304 replies to this topic
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Posted 2008-10-15 10:12:41
hey
I would like to get a Ajahn Noo Kanphai bamboo tatoo on my leg.
Please tell me how i can make that happen.
I will be visiting thailand between 25th to 29th by myself..
also can i get recommendation on links for accomodation and things to do for phuket and bangkok?
I am really nervous because it's my first trip by myself...
thanks for the help I really really really appreciate it
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Posted 2008-10-15 19:47:43
choiya, on 2008-08-31 16:00:03, said:
Quote I suggest you do a search for 'tattoo' in this forum as you will find a fair amount of information, including where to get sak yan.
Yes Wat Bang Phra does tattoo women. If you just show up you risk that no one will be able to do the work, but I'd say if you arrive before 10am, chances are you'd leave with a sak yan before the day is over.
Ideally, yes, you would let the monk(s) decide. At Wat Bang Phra newcomers usually start with the kao yawt (nine peaks, representing the sacred Mt Meru of Hindu-Buddhist cosmology) tattoo across the top of the back, shoulder to shoulder. However I have seen Thai women receive other tattoos (usually invisible, using sesame oil instead of ink) there.
Best thing would be to go and have a chat first, see what's available, who's available, etc.
Two weeks ago, I wanted to get the Yarn Haa Taew tattoo (like Jolie), therefore my boyfriend who is Thai called Ajarn Noo for availability, price etc.
His assistant told us that it costs 3,860THB (with ink) and 2,620THB (with sesame oil). A few days later we went tho Phatum Thani to see him and get it done. Ajarn Noo's "temple" is located on the first floor. When we entered there were already 4-5 other peoples waiting. We had to talk to Mr. Ruksitt first. At that time Ajarn Noo left already the room (maybe he felt bored, because there were no "Dara's" actress/actors). Mr. Ruksitt, I guess his bodyguard wanted to know what the purpose of our visit is. We said, that we called already and wanted to have the Yarn Haa Taew tattoo. I am a "luk krueng" half Thai, half Swiss, but my Thai is not yet perfect. He saw the farang in me and the price was all of a sudden 3 times higher than before. He answered the Yarn Haa Taew costs 10,000THB which is a special price. We told him that on the phone the price was 3,860THB. Mr. Ruksitt said that this price is no longer valid. And if we want to get the tattoo by Ajarn Noo it would cost us 35,000THB. Do you want to know how much they charge for the tiger which Ms. Jolie has on her lower back? 100,000THB for Thais and 200,000 if you are Non-Thai!
I think this has absolutely nothing to do with any spiritual thing anymore. It is all about making money and suck it especially from farangs, who they think must be sooo rich.
BTW: Mr. Ruksitt's behaviour is similar to the one of a monkey. While we answered his question, he was eating two bananas in front of us. Never have seen this before, absolutely impolite!
There was not one monk in the room, therefore not one chant or buddhist word was spoken while we were there. The television was on, and the guy who tattooed a customer watched TV while tattooing.
I was glad that my bf convinced me to leave and get my tattoo done somewhere else. On the same day we were at Tannawa and I'm very happy to have a even more beautiful and precise Yarn Haa Taew on my shoulder.
I'm going to thailnad in january and am also lookin to get yan haa taew while i am there. i've been told wat bang pra doesn't do this specific yan and im not a big fan of the nine peaks tattoo... where did you get your yan done?
Posted 2008-10-28 19:27:21
Hi,
Iv'e read all the tattoo topics, but my question has not been answered.
I have a few questions actually.. first, If I plan on becoming a monk or other clergy, shpould I not get a tattoo? I have a drawing of the endless knot... and I think it would fit in nicely on my forearm. I also want to get a Sak Yan in the future... would a prior tatoo interfere in that? I also drew the dharma wheel.. first I drew it very elaborate.. then I drew it very simple. I was thinking, if it is to reflect the Buddah's teaching, it should be simple in design... although the elaborate design could stand for spirtual wealth, any thoughts?

Edited by kebo, 2008-10-28 19:35:19.
Posted 2008-10-28 19:31:19
Some religions frown on the practice of the body being desecrated with tattoos. The body is a temple and all that, a tattoo is for life so choose carefully. Then again some religions frown upon alcohol also
You mention wanting to become a monk or 'other clergy' what is that?
Edited by Swanky, 2008-10-28 19:32:15.
Posted 2008-10-28 19:43:48
Hello Swanky.. yes origionally I wanted a tatoo of some Arabic script/poem to honor a muslim girl that I was in love with.. but Islam forbids tattoos so I can't do that, Actually the endless knot is so simple. hmm by other clergy, I mean other positions in the Buddhist ministry.. such as chaplain, missionary...
Posted 2008-10-28 20:02:43
I love that endless knot, I've also seen it with curved lines which I think looks nicer. You should ask around to see if having a tattoo is acceptable with being a monk, or do a Google search. Sexy looking artwork. Too bad you are considering being a monk, girls love nice tats.
Edited by Swanky, 2008-10-28 20:04:08.
