Thailand Seeks To Ban Buddha Tattoos For Tourists

BANGKOK -- Thailand's Culture Ministry says foreign tourists should be barred from getting Buddhist tattoos while visiting because the practice is culturally insensitive.

Culture Minister Niphit Intharasombat said in a statement that his ministry has been receiving complaints from residents that tattoo parlors are etching sacred images of Buddha and other religious images onto the skin of non-Buddhist visitors across the country.

"Foreigners see these tattoos as a fashion," Niphit said in the statement posted on his ministry's website Thursday. "They do not think of respecting religion, or they may not be aware" that it can be offensive.

Thailand is mostly Buddhist, and Buddha statues and images here are considered sacred objects of worship. Millions of foreigners visit the Southeast Asian nation annually.

Niphit said his ministry had called on tattoo parlors nationwide to halt the activity. According to the country's government news agency, NNT, he also asked provincial governors to "inspect tattoo studios and seek their cooperation."

NNT also reported that Niphit is pushing for a law banning the practice.

However, Ladda Thangsupachai, director of the ministry's Cultural Surveillance Center, said Thursday that tattooing religious images is not yet illegal under Thai law.

Comments

[rtgmath]

01:31 PM on 06/04/2011

I could understand it if Thailand did create such a ban. Such a ban would not work here in the US where we have First Amendment guarantees. Here in America we have the right to be ignorant and boorish or educated and boorish. Some people specialize in the boorish part.

Some even think they are being respectful by getting a symbol that will be on them forever.

Yes, people get offended when symbols of their faith are used by people who do not share that faith. People get offended when symbols of their faith are used incorrectly.

But perhaps freedom to become familiar with the symbols will, over time, engender more respect, less bigotry, and more tolerance of those who believe differently, or believe less fully, or do not believe at all. And the ethical traditions that mark the best of faith might be shared a bit better with all.

Is faith about "doing it correctly", or is faith about bring forward man to meet God or the Divine? And if we, in charity to others, bring them forward a little more than we would otherwise, I think we shall all be better than we were.

[kellygreen]

07:57 AM on 06/06/2011

Ashes on the Buddha....which is the name of a famous Zen parable that addresses this situation. Where those who are not "Buddhists" fail to show the respect we Buddhists feel that the Buddha and the Dharma "should" be shown.

The point of the parable is twofold: It is not the point of The Dharma to seek to control what other people do. The point is to learn who to manage ourselves, and our reactions to what they choose to do. Second, Egoic attachment ("This is MINE") over a set of beliefs, is no different than attachment to any other possession. One cannot be truly free, if one's ego is still invested in being "Buddhist".

...and what is important about The Dharma has nothing to do with the image portrayed in any rupa. The True Nature of the Buddha is formless. So to get angry about a non-Buddhist no "respecting" the image of the Buddha, is to not understand who-and-what The Buddha really is.

The Thai people---and all other Buddhists---should not be looking to ban these tatoos. Which may serve as a conduit to people being introduced to the Dharma in a healthier manner down the road.....

They should see it as an opportunity to practice non-attachment. To practice The Dharma.

[HawaiiSteve]

07:14 PM on 06/07/2011

Fanned! Excellent post. Seeking to control the actions of others is not what the Buddha taught.

[vanillalizard]

07:49 PM on 06/13/2011

yes, excellent post, but what we can learn from this article is that Buddhism--like all religions--have followers who are interested in the cultural trappings more than in the "Timeless Truths" -- and politicians will always pander to the lowest common denominator. There is only a small minority of any religion that REALLY internalizes the teachings, while the majority are just going through the motions. [And they are usually the ones in the public square making a spectacle of themselves].

[Mickey Bitsko]

11:58 AM on 07/03/2011

The beauty of both posts by the two 'farang' show acceptance and consideration for two differences of opinion; a trait and some would argue a quality, that is not shared globally.

Believers do not always exhibit their love and adoration on their bodies for the Buddha.

Perhaps a competency exam to validate the purpose of wearing such an image of Buddha.

Thai are very proud and protective of their culture, their belief in the teachings and the respect for Buddha, which is strongly influenced by traditional beliefs regarding ancestral and natural spirits, and have been incorporated into Buddhist cosmology.

Indeed Thai population is a majority Buddhist with Muslin representing 4.6% of Thai and Christian a mere 0.7%

[Laxsmi de Potrero]

04:01 PM on 06/03/2011

lol, let's hear it for the superiority of the dharmic faiths. each organized religion if given the chance with seek to flex its muscles.

[kellygreen]

07:59 AM on 06/06/2011

See above.

The human Ego....if given a chance....will seek to flex its muscle. Anything in this world can be pressed into the service of the Ego.

Including the REJECTION of religion and sprituality (hint, hint).

