Jump to content

Sak Yant (sacred Buddhist) tattoos?


jenrawks

Recommended Posts

Hello!

I'm looking to find the best places/temples to have a Sak Yant (sacred Buddhist) tattoo done here in Chiang Mai or nearby? Also, is there anyone out there who has a lot of these tattoos that would be willing to talk more about the experience or share a personal story around this? I've read news that the popular monk that gave these tattoos has recently passed away.

Thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind that tattoos done by monks are going to be more expensive (sometimes laughably so) and more amateur than the same thing by someone who has years of experience in tattooing and is actually skilled and artful.

I mean you could say, "Yeah, I got this <deleted> tattoo, but it was done by a monk in a temple," or "Yeah, I got this cool traditional tattoo in Thailand, then had a monk in a temple bless it (for a fee)."
Or, you could buy an amulet to wear around your neck and avoid the later regrets of getting a tattoo, crap or not.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind that tattoos done by monks are going to be more expensive (sometimes laughably so) and more amateur than the same thing by someone who has years of experience in tattooing and is actually skilled and artful.

I mean you could say, "Yeah, I got this <deleted> tattoo, but it was done by a monk in a temple," or "Yeah, I got this cool traditional tattoo in Thailand, then had a monk in a temple bless it (for a fee)."

Or, you could buy an amulet to wear around your neck and avoid the later regrets of getting a tattoo, crap or not.

I agree that If you just want to be the Illustrated Man you're better off to go to a specialist for your tattoos rather than to a monk or a shaman. Personally I think that it's a mistake to get a spiritual tattoo if you aren't serious about the spiritual aspects of it. But if you are getting the tattoo for spiritual reasons, the monk or shaman might provide you with more satisfying services than some guy who makes a living by doing tattoos for lager louts.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

I have allready 8 sak yant tattoos

1 in tattoo shop

3 by monks

4 by sak-yants

the best is arjan KOB in ayutthaya near the old floating market

And dont go to wat bang phra, the monks are tired to see farangs!!!

feel free to contact me by PM

Edited by onthedarkside
web site link removed
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of tattoos--and always thought that these 'Sak Yant' ones were done by some kind of Religious/Shaman type with the purpose of warding off, or healing from, some evil or other--in the minds of believers; but, what would make a foreigner, unless they are practising the same Bhuddist faith and with the similar beliefs in the shamanic protection of these things--want to have one? Or are they fashionable these days--because I quite often see one poking out of the top of a foreigners T-Shirt.

I'm not being provocative--just interested in the reasons behind having them.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of tattoos--and always thought that these 'Sak Yant' ones were done by some kind of Religious/Shaman type with the purpose of warding off, or healing from, some evil or other--in the minds of believers; but, what would make a foreigner, unless they are practising the same Bhuddist faith and with the similar beliefs in the shamanic protection of these things--want to have one? Or are they fashionable these days--because I quite often see one poking out of the top of a foreigners T-Shirt.

I'm not being provocative--just interested in the reasons behind having them.

Thanks you haybilly

First: sorry for my bad english, i only try to do my best.

At your inverse i am big tattoo arts fan, i am tattoo artist (ask googloe my name) and i am buddhist.

What i see about the sak-yant is some fashion that is shure but no problem !

But that also have the meaning that people want an evolution on general tattoo art, they are looking for drawing with meaning.

And every customer have his personal reasons to having the sak yant done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of tattoos--and always thought that these 'Sak Yant' ones were done by some kind of Religious/Shaman type with the purpose of warding off, or healing from, some evil or other--in the minds of believers; but, what would make a foreigner, unless they are practising the same Bhuddist faith and with the similar beliefs in the shamanic protection of these things--want to have one? Or are they fashionable these days--because I quite often see one poking out of the top of a foreigners T-Shirt.

I'm not being provocative--just interested in the reasons behind having them.

Thanks you haybilly

First: sorry for my bad english, i only try to do my best.

At your inverse i am big tattoo arts fan, i am tattoo artist (ask googloe my name) and i am buddhist.

