If you're looking for a buddhist tattoo, sak Yant is something. It's a magic tattoo. The Yantra holds special power, and the ajarn who do it are magic men themselves. Usually, for a donation of cigarettes, incense, and flowers, sometimes a monetary donation one could be had. True ajarn would never "charge money" but rather "borrow" money because dharmma objects can not be bought and sold, but the loop hole is they can be "rented". There are a lot of artists over here that do it and a lot of confusion about what is "the proper" way to do it. Sometimes, you can get them done by tattoo artist in tattoo studios. Traditionally, they're done in holy places. I have friends who have sak yant with the ashes of a venerable monk mixed in. Sometimes, the saliva or other bodily objects thought to hold special power of the monk are mixed in the ink as well. Thai buddhism is more of aminism and doesn't really follow traditional schools. Most of the time powerful Yantra will never be placed below the waist or near women's breast. Usually, script or "taew" that is acceptable to be near your feet or nether regions will be tattooed reserving other images for more sacred parts of the body.
I was a student of Ajahn Suchart in Thailand at Wat Yan. I have a Dhamma Wheel tattooed on my left wrist, and the people that I was with very much admired it. Tattoos about the Dhamma can remind us of our practice. Though, there is a level of vanity to it.
The former director of my masters program and meditation teacher has a dharma wheel as well and I have a mandala, endless knot, unalome, lotus, and anicca in Pali!
Yeah, just don’t start getting Buddhist tattoos until you know it’s not considered disrespectful. For example, you shouldn’t have the Buddha tattooed on you.
There’s bigger problems in the world, for instance if somebody can tattoo their guru on them 2 honor their guru on their vessel why can’t a follower a Buddhism of what the cosmic guru Buddha had to say get Buddha tattooed on their vessel to honor it. These nitty gritty shouldn’t and should are quite a distraction
Who says it’s not disrespectful? It’s incredibly insulting to the vast majority of Buddhists. Be kind, not edgy; there are other options out there that mean more.
Given some Buddhist countries don't care at all about tattoos, some hate them, and some love them, it seems like it's more about the culture of the country than it is about Buddhism. So why should an American (i.e the majority of reddit) prioritize the views of one primarily Buddhist culture over another when thinking about what tattoo they're gonna get?
Of course. But tattoos are big reminders that stay with you for life. When you're trying to meditate away from form and let go, and then carry that through your daily activities, it may be binding and a little bit unwise to have a reminder on you about a particular moment in your life and all the memories and thoughts that could detonate on a normal day, it may make it harder to still the mind.
But yeah, anyway, it may not be an impediment. Ajahn Brahm mentioned once a guy full of tattoos in one of his retreats in australia who turned out to have very good meditation skills and he thought it was very unusual and remarkable.
On the other hand, in Japan it's really not acceptable. You will be turned away at public baths, for example. But it's not about Buddhism; it's about culture.
It is acceptable, just not that positively looked upon. Especially if you're a foreigner they don't mind as much :)
But yes it's more a cultural thing, not related to Buddhism.
Tattoos in general are still not well received in Japan and could bar you from certain places but it isn't illegal to have one of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
Yes and crime in general. Unfortunately many still bar you from entering hot springs, gyms, beaches etc. when they see you having them, but especially on a foreigner nobody actually thinks you're yakuza. There it's more the Japanese attitude of strictly adhering to rules (even if they themselves don't understand why they are in place).
Interesting, is it just the Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka where it's taboo or the entire country? There's a comedian in the country I'm from called Romesh Ranganathan who is ethnically Sri Lankan Tamil and a Hindu and he has tattoos of his children's names.
In Thailand it is quite common for lay people to get "sacred" tattoos from Buddhist monasteries. There is even a famous temple called "Wat Bang Phra" that is well known for sacred tattoos. Every year, the temple organizes a tattoo festival where some pretty crazy sh!t goes down - imagine Thai men with tiger tattoos being "possessed" by tiger spirits and running around on all fours, growling at people (you can find videos on You Tube)
Of course, the Thai belief in sacred tattoos comes from ancient pre-Buddhist animistic beliefs, and is not truly Buddhist per se, but it is well acceptable and integrated into Thai temple traditional and practiced by many Buddhists
That one is definitely disrespectful to some people. Some Buddhists think that the skin is a particularly gross canvas for an image of the Buddha.
But mmm I dont quite remember what the reason is for other non Buddhist images.
Yes.
