CONCEPT AND BELIEF IN CREATING BUDDHIST AMULETS FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT

Abstract

     This article presents the concept and belief in creating Buddhist amulets. By studying and analyzing data from Tripitaka scriptures, documents, textbooks, research and online media, it is evident that Buddhist amulet were originated from the Votive Tablet in India. The practice of making Votive Tablet therefore, started in India and spread widely and popularly into Suvarnabhumi area until now a day. Most of them are made in Thailand.

     From the analytical study, it was found that the concept and belief in the creation of Buddhist amulets consists of 4 main purposes: 1) the first period, Buddhist amulets were created as a memorial for pilgrimage at the 4 major centers of Buddhism to pay respects to the Lord Buddha. 2) The later period, Buddhist amulets were made to help disseminate and promote adoption of Buddhism as a religion as well as to make personal merit and dedicated merit to those who had passed away. 3) During the era of disasters from war, epidemic disease, poverty, sluggish economy, Buddhist amulets were created and distributed to help people mentally cope with the hardship of the time. Consequently, Buddhist amulet began to be consecrated with magic and spells, “packing” the Lord Buddha’s power into a votive tablet so that it may have the power to protect the holders. 4) Today, Buddhist amulets are made for special occasions or purposes of the creator, for example, as a gift to donors, or to create a replica of expert monks who are revered by the people for worship. Usually, Buddhist amulets are made in limited quantity.