What i see about the sak-yant is some fashion that is shure but no problem !

But that also have the meaning that people want an evolution on general tattoo art, they are looking for drawing with meaning.

And every customer have his personal reasons to having the sak yant done.

Thanks for taking the time to give me some insight.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

unbelievable to say a tatoo by a monk will be more expensive as they are not allowed to ask for money at all you simply give from heart as a so called " tamboon" and of course it will be welcome to support but usually it should not be a Price loke buying something in a supermarket .actually there is a example about a monk which did a tatoo to a well known woman and voices say he lost his powers because of greed...

Gesendet von meinem iPad mit Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got all mine done in Wat Bang Phra, but it's outside Bangkok. The journey would be worth it instead of getting a second rate one done.

It's the same as a normal tattoo, the pain will change depending on where you get it done.

Does get quite nippy though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

unbelievable to say a tatoo by a monk will be more expensive as they are not allowed to ask for money at all you simply give from heart as a so called " tamboon" and of course it will be welcome to support but usually it should not be a Price loke buying something in a supermarket .actually there is a example about a monk which did a tatoo to a well known woman and voices say he lost his powers because of greed...

Gesendet von meinem iPad mit Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Ajarn Noo Kanpai or Sompong Kanphai is not a monk.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have allready 8 sak yant tattoos

1 in tattoo shop

3 by monks

4 by sak-yants

the best is arjan KOB in ayutthaya near the old floating market

And dont go to wat bang phra, the monks are tired to see farangs!!!

feel free to contact me by PM

I have recently had 2 sak yant tattoos done by a monk at Wat Bang Phra and he was very happy to do it. He likes to have the opportunity to speak english and to educate farangs about Thai culture/mysticism. We also had a good laugh!

P.S. My wife also had several tattoos done by 2 young shamam at the temple and the work by all is top quality.

Edited by gazwa
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted 2013-08-17 15:22:42

Keep in mind that tattoos done by monks are going to be more expensive (sometimes laughably so) and more amateur than the same thing by someone who has years of experience in tattooing and is actually skilled and artful.

I mean you could say, "Yeah, I got this <deleted> tattoo, but it was done by a monk in a temple," or "Yeah, I got this cool traditional tattoo in Thailand, then had a monk in a temple bless it (for a fee)."

Or, you could buy an amulet to wear around your neck and avoid the later regrets of getting a tattoo, crap or not.

ummmm...

usually the main reason to get a Sak Yant should not be to wear it as something beautyful or artful than to worship...thats the original background..

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 months later...

unbelievable to say a tatoo by a monk will be more expensive as they are not allowed to ask for money at all you simply give from heart as a so called " tamboon" and of course it will be welcome to support but usually it should not be a Price loke buying something in a supermarket .actually there is a example about a monk which did a tatoo to a well known woman and voices say he lost his powers because of greed...

Gesendet von meinem iPad mit Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Ajarn Noo Kanpai or Sompong Kanphai is not a monk.

According to a lot of Thais..... Ajarn Noo Kanphai is in it for the big bucks now from Farangs with a lot of cash to spend. His reputation among Thais has gone downhill and he criticizes Sak Yant done by others...... His celebrity status has gone to his head....

No... he is not a monk. I wouldn't get a Yantra tattoo from him even if he paid me. I don't care how good he is... it's just money for him now...

Edited by Catoni
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have many over the years from the same master. Very strong power; can feel like an electricity tingling when doing the ceremony part; and feels like the top of the head opens at some time and a clear cool feeling like a stream flowing down and through ones hollow body. Amazing.

I not tell anyone where he is sorry.

He stopped to give tattoos last year because some greedy Falang and then a greedy Thai woman make like a tattoo tour business charging mini bus loads of foriegners one or two thousand bht each to visit his temple for tattoo and advising them to make offering for the monk/ temple of just 100 bht. Terrible greedy taking advantage what was purpose for goodness / to helping people. That many tattoos is like 10 or even 16 hours strait. They use the monk like a slave who can not say no because of his vow. He still does help local people by other ways; like sucking the black magic off the cursed and such. People have gone there sick and been healed. I have seen it. And seen the effects on the Monk also.

