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August 9, 2013

Phra Phrom

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Brahma in Hinduism

　　Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. Swan or peacock is his carrier, and Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, is his consort.

　
Origin

1. According to the Puranas, Brahma is a self-born from a lotus flower which grew from the navel of Vishnu at the beginning of the universe.
→Nabhija, one of his names, means "born from the navel".


2. Another legend says that Brahmā was born in water, or from a seed that later became the golden egg.

→From this golden egg, Brahma, the creator was born, as Hiranyagarbha. The remaining materials of this golden egg expanded into the universe.

→Being born in water, Brahma is also called as Kanja (born in water).


Representation

● Appearance
Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces, and four arms. With each head, He continually recites one of the four Vedas.


● Symbols
※Four Hands: the four cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north. The back right hand represents mind, the back left hand represents intellect, the front right hand is ego, and the front left hand is self-confidence.
※Vedas: knowledge, wisdom
※Gold: activity; the golden face of Brahma indicates that He is actively involved in the process of creating the Universe.
※Swan or Peacock: the swan is the symbol of grace and discernment. Brahma uses the swan as his vāhana, or his carrier or vehicle.
※Crown: his supreme authority
※Lotus: his throne
※Beard: wisdom, and the eternal process of creation
※Four faces, heads and arms: four Vedas


Items held in Hands


※spoon-shaped scepter: the pouring of holy ghee or oil into a sacrificial pyre

※water pot or coconut shell: the initial, all-encompassing ether in which the first element of creation evolved

※mala (prayer beads): to keep track of the Universe's time

※Vedas: holiness
※lotus: purity
※empty-handed
(Not all above items will appear in each Hindu Brahma image)

　　
Brahma holding lotus, beads, water pot, and Vedas

Brahma holding spoon-shaped scepter, beads, water pot, Vedas

Brahma, with one hand displaying mudra, holding Vedas, water pot, lotus


　
Brahma in Buddhism

The Hindu God Brahma has been accepted by Buddhism as an important guardian deity. The heaven where Brahma lives is called Mahabrahma. Legend has it that Brahma Sahampati, said to be the most senior of the Mahabrahmas, was the deity who invisibly attended on the Buddha when he attained enlightenment, and when the Buddha was meditating at Uruvela afterwards, encouraged him to teach the Dharma to humans.

　
Indra (left, also known as Sakra), and Brahma (right)

Buddha is worshipped by Indra (left) and Brahma (right)
Picture／http://jadeturtlerecords.blogspot.tw




　
Phra Phrom (Four-faced Buddha) in Thailand

In Thailand, Brahma is known as "Phra Phrom" (Thai: พระพรห) and is widely called "Four-faced Buddha" by Chinese. The religion of Brahma prevails in Eastern Asia and has attracted many worshippers.

錨點
　　　
Representation and Legend

Phra Phrom image is depicted as four-faced and eight-handed, four-faced and four-handed, or one-faced and two-handed. Sometimes the five-faced Phra Phrom image, which exists in Hindu lengend and is traditionally arranged facing the four directions, with the transcendent fifth at the centre, is also visible.

In Hindu mythology, when Brahma was creating the universe, he made a female deity known as Shatarupa. When Brahma created Shatarupa, he was immediately infatuated and pursued her wherever she went. Shatarupa moved in various directions to avoid his gaze but wherever she went, Brahma developed another head until he had four, one for each direction of the compass. Desperate, Shatarupa leaped over him to stay out of his gaze even for a moment. A fifth head, however, appeared above the others. Thus, Brahma developed five heads. At this moment Shiva appeared, cut off the top head and determined that since Shatarupa was Brahma's daughter (being created by him), it was wrong and incestous of Brahma to become obsessed with her. He directed that there be no proper worship in India for the "unholy" Brahma. Thus, only the other two Gods of the Trimurti, Vishnu and Shiva continue to be worshipped, while Brahma is almost totally ignored. Ever since the incident, Brahma has been reciting the four Vedas, one from every mouth, in his attempt at repentance.
   


