I am writing this because the five lines on my left shoulder blade incite a lot of curiosity. It's difficult to explain in a two-minute conversation, so I thought I would go ahead and list the frequently asked questions here:
1) Are those cat scratches or writing on your shoulder?
It's writing. To be technical, it is Pali script. The Pali Canon is the standard scripture collection of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. The Canon is traditionally described by the Theravada as the Word of the Buddha (Buddhavacana), though this is obviously not intended in a literal sense, since it includes teachings by disciples.
2) So, does that mean you are Buddhist?
I really don't like to talk about religion. I was raised both Catholic and Theravada Buddhist (there are some idiosyncrasies there for the Catholic church, but not in Buddhism). I will only say that spirituality is intensely important to me. I have a profound respect for all religions and have read about many of them. What I have on my shoulder carries very deep meaning for me.
3) What does it say?
It is easier to describe it's meaning. It is a series of ancient characters related to Phra Sutra. Phra Sutra are the formulas or the teachings of the Buddha and the main Buddha's followers. It is the ancient belief that yantra (the tattoo style is called Sakyant) represents a protection on each row. I won't go into what each row represents, this is for me to know.
4) Doesn't Angelina Jolie have this tattoo?
Kind of. Five-line yant is technically different for each person based on certain factors after you meet with a monk or a master. We both went to the same master (Arjan Noo). This is because as a woman, I am unable to go to a temple for Sakyant (monks cannot touch women, nor can they directly, knowingly touch anything immediately after a woman). I have known of several temples, but have never known of any master's – not until the highly publicized work done by Master Noo (Arjan means "Master" – as one who was once ordained as a monk and still engages in spiritual practices with the temple). The publicity made someone like him easier to find for someone like me. I am planning on going back for more at some point in the future.
5) You keep saying Sakyant – what is that?
Sak basically means tattoo and Yant are sacred geometrical designs that carry the most inner-expression of South East Asian Buddhism. It is a mix of the actual message as spoken by Siddhartha Gautama in his native language Pali, in conjunction with lines and patterns that often set the phase and rhythm of the Yant. This craft of sacred Buddhist tattooing is chiefly practiced in Thailand and Cambodia, but is also to be found on a lesser scale in Burma (Myanmar) and Laos. Different yants serve different purposes and different people seek them for various reasons.
Tattoos (Sak) aren't the only medium. A Yant can be written on plain paper, on different types of fabric, engraved on amulets. Sak can also be done with oils – that aren't visible with the naked eye but still utilize the bamboo method.
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 represents something unique.
Historically, Sak Yant has not been very popular in Thailand as the commoners usually feel that those with Sak Yants are gangsters or members of the underworld. It used to be rude to show your Yants in public (I keep mine covered in Thailand unless a monk asks to see it). Only within the last decade are people becoming more readily acceptable of Yants as they learn more about yants and their efficacy.
One of the most famous temples for Sak Yant is Wat Bang Phra. Luong Pa Pern (Luong Pa is like "father" for a monk) was a Sak Yant master who was an abbot there who changed the popular mindset towards the practice and was a teacher for other monks. Although Luong Pa Pern has since passed way, there are still hundreds of people who travel to this temple every month to get yants from his disciples, namely Luong Pa Phaew and Luong Pa Phant.
Every year, there's a Wai Kru (Master's Day) where all the disciples and monks from other temples are invited to organize a mass chanting for people who have yants. Thousands attend this yearly festival in Bangkok and police are required to help control the crowds. During this festival, devotees with yants will have their Yants re-blessed through the mass chanting as some might have done things to weaken the power of the Yants or has sinned while wearing their yants.
Many people seem to have the mindset that having a Yant tattoo is something cool and different from a "regular" tattoo. It's actually an insult to the religion and this tradition. A lot of respect goes into wearing a Yant and there are certain precepts, which a devotee has to follow after having a Yant. To those who are thinking of having a yant as a tattoo or just trying to impress others with your yants, a word of advice, go get a "regular" tattoo; it will be a better choice. Some might be wondering what this means for Angelina and her yants – in my reading, she got it done for her Cambodian son (the art is practiced in Cambodia) – so it has "some" meaning to her in order to have a connection to her son. Whether she follows the precepts, I would have to say yes, she's doing good in the world. I guess they may get more "popular" since a character on lost was also sporting one (not sure what kind or if it was real). Maybe this is why people are asking me questions. I don't know, but I do have strong feelings about people who get them without understanding what it is. Sak yant isn't another fashion accessory.
My point is, yants are known as spiritual tattoos for a reason. I follow a certain "code of conduct" in wearing one and I don't take it lightly (yes, on my trip this year, since I missed Master's Day – I will visit either a temple that recognizes yant or Arjan Noo's house). I should also note that the yant on my shoulder isn't the first tattoo I had done in regards to my spirituality. I also have the number 9 on my left wrist, in Devanagari (Sanskrit). In Buddhism, the number nine essentially means "complete."
6) OK – my brain hurts. But what if I wanted to learn more?
Here are some links for you. Feel free to send me questions (hopefully all of this answers them).
http://www.sak-yant.com/
http://sakyants.blogspot.com/
http://www.sakyant.ch/
http://www.buddhanet.net/cmdsg/getting9.htm
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=51445
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sak_yant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theravada
I should note – not all traditional tattoos (done with bamboo) are sak. So if you want to go to a reputable studio in Thailand and get something that "looks" like yant without going through the "Buddhist thing", knock yourself out.
7) Some explanation on common geometric yant:
The nine Spikes in the middle on the nape of the neck, are called Yant Gao Yord (Nine Spires Yanthra), Yanthra, or Yant, in Thai language, means a geometrical design with magical Powers to protect it's wearer. The Nine Spires are actually Nine Buddha's with Nine sacred "Unaloem" (the squiggly spiral that shoots straight upwards above the Buddha's head. The Buddha representation (of three oval shapes, one above the other) is called "Ongk Pra" (Monk Body). The Mantra, or Kaataa, in Thai for this Onk Pra image has it's own particular mantra; Siisa Puttaa PHA Na Chaayathae Ongka Puttaa PHA Na Chaayathae, Phaata Puttaa PHA Na Chaayathae. (Although contained within the general Yant design, it is also a stand alone Yant in itself, and can be tattooed on its own). The Nine Buddhas are located above a four-storied Tiered Box design. The Box design contains Twenty Boxes. There is an arrow pointing upwards to the sky, with the ninth, topmost Buddha above it. This arrow splits the yant into two mirrored halves. Each half contains the same mantra, one forward, and one backwards. The mantra reads; Gu Ti Gu Ya Tha Saa Wae Taa Saa Gu - Gu GU Ti Saa Tha Ya GU Saa Taa Wae. Or even Gu Gu Ti Gu Gu TiYa Tha Saa Saa Tha Ya - Wae Taa Saa Gu Gu Saa Taa Wae. The mantra is composed in Khom (a version of Pali Sanskrit in ancient Cambodia, considered to be sacred by Buddhist monks in Thailand). The twenty spires on the shoulders are an extension to increase the protection. Called Jii Sib Yord (twenty spires).
