"Magical" Thai Buddhist Tattoos , why do older thai hate

[richard]

Thanks GLC

We are all ears and await your profound explanation

[STEVE G]

Remember this from 2011:

Thailand wants Buddha tattoo ban for tourists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ju ... dha-tattoo

[Pleng]

I just simply wanted to know from a Farang way to look at it why the older hated it. Well, clearly this is not the forum to discuss, Meditation, Buddhism, dogs , nirvana or Trance in.

Too sad that there are so many close minded people put there.

You come here, wanting to get opinions. You got that, but they were opinions you didn't like. As you didn't like those opinions you claim those people who hold these opinions are closed minded.

Do I even need to point out the irony of holding the view that "anybody who has a view I don't like is closed minded" here?

[Siani]

Remember this from 2011:

Thailand wants Buddha tattoo ban for tourists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ju ... dha-tattoo

Yes, I remember it well.
Niphit Intharasombat, the culture minister, said residents have complained that tattoo parlours are etching sacred images of Buddha and other religious images on to the skin of non-Buddhist visitors.

[Siani]

Remember this from 2011:

Thailand wants Buddha tattoo ban for tourists
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ju ... dha-tattoo

Yes, I remember it well.

Niphit Intharasombat, the culture minister, said residents have complained that tattoo parlours are etching sacred images of Buddha and other religious images on to the skin of non-Buddhist visitors.

Chard wrote:

I just simply wanted to know from a Farang way to look at it why the older hated it. Well, clearly this is not the forum to discuss, Meditation, Buddhism, dogs , nirvana or Trance in.

Too sad that there are so many close minded people put there.


I don't think that forum members are "close minded" at all. In fact you will get a straight answer from them.

[caller]

I'm happy to be accused of having a closed mind - its the only way I can get through the day job.

But to be brutally blunt, the OP comes across as, er, not my cup of tea!

[Takiap]

Chard........even someone like myself, who has absolutely no interest in religion, knows that the cornerstone of Buddhism is all about freeing yourself from the material world. Tattoos and amulets are NOT part of the religion, and in fact, the sport you practice is even further away. Buddhism in its true form would never condone any form of violent sport. Nonetheless, let's look at your question from a different perspective........


Have you ever seen a "respectable" Thai person (excluding a few monks) with all these tattoos? Take a look around you mate, and you will soon see that it's mostly the underprivileged, lower class Thais that have them. Go onto a building site, and you'll see many of the workers have "magical" tattoos. I'm not being a stuck up bugger, but if you see where I'm coming from, you'll know why many Thais will automatically look down on you, and being a Farang only makes it look even worse since they expect more from us.

[Arlo]

Here are some links about the history and meanings of tattoos in Thailand.

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/the-history-t ... 28865.html

http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_m ... ttoos.html

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/en/2010 ... ai-tattoo/

[richard]

Chard........even someone like myself, who has absolutely no interest in religion, knows that the cornerstone of Buddhism is all about freeing yourself from the material world. Tattoos and amulets are NOT part of the religion, and in fact, the sport you practice is even further away. Buddhism in its true form would never condone any form of violent sport. Nonetheless, let's look at your question from a different perspective........


Have you ever seen a "respectable" Thai person (excluding a few monks) with all these tattoos? Take a look around you mate, and you will soon see that it's mostly the underprivileged, lower class Thais that have them. Go onto a building site, and you'll see many of the workers have "magical" tattoos. I'm not being a stuck up bugger, but if you see where I'm coming from, you'll know why many Thais will automatically look down on you, and being a Farang only makes it look even worse since they expect more from us.

I've even been told by a 'High so' Thai lady barrister that only the low in self esteem people get tattoos and that farangs with tattoos are considered macho seeking thugs or simpletons

[Bristolian]

I've even been told by a 'High so' Thai lady barrister that only the low in self esteem people get tattoos and that farangs with tattoos are considered macho seeking thugs or simpletons

I know that you are not expressing your opinion but It’s a good job that you don’t live in Pattaya or Phuket. The bars are full of tattooed EX SAS who might not like the simpleton comment . Of course they can only get upset if they can read!

[charlesh]

Yeah Bristolian especially since Thai tattoos (rawy sak) are apparently of Khymer origin and usually written (if authentic) in old Khymer script!!!!
And most ex SAS (if real) would be only too pleased to think that they are are thought to be simpletons as their personas have blended admirably into the main stream and as such will not be noticed ha, ha.

[Arlo]

Chard........even someone like myself, who has absolutely no interest in religion, knows that the cornerstone of Buddhism is all about freeing yourself from the material world. Tattoos and amulets are NOT part of the religion, and in fact, the sport you practice is even further away. Buddhism in its true form would never condone any form of violent sport. Nonetheless, let's look at your question from a different perspective........


Have you ever seen a "respectable" Thai person (excluding a few monks) with all these tattoos? Take a look around you mate, and you will soon see that it's mostly the underprivileged, lower class Thais that have them. Go onto a building site, and you'll see many of the workers have "magical" tattoos. I'm not being a stuck up bugger, but if you see where I'm coming from, you'll know why many Thais will automatically look down on you, and being a Farang only makes it look even worse since they expect more from us.

I don't know much about these tattoos and Buddhism so I decided to read a little. Here is a paragraph from one of the links I posted. Your question about seeing a respectable person with a tattoo might be answered here.

Thai tattooing has adapted to modernity with typical Thai finesse and subtlety. For those who fear that their tattoos may not be well-received in an office modeled after its Western counterparts, Thais may get tattoos not with the usual tattoo inks but with sesame oil. Or even no pigments of any kind. The tattooing implements, the designs and the mantras are all the same. The result, however, for all intents and purposes, is an 'invisible' tattoo, with none of the the visible stigma of a tattoo, but with all its magical powers to protect as an amulet and talisman intact.

[crazy88]

Never mind banning the tats. Fisherman pants wearers with fake dreadlocks and juggling balls practicing tai chi on the beach should be first on the list to go in my book

Crazy 88

[BingoBango]

He is as genuine and real as the SAS in thailand. The ones who move up a rank with each
chang.

[Frank Hovis]

Chard, I think you may be in a state of some confusion.

You appear to have a large amount of pride; internalized pride (self-confidence) is acceptable and encouraged, externalized pride (self-importance) is an affliction.

You also appear to suffer from a degree of doubt and are looking for approval, keep in mind that when we plant the seeds of self-doubt, only noxious weeds sprout and that the only feeling obtained from seeking approval is disappointment when it is not forthcoming.

The dogs you appear to be helping do not need your help, they are sentient beings perfectly capable of living their own lives as they should without intervention. Your intervention is changing their cycle, without them asking you to do so. You remove from them the choice to bear offspring. You contain them until someone chooses to take them as a 'pet'. You judge those who would wish to look after them based on their material wealth. It is normal in the cycle, that when reborn, life is often short and this is particularly true when reborn in non-human form but as an animal you have little opportunity to willfully do wrong, this is the way of things, interfering with the cycle in order to do good deeds is not only unnecessary but harmful both to the self and others.
Remember, good deeds done under burden, or for reward, are simply deeds done.

Your tattoos, as you have said yourself, are for protection. Give up the notion that chants and charms can protect you or take you closer to where you to be, this is an illusion and if allowed to fester rapidly becomes a delusion. Only you can protect yourself and only you can take this self further along your chosen path.

I think you would benefit greatly from a visit to your teacher, explain your situation and allow him to guide you to the route back to your proper path.