Thai Tattoo Festival Wat Bang Phra, near Nakhon Chai Si
Getting a Mystical Tattoo at the Wat Bang Phra Temple
Every March, devotees and tourists descend upon the Wat Bang Phra temple to partake in the fervent and fascinating rituals of its sak yant tattoo festival. In Thailand, sak yant tattoos are widely believed to bestow magical powers upon their wearers. There is arguably no better place to witness these powers on display than the festival's famous Wai Khru gathering, where freshly inked men become wildly possessed by the spirits of their animal tattoos.
Coconuts TV joined the annual pilgrimage to this mystical (and rather dangerous) festival, where one of our correspondents got inked with a sak yant tattoo.
To see our photo essay on the festival, go to:
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Thailand Sak Yant tattoo at Wat Bang Phra temple, Part 2
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Tattoo performed by a buddhist monk at the Thai temple Wat Bang Phra. Part 2. You can read more about the process on the Wat Bang Phra page on Wikipedia.com.
Also, feel free to contact me directly with questions.
The tattoo art of Thailand's Buddhist monks
(6 Jul 2009)
Wat Bang Phra (Temple of the Little Buddha), Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, June 8, 2009
1. Senior monk applying tattoo on younger monk's back.
2. Close of senior monk's face as he applies tattoo.
3. Medium of senior monk applying tattoo on younger monk's back.
4. Young monk who has just been tattooed pulling his robe over his head.
5. SOUNDBITE: (Thai) Phra Ajarnto Prasit Konjapak:
It is the power of the Buddha. After they are tattooed, people will have faith in the Buddha and they will do good things and not evil. Ven. Luang Por taught people not to do wicked things. If people do bad deeds, they will get bad deeds in return.
6. Tilt down from colourful roof of Buddhist temple to monks doing yard work.
7. Medium of monk with tattooed back doing yard work.
8. Close of monk's tattooed back as he does yard work.
9. Pan of man and woman walking past statues at temple.
10. Close of statues of three spiritual men.
11. Close of statue of mythical figure and spiritual man.
12. Wide of monk applying tattoo on man's back.
13. Pan from monk applying tattoo to man's back.
14. Close of tattoo needle inscribing Pali script on man's back.
15. Tilt down from man's face to hands holding the skin of man's back as needle applies tattoo.
16. Medium of monk whispering prayers to man who had tattoo applied.
17. Close of monk's mouth as he whispers prayers.
18. Close of monk's fingers covered with ink as he whispers prayers.
19. Pan from men waiting to get tattoos to man bowing three times before monk.
20. Tilt down on elaborate tattoos on man's back.
21. SOUNDBITE: (Thai) Peettarapat Phamniyon, Bangkok businessman:
After I started getting tattoos, all of my business started to improve. I also believe what people have told me that getting tattoos will save me from all kinds of dangers.
22. Wide of man with tattoo on his shoulder and monk applying tattoo on another man's back in background.
23. Close of tattoo on man's shoulder.
24. Tilt up from man's face to monk's face as he sharpens tattoo needle.
25. Close of monk's hands as he sharpens tattoo needle.
26. Tilt down from monk applying tattoo to man's back.
27. Close of monk's hand applying tattoo in small jabs.
28. Close of tattoo needle poking man's back as hands hold skin taut.
29. Tilt up of tattoos of tiger and Thai symbols on man's back.
30. Monk adjusting man into position before applying tattoo on his neck.
31. Close of man's face as tattoo is applied with monk's face in background.
32. Close of needle making tattoo on man's neck.
33. Close of monk's face as he applies tattoo.
34. Man who had tattoo inscribed on his neck bows three times on the floor and leaves the room.
35. Man lies on his stomach to get tattoo applied on his thigh.
36. Medium of man on his stomach clenching his fists and face as monk inscribes tattoo on his thigh.
37. Close of man scrunching his face as tattoo is made on his thigh.
38. Close of hand rubbing tissue on tiger tattoo on man's thigh.
39. Man getting tattoo on his back holds hands in prayer position then shouts loudly shaking his fists. He then bows three times before monk.
