some rules to show them how to live

[cdnvic]

To me most religions are for week minded people that need some rules to show them how to live

Atheism is for those who can't spell.

cv