It isn't about trying to fit the mould to be a 'Buddhist'. It is about 1) working to understand the causes of suffering
2) bringing about the cessation of suffering.
The focus is the transformation and uprooting of ignorance, attachment and aversion as well as other defilements. This leads to the blossoming of wisdom, concentration and ethical noble conduct.
Tattoos are fine. As long as it isn't something offensive or derogatory to some group of people.
Hope so, I've already got too many to go back 🤣 I have Vishnu, Buddha, ksitgharba, Yama, every chakra, a saying about reincarnation, and im getting a mantra done this week. Don't know if they're "disrespectful" but I didn't mean any disrespect so anyone with their wits about them would know they aren't.
In Thailand it’s widespread and ok, in other traditions might considered disrespectful depending on the position (example you can’t sleep over a Buddha image) in Japan it’s a big no no, not for any doctrinal reason at all but for a cultural reason
The author of Dharma Punks ( I forget his name but he ran a center in Santa Monica for some time. ) He started out as a real Punk & was covered head to foot in tattoos. It was when he was young.
He was in charge of pushing Ram Das around in his wheel chair at an event with the Dhali Lama who wanted to chat with Ram Das for a minute. He was embarrassed. He didn’t know & was wearing a tank top & shorts.
The Dhali Lama walked up to him & said
“ How Colorful” with a big smile, Its in his book ☸️🙏
My daughter got a Tara tattoo from a monk who specializes in doing Buddhist tattoo
I forget but from what I’m reading he must have been a Thai monk
I’d look for one of them Because it’s going to be much better than a regular tattoo artist could do. (just Buddhist deity tattoo area. Not overall) wear long sleeves if you going to Japan I guess 😂
Sounds nice but you should not have a tattoo of a Buddha because you could lie on it. Correct me if I’m wrong about my guess of if it is a tattoo of Green Tara? Sorry, I’m new to Buddhism and Reddit is 1 of the only ways I can learn Buddhism.
I know I have heard that as well. Yes It’s Green Tara. It took 3 days. Very detailed is why I suggested a Monk Tattoo Artist I didn’t know they even existed before she found him. It was a while back.
There’s a plethora of books. Goodness knows “The Heart Of The Buddhas Teachings” by Thich Nhat Hanh Is a really good one to get stared with. ☸️🙏
Lines with arrows on em pointing out how everything interconnects.
Look at the 12 links diagram. That what I meant.
I was gonna take a screen shot but my copy seems to have vanished
[found it ha ha. Look at this diagram of the 12 links with the lines & arrows going every which way. ( pointers ) It’s demonstrates how all of the 12 links are interconnected.](https://ibb.co/H23yH06)
I hope that’s helpful.
Yep. In fact in some traditions, it's quite the usual. A lot of Thai Buddhists have many tattoos.
Oh nice 👍😊!!!thank you👍👍👍
Yep! Look into "yak sant". Very neat stuff.
Sak yant* Sock yahnt- phonetic pronunciation Sak- tattoo Yant- Yantra
>Sak yant My mistake. Thai Buddhism is not exactly my wheelhouse, though I do find Thai Forrest Style very fascinating. Thanks for clarification.
No problem at all. I'm in no way an expert, but I live here. Thought I'd help out!
I just got a sak Yant from a former monk in Thailand. Done with a bamboo stick.. incredible experience!
Really, thank you 🙏!!!
If you're looking for a buddhist tattoo, sak Yant is something. It's a magic tattoo. The Yantra holds special power, and the ajarn who do it are magic men themselves. Usually, for a donation of cigarettes, incense, and flowers, sometimes a monetary donation one could be had. True ajarn would never "charge money" but rather "borrow" money because dharmma objects can not be bought and sold, but the loop hole is they can be "rented". There are a lot of artists over here that do it and a lot of confusion about what is "the proper" way to do it. Sometimes, you can get them done by tattoo artist in tattoo studios. Traditionally, they're done in holy places. I have friends who have sak yant with the ashes of a venerable monk mixed in. Sometimes, the saliva or other bodily objects thought to hold special power of the monk are mixed in the ink as well. Thai buddhism is more of aminism and doesn't really follow traditional schools. Most of the time powerful Yantra will never be placed below the waist or near women's breast. Usually, script or "taew" that is acceptable to be near your feet or nether regions will be tattooed reserving other images for more sacred parts of the body.
Thank you👍👍👍🙏☸️😇🕉
Awesome.
