Sak Yantra

Sak Yant; Sak – meaning “to tap” or, “to tattoo”, and Yant, meaning “Yantra”.

 For hundreds of years, Thai and Khmer warriors where renowned and feared for the magical markings tattooed on their skin. These markings were a mix of Buddhist psalms and prayers, and shamanistic spells and sorcery that had survived the Religious transition from the pre-Buddhist, Hindu era and been incorporated in the belief system of the newly born Buddhist countries.

================= [more info on sakyant here]

I first heard about Sak Yant when I was browsing the internet for my potential next tattoo design. Everybody was getting Alibata/Japanese / Chinese tattooes back then so I toyed with the idea of getting a “Thai tattoo”.  What I found was not only a batch of intricately made designs but that which held significance to Buddhists like me.

Going online will give you a bunch of  forums where people argue back and forth about the “magic” and safety of sakyants. And I believe that a few people at some point wanted to get these sacred tattooes but got carried away/discouraged by what they read online. It was different for me though - nothing discouraged me since it is for me more than just a tattoo–but a declaration of faith.

So I decided I wont let this year end without me getting a sakyant–Even if it meant flying all the way back to Thailand again. 

 3 weeks ago, Amidst allthe chaos that went on in Bangkok– our flight getting postponed and me throwing a bitch fit maybe once or twice (or thrice) with the airline, We finally made it to Thailand.

The best quality of Sakyant Ive ever seen was done by a Ruesi named Ajarn Anek in chonburi. (PM me if you want his contact details)

This being a sacred ceremony, it started and ended with prayers with a longer blessing made after the tattoo was done.

 Here are some photos of me receiving the Yan Ha Tei. I have always been attracted to the Yan Ha Tei. And he also agreed it would be good for me. 
 

And in case you’re wondering, that is just a rod with 6 needle- tip he’s using. Yes, it is more painful than the usual tattoo you get because you feel every tap of pain. I was impressed how Ajarn Anek never used any stencils. All he needed was 5 lines drawn and his “needle-rod” did the rest..

 

Every person who goes to Ajarn Anek for a Sakyant gets another yant on the wrist - mark of the Buddha, to represent that you’ve been blessed with a Sakyant and to bring you good luck as well. You can choose to have it done in oil if you wish to be discreet. But I chose to have mine in black. This was my first wrist tattoo–it was as painful as I thought. Here’s a video of my wrist yant getting done. Feel the pain!! hahaha!

When I went around Bangkok, people stared yet appreciated it when they see  my yant. To those who dont know better, this may just be another tattoo — But to a Buddhist like me, it feels VERY good to own sak yants. –My faith for everyone to see.

would I recommend it to everyone? Maybe not. Not unless that person feels such a strong urge to really have a sakyant. Having one is like having another commitment you have to maintain in your life.  There are rules you have to follow, prayers you have to keep, etc.  And being a Buddhist, I take that commitment like it’s an added duty .