Any Buddhist who wants to ban these tatoos is only demonstrating their superficial understanding of The Dharma...and that their Ego is still running their lives.

Ashes on the Buddha.

[LifeinPictures]

12:09 PM on 06/03/2011

I think someone in Thailand hung their calendars backwards?

[Mari Harmon]

07:52 AM on 06/03/2011

American Buddhism is going to have a lot of "ink" :D This is because pre-Christian European ancestors decorated themselves that way (Celts, Teutons, Gauls, even the Picts were called that because they were covered in pictures). It's a deep cultural tradition that is resurfacing as well as the wonderful fact that we have so many cultures here to share and admire. Many young people are beginning to take up Buddhism in America, and many young people want tattoos. The conclusion is an obvious one.

The solution would be to develop an American Buddhist art form (already happening) and use that. Yes, there will be some non-Buddhists who want the tattoos for fashion reasons. But that's fine. We don't have the same cultural investment that the Thai's place in their art. Inevitably, you will then find Thai young people wanting tattoos in the American style (as well as their own, of course), and the issue should clear right up. Not a big deal, just a matter of patience and understanding.

[ZenGardner]

07:39 AM on 06/03/2011

Well there you go then... icons of the Buddha are "sacred." So glad I [word removed so as not to offend the moderators] the Buddha when I met him.

[HotheadPaisen]

08:33 AM on 06/03/2011

That's one of my favorite quotes. fanned.

[kellygreen]

08:01 AM on 06/06/2011

....If you think that the Buddha exists somewhere else.

Indeed.

[HawaiiSteve]

05:35 AM on 06/03/2011

As a Buddhist, I would hope that those who have the Dharma tattooed on their bodies might become interested enough to learn something from it. My practice is not about object worship anyway, so this is nothing more than a tempest in a teapot to me. As a retired businessman whose run many marketing campaigns in the past, I can appreciate the value of "free ink." I say, spread the Dharma anyway you can!

Namo Amida Bu!

[RTG5]

04:03 PM on 06/06/2011

Buddhism is is much ritualistic and dogmatic in it's home regions than in it's new-age western incarnation. Western practitioners often don't appreciate how Buddhism as practiced by most lay people in the east suffers from the same superficiality as Christianity does in our country.

[HawaiiSteve]

07:10 PM on 06/07/2011

Do you think this might be a function of the fact that most eastern countries that are predominantly Buddhist are third-world countries where the population does not have access to the same level of education that many of Buddhist in the West do? I've never lived in a Buddhist country, but I did spend years in Malaysia and the Philippines, and I saw first-hand how integral superstition is in the lives of people with little education.

If this is a factor, what does that say about people in the West who blindly accept dogma and refuse to question anything their religion tells them?

[vanillalizard]

07:53 PM on 06/13/2011

It's a phenomenon in all religions -- in my opinion--the masses are looking for a social outlet and a few basic beliefs to make them feel better about themselves and their struggles and only a small minority go deeply enough to use those truths for real evolution. That's why Gandhi said to remain whatever religion you were born into -- they all have the same "Timeless Truths" IF we go deeply enough to find them. The rest is just cultural baggage.

[jdbond]

05:10 AM on 06/03/2011

Meh. I got hebus up my...Oh that's just my...

[DanaDane504]

04:43 AM on 06/03/2011

Not a buddhist but I think that is so disrespectful, damn honkies

[ZenGardner]

07:40 AM on 06/03/2011

Got a chuckle out of that...

[500 a]

02:44 AM on 06/03/2011

I think Jim Tressel should be flown in to do a consultation.

[BurtonDesque]

09:52 PM on 06/02/2011

Enjoy your hepatitis B.

[Cindbird]

09:10 PM on 06/02/2011

If you are going to another country, and don't want to respect their cultural traditions, then don't go. Many Buddhists see tattoos of Buddha worn by non-Buddhists as offensive, even here in the US. I don't see too many Atheists or Satanists wearing Jesus tattoos. I wonder how people would feel if they did. I also think bars which use a Buddha theme are offensive as well. I am a Buddhist. I have found that there are a lot of us who feel that fashion statements using the icons of our religion or using ritual items as a fashion statement such as the so-called "power beads" of the late 1990's are offensive. The "power beads" were bastardized from our malas (rosaries used to count mantras). But when someone wears a Catholic rosary as a necklace, that person is subjected to harassment from Christians. It seems that only Christians are exempt from harassment for using other religion's sacred iconography or art.

[The Dood]

10:08 PM on 06/02/2011

Cindbird, as a Buddhist also. I must ask why are you offended? They are merely symbols. If I bow to a statue of the Buddha, it is not in hopes he will grant me wishes, it is out of respect for his teachings. These people probably have not studied the teachings and are ignorant of them. The teachings, not the symbols. are what are truly the finger pointing at the moon. If I lose or give away my Mala, I still have the teachings. What Would Buddha Do?....I think he would show compassion to those who do not know and study the Way. Being angry at those who are ignorant of it is not part of the Eightfold Path.