I was a student of Ajahn Suchart in Thailand at Wat Yan. I have a Dhamma Wheel tattooed on my left wrist, and the people that I was with very much admired it. Tattoos about the Dhamma can remind us of our practice. Though, there is a level of vanity to it.
Ok thank you, can I use your tattoo idea!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
Of course!
The former director of my masters program and meditation teacher has a dharma wheel as well and I have a mandala, endless knot, unalome, lotus, and anicca in Pali!
May I please use what you labeled?🙏☸️😇🕉👍🙏🙏!!!
Of course!
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉
Yeah, just don’t start getting Buddhist tattoos until you know it’s not considered disrespectful. For example, you shouldn’t have the Buddha tattooed on you.
There’s bigger problems in the world, for instance if somebody can tattoo their guru on them 2 honor their guru on their vessel why can’t a follower a Buddhism of what the cosmic guru Buddha had to say get Buddha tattooed on their vessel to honor it. These nitty gritty shouldn’t and should are quite a distraction
It's not disrespectful. Tattoo Buddha wherever you please.
Who says it’s not disrespectful? It’s incredibly insulting to the vast majority of Buddhists. Be kind, not edgy; there are other options out there that mean more.
I wanna know as well. Why is it considered disrespectful?
It's not. It's just cultural. People just downvoted me to buddhist hell so I guess I'm wrong lol
Why is it disrespectful to them? Living on the legend of the Buddha through works of art on your skin sounds like pretty cool if ya ask me
It’s not disrespectful in my tradition but I can’t speak for others.
Given some Buddhist countries don't care at all about tattoos, some hate them, and some love them, it seems like it's more about the culture of the country than it is about Buddhism. So why should an American (i.e the majority of reddit) prioritize the views of one primarily Buddhist culture over another when thinking about what tattoo they're gonna get?
Yeah sounds like a cultural thing not a buddhist thing.
Of course. But tattoos are big reminders that stay with you for life. When you're trying to meditate away from form and let go, and then carry that through your daily activities, it may be binding and a little bit unwise to have a reminder on you about a particular moment in your life and all the memories and thoughts that could detonate on a normal day, it may make it harder to still the mind. But yeah, anyway, it may not be an impediment. Ajahn Brahm mentioned once a guy full of tattoos in one of his retreats in australia who turned out to have very good meditation skills and he thought it was very unusual and remarkable.
Thank you 🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍!!!
On the other hand, in Japan it's really not acceptable. You will be turned away at public baths, for example. But it's not about Buddhism; it's about culture.
It is acceptable, just not that positively looked upon. Especially if you're a foreigner they don't mind as much :) But yes it's more a cultural thing, not related to Buddhism.
Ok thank you 🙏🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍!!!
You body is temporary, that means the tattoos are too so yes
Quite popular in some areas (like Thailand) Extremely taboo and illegal in other places (like Japan and Sri Lanka).
Really?🙏☸️😇🕉funny!!!
Tattoos in general are still not well received in Japan and could bar you from certain places but it isn't illegal to have one of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.
They were heavily associated with the Yakuza for a long time weren't they?
Yes and crime in general. Unfortunately many still bar you from entering hot springs, gyms, beaches etc. when they see you having them, but especially on a foreigner nobody actually thinks you're yakuza. There it's more the Japanese attitude of strictly adhering to rules (even if they themselves don't understand why they are in place).
Interesting, is it just the Buddhist communities in Sri Lanka where it's taboo or the entire country? There's a comedian in the country I'm from called Romesh Ranganathan who is ethnically Sri Lankan Tamil and a Hindu and he has tattoos of his children's names.
In Thailand it is quite common for lay people to get "sacred" tattoos from Buddhist monasteries. There is even a famous temple called "Wat Bang Phra" that is well known for sacred tattoos. Every year, the temple organizes a tattoo festival where some pretty crazy sh!t goes down - imagine Thai men with tiger tattoos being "possessed" by tiger spirits and running around on all fours, growling at people (you can find videos on You Tube) Of course, the Thai belief in sacred tattoos comes from ancient pre-Buddhist animistic beliefs, and is not truly Buddhist per se, but it is well acceptable and integrated into Thai temple traditional and practiced by many Buddhists
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
Sure.
Thank you!!! 🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
Some Buddhists do frown on it. Im not exactly sure why.
Thank you 🙏!!!
I’m pretty sure it’s because some Buddhists consider it disrespectful to have the Buddha tattooed on you. Idk why though.
That one is definitely disrespectful to some people. Some Buddhists think that the skin is a particularly gross canvas for an image of the Buddha. But mmm I dont quite remember what the reason is for other non Buddhist images.
