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The four faced Buddha
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Brahma in gold
The four faced Buddha at the Erawan Shrine, Bangkok is actually Lord Brahma who is one of the Trinity of Hindu Gods. The other two are Lord Vishnu, the sustainer and Lord Siva the destroyer. Brahma is said to be born from a lotus leaf sprouting from the navel of Vishnu.
The Thais call Brahma, Than Tao MahaProm or Phra Phrom. When Indian scholars spread Buddhism to Thailand, they brought with them Hindu culture and folklore, which has been inextricably linked with Thai culture and beliefs.
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Brahma has four faces and eight hands; a feature that could have given rise to the name four faced Buddha. He is the god of creation, mercy and benevolence. He sits atop a lotus leaf; the lotus flower is commonly used for prayers at Thai shrines and altars.
The shrine of the four faced Buddha was named the Erawan Shrine after Erawan, Indra's three-headed elephant. The original version actually has 33 heads! However Erawan is symbolically represented with three.
- The four faces symbolize the four books of the Vedas, the Hindu scriptures and the source of all knowledge in the creation of the universe.
- The eight hands, symbolize the omnipresence and power of Lord Brahma.
- The upper right hand carries a rosary, symbolizing the cycle of life from creation to death. The upper left hand carries the Vedas, symbolizing knowledge and intellect.
- The lower left hand carries a pot of water representing cosmic energy of creation. The lower right hand bestows grace and protection.
The golden swan, the mythical steed of Brahma, is also revered in Thai culture. The royal barge, Suphannahongsa was named after the golden swan, which has been the name of the King's personal barge since King Rama I.
Over the years, Brahma's knowledge and power has granted the wishes of many. Word of the power of this famous deity has spread far and wide and the legend of the Erawan Shrine has been the source of hope and sustenance.
Thais and ethnic Chinese from SE Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, who are mainly Buddhists and Taoists, flock to the shrine to pray and seek the blessings of the fouor-faced Brahma.
The four faced Buddha at the Erawan Shrine is a Hindu legacy in Bangkok that has become a fusion of faiths.
Were your prayers answered at the four faced Buddha?
Hundreds of devotees pray every day and night at the Erawan Shrine or what’s commonly called the four faced Buddha. Were your prayers answered? What was the ritual you went through?
How did you feel when you got what you prayed for? Did you go back again?
Share your story of good fortune with us.
Other stories of good fortune
Read the stories of others who have had their prayers answered.
Four-faced Buddha - I found my love
Here's Suwandi's experience with the four-faced Buddha.
Hi friends, I'm Suwandi and I live in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. I'm 23 years old. I've ...
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Y! MyWebTo return to the Erawan Shrine. For other Bangkok Shrines.