These energy and spirit systems are a reality existing weather the closed minds choose to believe in them or not. When I first started out on this learning curve I was not believing/ knowing , but was not so arrogant to think that I did know the nature of the universe by simply reading a few science books in school - after many experiences I am now 100% sure of the existence of reality beyond the physical / material world; just as gravity or magnetism is a reality and has effects yet we can not directly see or touch it.

Any doubters or wonderers who have the patience could discover the truth by practicing meditation diligently. But one can not force the brain to open immediately because of desire for answers ; first must learning to tame the monkey mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind that tattoos done by monks are going to be more expensive (sometimes laughably so) and more amateur than the same thing by someone who has years of experience in tattooing and is actually skilled and artful.

I mean you could say, "Yeah, I got this <deleted> tattoo, but it was done by a monk in a temple," or "Yeah, I got this cool traditional tattoo in Thailand, then had a monk in a temple bless it (for a fee)."

Or, you could buy an amulet to wear around your neck and avoid the later regrets of getting a tattoo, crap or not.

Will a regular tattooer give you a sacred Buddhist tattoo?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Keep in mind that tattoos done by monks are going to be more expensive (sometimes laughably so) and more amateur than the same thing by someone who has years of experience in tattooing and is actually skilled and artful.

I mean you could say, "Yeah, I got this tattoo, but it was done by a monk in a temple," or "Yeah, I got this cool traditional tattoo in Thailand, then had a monk in a temple bless it (for a fee)."

Or, you could buy an amulet to wear around your neck and avoid the later regrets of getting a tattoo, crap or not.

Will a regular tattooer give you a sacred Buddhist tattoo?

They will give such a design.

Just design- no power.

Any one can tel the real compared to the fake/ tattoo shop ones also because the real made by the manual jabbing leaves the tattooed area slightly raised; where as a tattoo made by a gun/machine is smooth to the touch.

One could get it blessed; but it's likely not as effective because the tattoo masters know exactly what they are doing and actually speak/ read the Pali or old Lana or Khermer script (script varies depending on the tradition the master has learnt in). My first was from a shop because the old monk I mets eyes weren't do good any more so he say go to a shop and come back for blessing. (This is 10years back) But when I found the other master for a next beginning he did "fix" a few of the characters and add a bit to the script.

The designs on the internet leave out key parts for purpose that people can not copy them- it's just for example how it looks like.

There are two elements at work in these things really- most important is the power of the Master (Monk or Brahmin / Shaman). Second is the artist skill aesthetically wise.

Many Thais get the tattoos done in oil - so nobody can see they even got it done. Purely for the power.

Lots of other ceremonies I have witnessed. Like a voodoo magic to bring cheating husbands back to their wives; or large congregations calling on the Gods for protection and fortune.

These things are not the Buddhas teachings. But they are not denied as real either. So the "Buddhist tattoos" label is not really a correct one and such questions as "did Buddha have tattoos" is irrelevant ; these tattoo are just a part of a wider spiritual system which can be attempted to be used for worldly effects

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Very foolish to get Buddha below the belt.

I've seen silly hippies with Buddha face on the leg and Ganesha tattoos in insensitive places too- also doing dumb stuff like skateboarding. Some peoples brains clearly not working properly.

The worse though must be the USA marines unit which has a "devil" Buddha with horns as it's logo and many get it as a tat. Talk about culturally insensitive. Especially after the bombing, nerve agents, supporting of lunatics and drug running thier state got up to in this region not do long ago.

Lucky the guy in the news clip wasn't in Srilanka- they'd have probably thrown him in jail for a while.

Sak Yant done by monks in the correct way and place should not be a problem for people though- totally different kettle of fish. But I do think people should be at least open to , if not practicing and understanding the spiritual systems at work here- not just collecting a holiday token like a pair of fishing pants or bag in the market.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.





×
×
  • Create New...