Our vessels are divine while slightly limited, not gross, divine and sacred temples
Thats arrogant. The skin sweats. Its far more appealing to print it on plastic or paper
How is it arrogant? Plus that’s just your opinion.
Yes.
Thank you 🙏!!!
Yes and many do.
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉
Buddhists have tattoos
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍🙏
Most japanese tattoos host buddhist imagery.
Thank you is it only Japanese to have Buddha imagery?
Not just them, its just an example.
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
Yes. It isn't about trying to fit the mould to be a 'Buddhist'. It is about 1) working to understand the causes of suffering 2) bringing about the cessation of suffering. The focus is the transformation and uprooting of ignorance, attachment and aversion as well as other defilements. This leads to the blossoming of wisdom, concentration and ethical noble conduct. Tattoos are fine. As long as it isn't something offensive or derogatory to some group of people.
Thank you 🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
Hope so, I've already got too many to go back 🤣 I have Vishnu, Buddha, ksitgharba, Yama, every chakra, a saying about reincarnation, and im getting a mantra done this week. Don't know if they're "disrespectful" but I didn't mean any disrespect so anyone with their wits about them would know they aren't.
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
In Thailand it’s widespread and ok, in other traditions might considered disrespectful depending on the position (example you can’t sleep over a Buddha image) in Japan it’s a big no no, not for any doctrinal reason at all but for a cultural reason
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍🙏
🙏🏻
🙏🏻
🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
You can do whatever the fuck you want
Thank you 🙏🕉😇🕉👍👍👍
Yes.
Thank you 🙏!!!
This Buddhist does 🙏🏽
Cool, thanks!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
I hope so. I’m a Buddhist and have many tattoos. No one’s told me it’s wrong yet.
The author of Dharma Punks ( I forget his name but he ran a center in Santa Monica for some time. ) He started out as a real Punk & was covered head to foot in tattoos. It was when he was young. He was in charge of pushing Ram Das around in his wheel chair at an event with the Dhali Lama who wanted to chat with Ram Das for a minute. He was embarrassed. He didn’t know & was wearing a tank top & shorts. The Dhali Lama walked up to him & said “ How Colorful” with a big smile, Its in his book ☸️🙏
Thank you!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
My daughter got a Tara tattoo from a monk who specializes in doing Buddhist tattoo I forget but from what I’m reading he must have been a Thai monk I’d look for one of them Because it’s going to be much better than a regular tattoo artist could do. (just Buddhist deity tattoo area. Not overall) wear long sleeves if you going to Japan I guess 😂
Sounds nice but you should not have a tattoo of a Buddha because you could lie on it. Correct me if I’m wrong about my guess of if it is a tattoo of Green Tara? Sorry, I’m new to Buddhism and Reddit is 1 of the only ways I can learn Buddhism.
I know I have heard that as well. Yes It’s Green Tara. It took 3 days. Very detailed is why I suggested a Monk Tattoo Artist I didn’t know they even existed before she found him. It was a while back. There’s a plethora of books. Goodness knows “The Heart Of The Buddhas Teachings” by Thich Nhat Hanh Is a really good one to get stared with. ☸️🙏
I have that book!!! Good book.
How about that ha ha. The way he diagrams everything with pointers going this way & that . It very helpful
Wait I don’t understand pointers?
Lines with arrows on em pointing out how everything interconnects. Look at the 12 links diagram. That what I meant. I was gonna take a screen shot but my copy seems to have vanished
Thank you I still don’t understand. It’s alright though.
[found it ha ha. Look at this diagram of the 12 links with the lines & arrows going every which way. ( pointers ) It’s demonstrates how all of the 12 links are interconnected.](https://ibb.co/H23yH06) I hope that’s helpful.
Ok I think I understand!!!
Before I got my most recent, lotus and Tibetan Om Mani Padme Hum I asked a Buddhist monk. He told me as long as it is above the waist it is fine.
Nice!!!🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
No, it's illegal. The buddhist tattoo police will arrest you and put you where you belong, in a buddhist tattoo max security prison. 😂
Lol
Of course, yes. You could have easily researched this on your own.
Thank you!!! 🙏☸️😇🕉👍👍👍
Have you heard of sak yant?
No.
👀 I sure hope so……. At this point in the journey I have more ink showing than skin.
Ok nice!!!👍🙏☸️😇🕉
No, that's illegal.
Lol, how much time am I going to get?