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Reverend Ar Jahn Tong
The
Reverend Ar Jahn Tong is one of the most senior
elders of the Thai Buddhist scene and is very deeply
respected in Asia, especially as he's got a large
following not only in Thailand but also in
Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Fo Guang
Hang paid the Reverend a visit to invite him to
speak to us on the 'power' of Thai Buddhist tattoos.
The difference between ordinary tattoos and Thai
Buddhist Tattoos
Ordinary tattoos are only for decoration and the
focus is on the beauty of the lines and the overall
aesthetic appeal. Most of them are just created by
tattoo machines and the skills of the tattooist are
almost irrelevant. Machine-created tattoos have no
'power' to protect or bless at all.
The
art of Buddhist tattooing or any spiritual tattooing
for that matter, is a very profound school of art
with an ancient heritage. Only if the Master doing
the tattooing can align his mind, body and mouth 'as
one', will the tattoos have any of the desired
effect.
How can an ordinary
tattoo compare with this
What does it mean
to have the mind, body and mouth 'as one'?
According to the Reverend, 'mind' refers to one's
will and thoughts, 'body' refers to one's hand and
skill, whilst 'mouth' is what reflects what is felt
in one's heart.
The
Master's 'mind' must be aware of what the person
being tattooed is looking for in this tattoo, what
he is seeking to get or protect. Not only must he be
aware of this, the Master must concentrate on only
what the person is seeking during his chanting and
tattooing and basically throughout the ritual. He
must concentrate on what is the outcome sought from
this tattoo.
The
Master's 'body' needs to be well-trained and
experienced. He must have precise and accurate
skills, deft hands and techniques which enable him
to create the beautiful but fearsome Buddhist images
within the tattoos. He must be able to design the
different tattoos for the different individuals, and
be able to implement what he's designed by
hand-pricking the tattoo with perfection.
The
Master's 'mouth' must reflect what his heart is
feeling, and the Master's heart must be feeling the
sutra he's chanting, and only the sutra. His heart
must be purged of his own matters so that the person
he's helping can have his prayers answered.
Thus
being 'as one' means knowing what the seeker of the
tattoo wants, concentrating only on that and having
the skills to prick out the complicated tattoos with
no mistakes.
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