Buddhist amulets are particularly popular in South-East Asian countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma (Myanmar). These countries predominantly follow the Theravada Buddhist tradition which originates in Sri Lanka and can be identified by the saffron coloured robes of the monks.
Why Wear Buddhist Amulets?
Amulets are worn to bring general good luck and to protect the wearer from harm, as well as for very specific purposes.
For example, there are amulets for protection against attacks from weapons like a flying arrow or, more commonly now, a bullet. There are amulets to protect against evil spirits as well as to help women conceive on a propitious day. There seem to be amulets that protect against most of life's afflictions.
How Buddhist Amulets Are Made
Amulets are made from a wide variety of materials. Stamped medallions are generally of bronze or brass and can often be worn directly on a chain. These tend to be issued by a particular monastery in honour of one of their most venerable monks.
The obverse of the medal will normally have a portrait of the holy man, with the reverse showing some sacred text, a magic number square or a horoscope. But the most popular material used is clay, often mixed with other materials such as medicinal herbs or the ashes from burnt incense. These will more often be images of the Buddha or one of the many manifestations of Buddhahood.
The Power of Amulets
Apart from their aesthetic value and as a physical manifestation of the wearer's Buddhist faith, the real value attached to amulets comes from being blessed. Amulets that have been held by a venerated monk have more power and hence greater value.
This ineffable quality makes the secondary market rife with “original” amulets coupled with tall tales. Hence, many people will make the effort to visit a famous temple and have their amulets blessed in person.
How Amulets and Jatukham Are Worn
Some medals can be hung directly onto a chain but the vast majority of amulets are worn inside a protective casing. The most expensive casings are made of glass framed in gold but the most common are imitations of this style in plastic. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and, with a little bit of padding around the inner edges, the amulet can be placed comfortably inside without rattling. The casing is then snapped shut and can be worn on a necklace.
In Thailand some people wear many such amulets dangling from specially made necklaces such that the amulets can be spaced apart.
How to Buy Buddhist Amulets
The manufacture of amulets is a popular way for temples to raise funds for their expenses and especially when renovations are needed.
In Thailand, amulet sales seem far higher than for statues, perhaps because they are so much cheaper. However, there recently grew a national craze for Jatukham Ramathep, especially those issued by a temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
As prices went through the roof other temples also issued these large and elaborate clay amulets. But as fakes hit the market and interest waned they can now be picked up for a fraction of what they even cost to make, leaving some temples ruing this particular bandwagon.
What the Buddha Said
Indeed, the belief in the efficacy of amulets is rather un-Buddhist. The Buddha warned against superstitious beliefs and putting store in any external aids, including amulets, relics, and even the magical powers of advanced meditators.
But a country such as Thailand is rife with syncretistic beliefs, with Hindu, Taoist and Buddhist statues often side by side in people's domestic shrines. The continuing popularity of amulets is a reflection of this religious melting-pot.
Well-made amulets from interesting temples are still a good way for the traveller to acquire original souvenirs, learn some history and help the monastery at the same time.
Richard Mankiewicz - I write on a wide variety of topics from the broad perspective of the relationship between the arts and sciences. The aim is to break down ...