40. Medium of tattoo on woman's shoulder.
41. Close of tattoo on woman's shoulder.
42. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Laxana Siriwat, Thai tattoo wearer from Bangkok:
Usually monks won't touch women's skin, but they use a cloth to cover the skin. There are many women who have also had tattoos done here and they are lining up to wait for their turns.
43. Two women waiting to get tattoos.
44. Man in white clothes applies tattoo on a man's back.
45. Tilt down from man's face to man's back and tattoo.
46. Close of needle inscribing Pali characters on man's back.
47. Close of monk's face blowing tattoo ink dry on a man's back.
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Getting inked at Thailand's Sak Yant Festival
At an annual ceremony at Thailand's Wat Bang Phra temple, monks tattoo protective ink featuring animals and religious scripts on devotees, who believe the tattoos bring good luck and will protect them from harm.
The temple is located in the Nakhon Chai Si district of Nakhon Pahom Province, about 60 kilometers west of Bangkok.
Wat bang phra Tailand #2
Wat Bang Phra - Budi monastery in which the monks disciples
The Wai Khru ceremony is an ancient ritual that came from Vedic culture, the purpose of which is to show reverence to the teacher. Wai khru is held annually in Thai schools, it is also distributed to followers of martial arts schools, dance schools and other teachings, which are passed along the chain of continuity. It is also believed that Yant, inflicted by the master, gradually loses its power, it must be periodically updated. To this end, all the followers of the tradition, gather each year in the main center of Sak Yant in the temple of Wat Bang Phra.
Wat Bang Phra (Thai: วัด บาง พระ) is a Buddhist monastery (wat) in the Nakhon Chaisi district, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand, about 50 km west of Bangkok.
March 16, 2019 in the Temple of Bang Phra is held the annual ceremony of honoring the teacher (Wai Khru). On which anyone can create Sak Yant tattoos
According to beliefs, it is considered a great success to become the owner of a sacred tattoo during this ceremony, because the energy present in the Temple at that time is exceptionally strong.
The disciples of Luang Pho Pan, both acting monks and lay masters, will come from different provinces of Thailand to pay tribute to their teacher and help in applying yant, because On this day, the monks of the monastery will not be able to accept a huge number of all comers, physically.
Work will continue without interruption.
March 16 at 7:39, passed the main action of the event.
Thailand: A lucky charm for life – Buddhists receive sacred tattoos from monks
Buddhists received sacred tattoos from monks at the Wat Bang Phra temple in Nakhon Chaisi district, Nakhon Pathom Province, as part of the annual Sak Yant festival, Saturday.
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2018/03/06 泰國曼谷Day 5 ＠ 龍波本廟 Wat Bang Phra
網路上很多咬錢虎 回頭鹿 或是泰文五條經刺青
都是啟自於佛統府(Nakhon Patom)的Nakhon Chai Si
也許是冥冥中有緣吧～～
剛好很多的湊巧結合下才有機會來到龍波本廟
在這邊也接受主持龍婆三安的唸經加持
真的很有佛緣吧.
Tattoo Warriors Thailand Wat Bang Phra 'wai khruu' ceremony
In ancient thailand warriors were tattooed with designs of animals belived to hold magical powers that protected them in battle.
Warriors belived the tattoos helped them enter a trance and invoke the powers of the animals tattoed on their skin.
Sak yant is a tradition of Thailand Buddhism, also know as spiritual magic tattoos. Yants are mantras that are formed by LPs many many years ago which are known to provide protection against bodily harm, sickness, metta, wealth, preventing charms against you and many more. Different yants serves a different purpose and different people sak for different reasons as well. The are many forms of yants that can be widely seen, like Phayants, yants that are drawn on cloths and blessed by monks to be hung at home or cars to provide blessings and protection, etc, Yants drawn by hands with a white substance on people's doors, cars or even items belonging to the believer. Another very commonly seen Yant would be Takruts, which are pieces of metal sheets, like copper, silver or gold and inscribed on it with sharp objects like needles. Its then rolled into a stick to be carried around as a keychain, hung in the pocket or worn around the waist. Sak yant is just another form of wearing a yant with you, but having it permanently on your skin. Yants are not only mantras, some are Himapants, which are animals like Suea (Tigers), Hanuman (Monkey), Ling Long (Little Monkeys), Garuda (Bird), Salika(Bird), Ganesha (Elephant God) and Devas, etc. Each different animal will have its different purposes.
