Lord Buddha speaks: "Get rid of those tattoos."
Let me put it first; I don't have tattoos on my body, but everyone is completely free to decorate his or her body.
Apparently attracted by the lavishly shining Thai sun, the owners of a tattooed body are only too happy to show it to others. But to have to look at an almost naked and perspiring body, or even worse to have to expose my sense of smell, I experience as impertinent behavior.
History
The word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian word 'tatu' and goes back no less than fourteen thousand years. During cremations, small indentations were made in the immediate next of kin in which the ashes of the deceased person were placed. Small black spots made a permanent memorial to the deceased and in fact this was the origin of the tattoo. In later years, various dyes were also applied to the notches.
We have to go back more than five thousand years in the past to meet the first European people with tattoos. In September 1991, a 5300-year-old mummy with no less than 57 tattoos was found in the Otztal Italian Alps. Mummies with tattoos of ancient Greeks and Germans who lived four thousand years before Christ were also discovered.
Motifs
There are various reasons why someone has a tattoo applied. Most images are applied as decoration. Sailors made identifications in a distant past to be recognized when drowning. From a cosmetic point of view, a tattoo can make certain less attractive physical features such as scars or wine stains less noticeable. In Thailand, you see more and more ladies with a five-line so-called Sak Yant tattoo on the shoulder. The lines written in Sanskrit have a special meaning and are supposed to bring protection and good luck, among other things. Much less attractive are the tattoos that are used in the criminal world and that have a special meaning for insiders. Degrading and disgusting to remember are the numerical tattoos that were applied to the arms of people who stayed in concentration camps during World War II in Nazi Germany. Let's not even think about the Waffen-SS soldiers where the blood group was tattooed under the armpit. Let's quickly banish the shameful uses from that episode, but also realize that tattooing is a concept that has been around for centuries before our era.
Lord Buddha
If we go back to Buddhism, according to the most common theory, Buddha must have been born around 566 BC, so well after the concept of tattooing had made its appearance. Buddha must therefore not have been unfamiliar with the phenomenon of tattooing. According to his teachings, life consists of suffering: pain, sorrow, envy and hatred. The eightfold path of Buddhist teachings leads to liberation from suffering. No anger, no violence and no enjoyment at the expense of others. Lord Buddha, like other preachers of the faith, saw it right, but unfortunately many followers of the teaching all too often misinterpret it.
The Royal Palace in Bangkok
During one of my visits to the Royal Palace in Bangkok, my thoughts briefly turned to the subject of tattooing and, with that, also to Lord Buddha. On a number of parasols I see the text: “Not tattoo Buddha is for respecting.” If you look at www.knowingbuddha.org you know who wrote this text.
Such a text undoubtedly goes against the principles of Buddha, because tattoos existed centuries before Buddha was born. He will never have shown anger or violence about this. Let's face it; walking around with a bare torso - with or without tattoos - is inappropriate. If you would like to address 'Knowing Buddha' on the text then I can already predict the answer. Again you have not understood anything at all, because the organization has nothing against tattoos, but an image of Buddha on your body is against the rules. Write that clearly I would like to say. Unfortunately, just like with many other beliefs, you will find followers who violate the teachings of their teacher.
I wonder if Buddha himself would have objected.
The approach may be more that people (farang?) do not get tattooed with a Buddha image from a religious belief, but because of the image.
I do indeed believe that this organization is particularly against the disrespectful use of Buddha images, and tattoos are also included. In particular, images low on the leg, near the foot, are of course out of the question. Not that the average Westerner knows that or that they care...Buddha and tattoos are just 'in'.
Personally, I think tattoos always look a bit dirty. I don't quite get it either; you usually don't see much of it yourself, so why and for whom do you ultimately do it? It is striking that even the tattooed themselves realize that tattoos are not completely socially accepted; 9 out of 10 times they are in a place that is very easy to cover with clothing. Still a bit half-baked I think. I've also met someone who went all out, with 'Harley Davidson' on his forehead. Then you are a tough guy, of course, but it also indicates very clearly that you are not feeling well.
For now, I find people who just take care of themselves and wear nice clothes the most attractive. Clothing without a Buddha motif, that is.
The message of that organization is a bit misrepresented.
An image of Buddha on your body is not very respectful because of the underlying idea
that one never shows oneself naked in front of Buddha. That is why it also shows little respect if one
put a Buddha statue in the bathroom or as a decoration in the sauna or bedroom.
Before I go to bed I even have to take off my amulet or no sex.
Sak yant tattoos are widely worn by monks and have been done for centuries. These are sacred tattoos
To which a lot of rules are attached. For example, abstaining from sexual misconduct.
For a monk this cannot be a problem. But for an ordinary person it is a bit more difficult.
Do the Thai have the "only" right to Buddha in relation to a tattoo of Buddha or not? It says “Buddha is for respecting”, everyone decides for themselves how they worship or respect something/someone. One does this by means of an image/you or an amulet, the other takes a tattoo of whom/what he reveres/respects.
How many have an image of Jesus or the Christian cross on their bodies?
Have never heard from either Israel or the Vatican that this is not respectable.
Live and let live and don't interfere with everything and everyone.
