Hi All,
Some basic information on Thai Buddhism/Amulets:
1. What is the name of the Buddha we pay respect to?
Phra Sri Sakkaya Muni, Kotama, Buddha. Sakkaya is the Lord's family name. He is the Buddha of our epoch.
2. Are there many Buddhas?
Yes, there are many Buddhas in various epochs, but we know only the names of 28 Buddhas. The last one is Phra Sri Sakkaya Muni Kotama. The 28 Buddhas are: TanHangKorn Buddha, MeDhangKorn Buddha, SaRaNangKorn Buddha, DheePangKorn Buddha, GonDhanYo Buddha, MangKalo Buddha, SuMaNo Buddha, ReWaTo Buddha, SoPheeTo Buddha, AnoMaDhassi Buddha, PaTumMo Buddha, NaRaDho Buddha, PaTuMutTaRo Buddha, SuMeDho Buddha, SuChaTo Buddha, PiYaDhassi Buddha, AtDhaDhasSi Buddha, DhammaDhassi Buddha, SitDhatDho Buddha, Tisso Buddha, Pusso Buddha, WiPassi Buddha, SiKhi Buddha, WesSaPhu Buddha, GoNaKaMaNo Buddha, GaKuSanDho Buddha, GasSaPo Buddha, and SakKaya KoTaMa Buddha or Phra Sri Sakkaya Muni, Kotama, Buddha.
3. Whose image(s) is/are on the amulets?
Most of them are Lord Buddha, but many are Guru monks.
4. What do we have to do before we wear the amulets?
Before wearing amulets, please do this way : - Make your mind calm, think of all your goodness you have done, and focus all your faith to the Buddha - Put your amulets onto your hands, join your hands together - Breathe in deeply and slowly -Then chant 3 times of this initial Mantra: NAMO TASSA PHAKHAWATO ARAHATO SAMMA SAMBUDH TASSA (sound) The chanting verse means we are now paying respect to the Lord Buddha who has done the great goodness. Then request with your own language for his help, say "I, a humble one, invite the Lord Buddha and Luang Phor..... [name(s)] to sit on my head to protect me all day long and bring me a good luck, a victory, and a fulfilment of all my wishes."
5. What do we have to do if we want to take the chain of amulets out off our neck?
Just take it out off your neck and put all amulets in your hands. Join your hands together, say thanks to the Lord and Luang Phor(s) that protect us and let us come back home safely. Then bring them onto a high place.
6. Any restriction when wearing Thai Buddhistic amulets?
Yes, there are some restrictions: -Don't bring amulets with you when you go to the low and improper place such as a brothel. -Don't wear amulets when doing sexual activities. -Don't go underneath the improper things such as the lady's skirt or someone's shoes, except you are on the inevitably compulsory environment such as going under a bridge or working in a skyscraper, etc.
7. Where is the place to place my amulets?
Put on a shelf, altar or any high place. Do not put them on the top of your bed, except you are single or sleep alone. If you want to keep them in your bed room, please put them in a higher drawer.