All Images by Raul Gallego Abellan.
2008 Thailand. raulgaab.com
Music by Cindy Lie myspace.com/cindyliebcn
Wat Na Phra Meru | Oldest Buddha Temple in Ayutthaya | Amazing Thailand Part 5 | Bangkok
Wat Na Phra Meru or Men, Ayutthaya, Thailand
Literally the name of this temple means : the temple in front of the royal pyre. Royal prisoners (after being executed) were apparently cremated on the grounds. Wat Na Phra Men was built during the later Ayutthaya period.
The temple was constructed during the reign of King Ramathibodi II (1491-1529), the 10th king of the Ayutthaya Suphannaphum / Suphanburi dynasty in 1503 and received the name Wat Phra Meru Rachikaram. Wat Phra Meru occupied a prominent place in front of the Royal Palace. As its name indicates, it must have been established at a Royal cremation area.
Most temple Ubosoths of that period have been destroyed and only the base, with some walls, and supporting pillars remain. Often the ubosoths built during that time were quite large and impressive. The ubosoth of Wat Na Phra Men, though restored during the reign of King Rama III, give a good impression of how Ayutthaya temples and ubosoths of the late Ayutthaya period must have looked like.
The principal Buddha image at Wat Na Phra Men is seated in the 'subduing Mara' position, and wears royal attire. Its full name is : Phra Buddha Nimitr Vichit Maramoli Sisanpeth Boromtrailokanat. Buddha images were royal attire like this are typical for the later Ayutthaya period.
Bangkok Thailand Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Sak Yant
Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Sak Yant
The Yant Gao Yord is a magic tattoo, which protects the wearer for
violent attacks and magic assaults. It also protects from unsaid bad
words of other people. It is a very common and strong tattoo.
The nine peaks of the tattoos stand for the rise and direct way to Nirvana.
The script is written in Pali, Sanskrit and includes the following
Kata (Mantra):
Gu Ti Gu Ya Tha Saa Wae Taa Saa Gu
Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Festival 2011
For Thais, tattoos are powerful amulets of protection that they believe can ward off evil spirits, bad luck and even gunshots. At the Festival some become possessed by the spirit of the animals that are part of their tattoo...
Wai Kroo Ceremony 2554 Ajarn Bpum Wat Sala Daeng
The Wai Kroo Ceremony of Sak yant Master Pra Ajarn Bpum at Wat Sala Daeng - see for more about Wai Kroo Ceremonies and Sak Yant tattoos
Thailand Tattoo Festival
Thailand Tattoo Festival in Bang Phra temple
Magic tattoo festival in Thailand
(7 Mar 2012)
AP Television
Nakhon Chaisi, Thailand - 3 March, 2012
1. Man's back as tattooing begins at Wat Bang Pra temple
2. Close up of tattoo spike at it inks tattoo into mans back
3. Buddhist monk's face as he works with tattoo spike
4. Thai man as he gives respect with traditional bow and goes into a trance
5. Close up of Buddha statue
6. Wide of tattoo master Ajarn Harn Submongkol preparing to do a tattoo
7. Close up of traditional Sa Yant tattoo being given
8. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Ajarn Harn Submongkol, Master Tattooist:
During the Wai Kru I have performed more that 100 Sak Yant tattoos.
9. Wide of Ajarn Harn Submongkol as he tattoos 16-year old Siriam Sridasarn
10. Various low angle shots of Sridasarn being tattooed
11. Ajarn Harn Submongkol tattooing Sridasarn
12. Close up of tattoo spike as it inks Sridasarn
13. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Ajarn Harn Submongkol, Master Tattooist:
The subjects of the tattoo well-known in providing supernatural powers are the images of the Tiger, Hunuman, and the Crocodile. They would give magical power but the tattoo of Yant (an ancient Khmer Sanskrit language) would be remarkable in providing the wearer Buddhist protective power.