Posted 2008-10-28 20:03:02
Short answer NO> a dobble no if you a joining the Monk Hood, might make you look like an ex-gang banger turn Monk  Why not check out a first class sticker shop around your town and have your design made as a Sticker, wear it for awhile, like it, keep it.
Posted 2008-10-28 20:57:25
I find it interesting to see that many people answering this question give the answer, NO. I cannot count the number of Buddhist temples I have been to in Thailand, and see very few monks with out a tattoo. No, having a tattoo will not stop your chances of becoming a Buddhist monk. What will stop your chances is your reasons. You should have some Thai friends help you about approaching a abbot to ordain. You should also be commmitted to learning to speak Thai. There are few temples that have any monks that speak English. As far as I know, there is no such thing as a Buddhist missionary or chaplain. I spent three months ordained at a temple North of Bangkok where no one spoke English and it was difficult. But I had a good dictionary.
Posted 2008-10-28 21:18:52
hi khaowong,
i'm not sure if you read my international buddhist college thread... i emailed the school, and they said a knowledge of thai is not neccisay.. although a reading knowlege of pali, sanscrit, tibetan, nipongo or mandari is.. i've been contemplating a tattoo for 8 years... i do change my mind often.
Hmm Wikipedia has a Buddhist college stateside listed, which mentions Buddhist chaplains. I've been into Eastern thought for about 12 years.. almost got initiated into Hinduism.
Posted 2008-10-28 21:26:54
BigSnake, on 2008-10-28 20:03:02, said:
Short answer NO> a dobble no if you a joining the Monk Hood, might make you look like an ex-gang banger turn Monk  Why not check out a first class sticker shop around your town and have your design made as a Sticker, wear it for awhile, like it, keep it. 
Come to Thailand ... meet some monks.
Posted 2008-10-28 21:39:09
I need a tattoo because I'm a prisoner. I'm imprisoned by vicious sensory desires.. and I need a Buddhist tattoo to ward of Mara.
(joke). Actually, I'm thinking the endless knot might be better than the dharma wheel bacause my sources tell me that the endless knot brings luck.
Posted 2008-10-29 14:41:44
Hi. I just got two Sak Yan's from Wat Bang Phra and had a great experience!
My Taxi driver spoke okay english and was able to help me translate the meanings with the master monk, but I would really apperciate it if anyone here could give me a fuller explanation of my Sak Yans, the meanings, and the literal translation of the words.
Arm_Sak_Yan_Elepant_Full.jpg 144.92K
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Back_Sak_Yan_Tiger_Full.jpg 199.12K
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Wat_Bang_Phra.JPG 82.14K
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Thanks in advance!
Posted 2008-10-29 20:59:03
I agree with jdinasia. Come to Thailand, meet some monks. There is a temple in central Bangkok close to the river, Wat Mahathat. They have a foreigner section there, section 5. There should be some monks there that speak English, there have been every time I was there. Talk to them. Get a feel for it. Then make up your mind. They even have a great bookstore there. I have bought many Buddhist books from there. I hate to say this, cause someone is going to call me on it, but Thailand or Sri Lanka is the Buddhist capitals of the world. You want to learn Buddhism, come here.
Posted 2008-10-30 07:44:38
You are interested in tattoo's. Did you read the article here: Sak Yan and Their Meanings by agsnowden. It's a good artile on the Buddhist tattoo. One of the most famous tattoo artists now is Ajahn Noo Kampai. He's the one who gave the tattoo to Angelina Jolie.
Posted 2008-10-30 07:51:01
''He's the one who gave the tattoo to Angelina Jolie.''
Which one? She has several.
Posted 2008-10-30 08:31:07
Swanky, on 2008-10-30 07:51:01, said:
''He's the one who gave the tattoo to Angelina Jolie.''
Which one? She has several.
The Sak Yant on her left shoulder.
Unfortunately this is becoming quite a fashion. Some superstar has a religious tattoo and some people think it's "cool" to have one too, without any idea what it stands for, shame.
Around Bangkok I have seen a number of Thai girls (bargirls I would imagine by the way they were dressed) with an exact replica of Jolie's tattoo, just to look cool and appeal to "farang" men. Thai men would never go for this type of girl. In my opinion these girls are totally disrespecting what the tattoo stands for.
Posted 2008-10-30 14:13:04
Hmm, I don't think I'll get a tatoo.. there are too many good reasons not to:
There are many better things to do with the money it costs to get a tattoo: buy a book, buy 20 pounds of rice, or oragami lessons, etc.
Plus, the endless knot I was interested in is more Tibetan.. and today my interest is in pure land and zen...
Plus, what if in 10 years I have a calling to be a Muslim priest... I might be rejected the opportunity.
Besides, I have an amulet. It is a sea shell I found on an uncharted island in the Philippines.. I've been wearing it around my neck for 2 years.
Posted 2008-10-30 14:49:16
Posted 2008-10-30 15:38:16
Posted 2008-10-30 15:44:24
I think the script used in sak yants is ancient Khmer (Phasa Khawm) and Pali rather than Thai.