Items held in Hands

※prayer flag : omnipotent power
※Vedas: wisdom
※triton: blessing
※paddle: ward off misfortunes, conquer devils, get rid of troubles
※scepter: boundless authority
※water pot: all request will be granted
※beads: reincarnation
※mudra: protection		　


Erawan Shrine (San Phra Phrom), Bangkok

The highly well-known Erawan Shrine (San Phra Phrom) in Bangkok was built in 2496 BE (AD 1953). The tourism of Thailand at that time was under the control of foreigners; what was left for Thai people was simply to serve as a tour guide. The prime minister Luang Pibulsonggram, worrying about the situation that tourism incomes kept flowing out while the poverty still stayed in, decided firmly to rectify tourism in Thailand, hoping to retrieve the sovereignty back and stop the income outflow, and set up Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) for related affairs.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel was the only five-star hotel in Bangkok then, but the number of rooms was not sufficient. TAT made a plan to build one more five-star hotel, whose construction and management would be all under the charge of Thai people, and the income would all go into the government account.

Hotel construction work got permitted successfully, and the hotel was named "Erawan" in advance, which is the same name as the mount of Lord Indra, Airavata, a white elephant and symbol of fortune and success.

Howener, obstacles never stopped occurring. there were so many people dead and wounded during the construction work, which might obstruct the plan that the construction of the hotel should be complete before 2500 BE (AD 1957) for accommodating guests participating the Thailand-held World Buddhist Council in 2500 BE. The government, wondering if there was any impact from unknown supernatural power, vigorously looked for able people to solve the problem.


One day, Luang Suwichanphaet, a rear admiral and a respected astrology, came to inspect the construction site. He walked into the site, closing his eyes to feel the frequency. After about 30 minutes, he opened eyes and offered some opinions:



1. The guardian deity was reluctant to leave there;

2. Lord Indra should be informed that the hotel name "Erawan" would be the same as that of his mount;

3. It is a must to pray to the guardian deity for his leaving there, and the official name-giving ceremony should be undergone. Moreover, a statue of Brahma (Phra Phrom), god of creation, must be erected there for blessing the peace and smoothness of the construction work.

Luang Suwichanphaet searched in person for the decent site of Phra Phrom shrine and enphasized that the Phra Phrom statue should be enshrined on this specific place; even a slightest move was not allowed.

The making and sitting of Phra Phrom statue was the duty of the provost of Brahmanism, who could know the appropriate appearance of Phra Phrom by spiritual power.

Unbelievably, the construction work later did become much more smooth and was complete on May 9, 2499 BE. Consequently the Phra Phrom worshipping ceremony is held on May 9 every year. The efficacious Phra Phrom is highly revered by both Thai people and foreigners.


　
Method to Pray

● What to Pray For
※The four faces represent business, love, health, and wealth respectively. The first face is for social positions such as official ranks, scholarly honors, and career achievements; the second face is for marriage and romantic relationships; the third face is for wealth; the fourth face is for health, recovery, safety, and harmonious family.

Another statement indicates that the four faces are symbols of the Four Immeasurables: Maitri/Metta (loving-kindness), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (empathetic joy), and Upeksha (equanimity).

※change of luck

※recovery, longevity

※success in careers, tests, competitions, trading, etc.

※auspicious life
※protection against adversity; defence against evil
※Subduing villains
※Progress in academic works
※team harmony


The first face—Maitri/Metta—is for social positions

 
The second face—Karuna— is for marriage and romantic relationships

   
The third face—Mudita—is for wealth

   
The fourth face —Upeksha—is for health and safety





● Offerings
※lotus or other fragrant flowers
※scented candles

● How to Return Thanks
Fulfill promises made when making wishes. The following activities could also be done to return thanks:
※fresh flowers
※wooden elephant statues
※Food (raw or cooked):
- milk, honey bee
- fruit: coconut, pear, banana, wax apple, etc.
- meat is forbidden as an offering

　
Notice
※It is not allowed to eat beef while waiting for the fulfillment of your wishes.
※No damaging or disrespecting to the Phra Phrom statue.
※Strip dance couldn't be taken as a choice of returning thanks.

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