14. Wide shot of devotees in trance state run towards statue of deceased Sak Yant tattoo master Buddhist Abbot Luang Poh Pern
15. Wide of devotee growling and shouting while in a trance like state
16. Wide of devotees shouting and waving his arms while in a trance like state
17. Various of devotees growling and shouting and being restrained by volunteers
18. Wide of devotee shouting as he nears statue of deceased Sak Yant tattoo master Buddhist Abbot Luang Poh Pern
19. Man crawling toward statue of deceased Sak Yant tattoo master Buddhist Abbot Luang Poh Pern
20. Pan of people at festival
21. SOUNDBITE (Thai) Theerawat Kantaviro, Buddhist Monk,
As a disciple I have to come here in order to participate in the Wai Kru ceremony and to pay my respects and worship.
22. Wide of devotee whose back is fully tattooed
23. Devotees as they walk on stage where statue of Luang Poh Pern sits
24. Various of devotees praying and making offerings
25. Man wearing t-shirt and amulet of tattoo master Luang Poh Pern
26. SOUNDBITE: (Thai) Theerawat Kantaviro, Buddhist Monk :
The tattoos have a strong power that makes me fear them. if I go into the ritual area and participate in the Wai Kru ceremony, I might be in a trance state.
27. Wide of devotee in trance state as he runs and crashes into stage
28. Wide of devotees in a trance running and being restrained by volunteers
29. Various of devotees in a trance state
LEAD IN:
At a Buddhist temple near the Thai capital worshippers have been holding the esoteric festival, Wai Kru, which celebrates traditional tattoos that some believers claim have magical powers.
The tattoos are an ancient form of Khmer Sanskrit writing inked into the backs of believers.
STORYLINE:
Thousands of devotees who believe in the power of Sak Yant, an ancient form of tattooing, are at Wat Bang Pra near Bangkok to participate in a ceremony known as Wai Kru.
This is a festival for believers who have been tattooed with black ink in ancient Sanskrit designs.
Yant our Yantra are ancient Sanskrit designs with geometrical symbolism.
The lines in the tattoos represent the umbilical cord to the Buddha while the round tattoos are believed to represent the face of the Buddha.
The tattoos are thought to have possess magical qualities and are amulets which can protect the wearer from harm, believers claim.
Some of the most zealous devotees even believe knives and bullets are no match for the tattoo magic.
During the Wai Kru I have performed more that 100 Sak Yant tattoos.
One man even crawls to the stage area.
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Thai men transformed into animals tattooed on their bodies at Buddhist festival.
Nakhon Chaisi (Thailand), 21 Mar (EFE), (Camera: Irene Alconchel).- Dozens of men entered a trance to be transformed into the animals tattooed on their bodies at a popular festival celebrated every year at the Buddhist Bang Phra temple east of Bangkok.
Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Sak Yant
Wat Bang Phra Tattoo Sak Yant
Tattoo Festival 2012, Wat Bang Phra - www.skokwbokblog.com
Doroczna ceremonia Wai Kru w położonej 50km od Bangkoku świątyni Wat Bang Phra. To tu zjeżdżają tysiące pielgrzymów by odnowić moce drzemiące w ich tatuażach. W czasie ceremonii dochodzi do niezwykłych scen. Więcej o festiwalu na skokwbokblog.comn
Tattoo Festival 2011 Wat Bang Phra
Das grösste Tattoo Event in Asien findet in dem Tempel Wat Bang Phra, Nahe Bangkok statt.
Hier ein Video über das Tattoo Festival 2011 in Wat Bang Phra
Up the Nakhon Chaisi River to the Don Wai Floating Market | RaiKhing Nakhom Pathom, Thailand
Visit my website at - location is in Nakhom Pathom, Thailand; at the Wat Rai Khing temple complex. From here we boarded a boat for a trip up the Nakhon Chaisi River to the Don Wai Floating Market. If it's edible, it's probably for sale there. Then it's back to Wat Rai Khing, where we eat supper at a restaurant on a floating barge -across the river from the temple. Please rate and comment, thanks.