Posted 2008-11-05 23:05:16
5tash, on 2008-10-30 02:31:07, said:
Swanky, on 2008-10-30 07:51:01, said:
''He's the one who gave the tattoo to Angelina Jolie.''
Which one? She has several.
The Sak Yant on her left shoulder.
Unfortunately this is becoming quite a fashion. Some superstar has a religious tattoo and some people think it's "cool" to have one too, without any idea what it stands for, shame.
Around Bangkok I have seen a number of Thai girls (bargirls I would imagine by the way they were dressed) with an exact replica of Jolie's tattoo, just to look cool and appeal to "farang" men. Thai men would never go for this type of girl. In my opinion these girls are totally disrespecting what the tattoo stands for.
Aj Noo gave Ms Jolie the haa thaew (Five Lines) on her left shoulder blade, as well as the tiger and surrounding images along her lower back.
Posted 2008-11-06 14:31:11
For those living in Thailand and able to read Thai, there is an interesting article in the latest edition of the popular magazine, mae nak, the article is called, sak yant plian che wit hy dee koon, a rough translation would be sak yants change life for the better.
The girl had a dragon done at a cost of 199 baht.
I dont know if Aj Noo himself is still tattooing or not, there were others there who were also tattooing, a common complaint i heard from Thais was to do with the pricing, not only of the sak yant but also the cost of the other trinkets amulets etc.
I am not a Bhuddist, and i dont want to turn this into a slagging match, however there is a lot that comes under the umbrella of Bhuddism, that your normal Thai does not recognise as Bhuddism, has never heard of, or just doesnt understand.
There is also another of these "temples" operating in phra pa daeng, that has a certain popularity amongst shall we say, those at the lower end of the totem pole of Thai structure.
There are many jobs,careers, lines of employment such as government service that prohibit employees from having tattoos, probably a reason why your normal middle class Thai actually doesnt have tattoos, and rightly or wrongly frowns upon those who do, as being uneducated and of a lower social standing than himself.
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Posted 2008-11-08 13:04:21
sabaijai, on 2008-08-13 12:22:02, said:
Strictly speaking monks can tattoo women if they take care not to touch their bodies with their hands. Thus the only points of contact are the sak yan stylus and a dabbing cloth. I have watched a monk at Wat Bang Phra tattooing one woman on her tongue, then another on her forehead. In both cases, of course, they were 'invisible' tattoos using sesame oil. They process raises a pattern of red welts that go away after a few days.
Hi,
I'm currently living in Chiang Mai and studying Thai language at the Chiang Mai university as part of my degree in England. As part of my year abroad, I have to do a research project on something of interest in Thailand and as I already have western tattoos, I decided to do my project on Thai tattooing and it's symbology.
I would like to visit Wat Bang Phra, and do some research, but I also hope I can get a tattoo as well. Does anyone know if they tattoo women with ink or only use the seasame oil? Also I was wondering if the monks are willing to discuss the tattoos and their meanings, or are they too busy tattooing?
I am heading down to Bangkok in the middle of December for a few days and I hope to go then.
Thanks for any advice,
Lucy
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Posted 2008-11-15 10:51:00
sawasdee kha
hey guys, im in need of some serious advice!!
i am a young Thai-American female. raised mostly by my grandparents in that traditional, yet americanized, Buddhist household. i am Buddhist, thats the religion i put all my faith into. im definitely not a extremely devoted Buddhist but i do believe in it. im going to turn 18 in december and i've wanted a tattoo for a WHILE now. lol. never was sure of what to get, but i always knew i wanted something to reflect my Thai culture. i believe that tattoos should always have a special meaning, not just something you want spur of the moment.
lately, i've taken a GREAT interest in these sak-yan tattoos. i mean it connects both my culture as well as my religion all in one! i have finally found the perfect tattoo i want. also, i love simple designs so i instantly fell in love with this. here is the exact tattoo i want [ http://www.sak-yant....chive/ongkpra/] i hope the link shows up, if not i'll just upload the pic just to be safee
my only worry is, im not sure about how to go with getting this. i know ideally, you're suppose to go to a Wat and get it done by a monk for a more spiritual, deeper meaning but frankly, i'd rather get it done in a parlor due to the fact that i am the biggest punk when it comes pain. the way i see it, i dont think it should matter HOW i get it as long as i BELIEVE in it, ya know? but still, i just want to make sure that if i do get this tat in a parlor, i wont get bad luck or anything because of it.
also, does placement matter at all? i mean, obviously i know not to get it on my foot or anything lol but i really want to get it on the center of my back.. moreso upper rather than smack dab in the middle.. would that be okay?
ah i asked this question on yahoo answers but my feedback was minimal =\ so hopefully i'll get more help from you guys on here
so yeahh, i just need some more clear cut info about myyy specific question.. any feedback will be deeply appreciated. please & thank youuu
take care guys
ongkpra.jpg 38.68K
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Posted 2008-11-15 12:47:32
Placement does matter, if you believe in the sak yan systems here.
There is no difference in the pain level whether in a parlor or a wat. Unless you are referring to machine versus manual stylus, in which case the manual way is less painful than the machine.
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