[solitude1951]

07:46 AM on 06/03/2011

Bowing is also a method of combating the ego. It takes humility. Take it one step further. Imagine bowing to another person. Most westerners would laugh at the mere suggestion of this unless they were bowing to a crucifix.

[ZenGardner]

07:49 AM on 06/03/2011

1

Yeah, pretty much. Well said.

[mrkurtzhedead]

06:35 AM on 06/03/2011

Lots of Thai kids here in Bangkok wear crucifixes as ear rings and necklaces, purely out of fashion. They are sold in all the malls. I think only the harshest of evangelicals take offense. It works both ways.

[Cindbird]

11:44 AM on 06/03/2011

I was talking about people here in the US. And Christians here DO get offended by it.

[JohnyTL]

08:07 PM on 06/02/2011

Hangover 2 really left a mark on them.

[cuoi]

07:23 PM on 06/02/2011

Every country/culture practices Buddhism differently. If you do not wish to respect local culture or custom, then you should visit one where you do. When traveling SE Asia, I observed some Americans without faces. When you disrespect another in public, by raising your voice or ignoring local customs, you "lose face" and local people will generally avoid you like the plague. Most people love Americans, hate the US policies, so enjoy your visit and enjoy countries where respect is like returning to the US in the 1950's.

[Mari Harmon]

07:46 AM on 06/03/2011

I really liked this post. I was raised with that sense of "face", and also the belief that if you do something (here comes the old-fashioned word) dishonorable, you don't just shame yourself, but your family, the friends you have with you (which is why people will avoid you if you do lose face because it seems that it's sort of "contagious" or that you condone the behavior of the person), and if at work, your work-group. We do have the term "respect", but it's not the same meaning really. Respect has more to do with the other person that you're dealing with and how you treat them. Saving face, keeping face, etc has more to do with personal integrity. Personal integrity is a massively big deal to many cultures. It would be wonderful if the idea of it took root here.

[Laxsmi de Potrero]

04:08 PM on 06/03/2011

oppressing politics rights and believing in a divine king on earth certainly do not strike me as noble beliefs

[french queen13]

04:11 AM on 06/04/2011

Sadly it can also mean never owning up to a mistake - something my company's had to deal with when working with Asian businesses.

[Laxsmi de Potrero]

04:09 PM on 06/03/2011

go to thailand where "respect" means blind submission to authority.

[cuoi]

05:22 PM on 06/03/2011

Actually, they could use more authority...to put the European sex tours out of business and the pedophiles in a Thai prison. Thailand is one of few countries in world to deal with HIV issue and relatively successful but it remains a very serious problem. "Blind submission to authority" is apt for Christianity...

[vanillalizard]

08:00 PM on 06/13/2011

i constantly hear about thai's protesting in the streets, so i don't have the impression they are particularly submissive.

[Myoho Mod]

07:11 PM on 06/02/2011

As I said before if you are worshiping statues you are not pracising Buddhism .

Besides, one has to wonder how clean are these tattoo parlors

[sandalwood]

07:04 PM on 06/02/2011

Thailand, leave well enough alone.

The Westerners getting Buddha tattoos are not hurting anyone, and its a BS 'holier than thou' attitude to say that simply because they are Westerners they must somehow only be following a fashion fad. No one except the person getting the tattoo can know her/his relationship to Buddha, and no one should cast aspersions on that. Do not get in the way of anyone making their way towards Buddha, no matter how uncouth Thai Conservatives find tattoos.

[french queen13]

04:12 AM on 06/04/2011

Nicely put, sandalwood.

[Chiron090]

02:48 PM on 06/04/2011

I have to add, also, that Buddhist tattoos are very popular amongst the Thais themselves. Which is why I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "Thai conservatives." Many have commented on how you should respect a country's culture and traditions but I wonder what the deeper issues are in the proposed ban. Is this simply a conservative movement that is in opposition to the practice of tattooing in general, thus working that angle, or is this truly a reaction to "westerners" being tattooed. If the latter then the question you raised is absolutely pertinent. How does anyone know if the people are not Buddhist? If they are then they have just as much right to be tattooed with Buddhist imagery than any Thai citizen. If is is the former then this is about as legitimate as any proposed social bill that comes out of the right wing in America (the justified killing of potential fetus harmers bill comes to mind as an example of obfuscation that addresses the larger issues of abortion).

[vanillalizard]

08:01 PM on 06/13/2011

oh god! It's the conservatives using "cultural issues" to inflame the masses! sound familiar?