Gr A
Especially when you are a bit older, a tattoo is associated with ordinary, when I was young I sailed for a while, even then the number of tattoos was limited to 1 or a few pictures on the body parts of my colleagues.
When I first came to Thailand, I also had to get used to certain rules, things that do not play in the Netherlands, but I tried to adapt because I am not from Thailand and especially out of respect for the Thai culture.
I find it strange that many fellow citizens in NL apparently don't worry about that.
That is not necessary in a multicultural society?
I myself have no body decorations, piercings, tattoos or the like, but I have thought about it just for fun, I wanted a tattoo of Joop klepzeiker on my back, now I don't have to anymore.
Simple is crazy enough….
I think it's a bit unclear.
There are many Thai who have tattoos and some are very visible. It seems to me more like an over-the-top group of fanatics who want to tell others what they 'should' do. A well-known phenomenon…
The fact that I too have tattoos that are not immediately visible is because people still take social values into account. Although I tend to avoid prejudice against tattoo owners.
Furthermore, my tattoos are very personal and they are nobody's business!!!
And what this has to do with 'fellow citizens in the Netherlands' (A. v. Klaveren) eludes me a bit...
Franky, I'm trying to tell you that many fellow countrymen who live in our country nowadays don't care much or nothing about Dutch culture (because it is still there), different than before, because I've been in music I've dealt a lot with Suries and Indos these people not only brought their own culture, but also tried to integrate just like I try in Thailand.
respect is also respecting your fellow man, including those with a tattoo. Seems rather superficial to me to step through this wonderful world with prejudices.
mvg
a man with tattoos
Have respect, live and let live…it's all fine in theory, and I support that too. Nevertheless, tattoos still evoke negative associations with many people (whether that is right or wrong is another discussion) and that is a consequence that you should realize before you get one.
Today I took the train from Hua Hin to Chumpon and I happened to see a monk on the train, yes, with tattoos, and not one! Believe me, I didn't become a different person by getting a tattoo! (and only on my 39th year)
Prejudice, that's what it is, unfortunately.
I think most monks have tattoos. In addition, it is quite common for Thai men to become a monk for a while after they have done something 'bad'… I do not link that to having a tattoo, I just want to say that when you see a monk it often means a whole ordinary Thai man, perhaps even one with a not so beautiful past. If you know Thailand a bit, you know that the Thai monks are not nearly as spiritual and free from sin as people in the West assume.
https://www.gezondheid.be/index.cfm?art_id=18251&fuseaction=art
That's all I want to say about it.
Well with my 55 years never felt the need for a tattoo. Until a few years ago I became familiar with 'sak yant' through my Thai girlfriend. She didn't like the fact that I wanted this, but she went looking for a monk who put 'sak yant'. Entirely according to tradition let the monk help decide what the suitable 'sak yant' would be for me and done 'merit'.
I'm happy with it, 'sak yant' is not just a flashy picture on my body. In a metaphorical sense a prayer on my body and for me of religious value. Therefore, of course, treat it with respect.
It's not just about tattoos. The general respect, we Westerners place plastic Buddha figurines the same as eg garden gnomes from the action. Just link to the Site and read Dos and Don'ts completely. I have also been tempted to buy such a wall decoration. But now I know better. Our Jesus and Mary statue is also not in every garden or house in Thailand, as a piece of jewelry.
True what you say Foodlover, but look how many TH are walking around with a tattoo of a cross or the head of Jesus (seen before).
The average Thai will not really lose any sleep over it.
About 30 years ago (before I knew my current wife) I bought a plastic Buddha in TH and I had it as a decoration in my house and as a reminder of my trip.
When my wife came to live with me a few years later, she simply moved to the table where she had more Buddhas.
I really have nothing against people with tattoos, why should I.
However, I have been walking around for a long time asking why I never see highly educated people with a tattoo… never seen a doctor, lawyer or civil engineer with one let alone multiple tattoos. Even among what is called the middle class, the phenomenon is rare. And there is one “category” in which it is very common. What could possibly be the reason for this? Does anyone have an explanation for that?
and here we go again with those prejudices about tattoos… it is good to look into your own heart….
I wonder if the entire article on the web page has been read:
The point is that an image of 'buddha' should be treated with respect, and should not be used for fun or personal gain. That people do so is entirely up to the person concerned, but for a Buddhist it can be offensive.
Westerners often have no knowledge of this at all, and this website asks for understanding and awareness. Images of Buddha may therefore not be used as a tattoo, with tattoos in themselves there is no problem, even though according to tradition they are only used as a Sak Yant (sacred) tattoo.
The average Westerner mainly does what suits him/herself, so don't think about respect for local customs or religion, that's what they want to make them aware of. Tattoos are not disapproved, but the use of Buddha images in any form when used for decoration is.
There are immense signs along the highway and Sky train route to Suvarnabhuma: Buddha is not for decoration, it's for respect. and I even believe that fines are threatened. Anyone who has no idea at all what respect is: (the average NLer) I prefer not to meet. A former friend of mine also has those statues in his garden. About faith he says: God is a projection. This is indeed a class thing. That man, summarily fired from the univ. due to temptation of a student, is just a farmer in perfect disguise, and I don't mean a farmer.