Glimpsing the Guanyin Amulet in Thailand
Keywords:
Thailand, amulet, Guanyin, cultural diffusionAbstract
As a Buddhist deity with Chinese characteristics, Guanyin has gradually spread in Thai people as the Thai-Chinese community entered Thailand. We first conducted questionnaires and interviews, and then collate the information of Guanyin amulets that were blessed by Luang Phor Bao Earng Luang Pu Toh Luang Phor Koon Luang Phor Kasem Luang Phor Pern and which are made in Wat Bowonniwet Vihara and Wat Hua Lampong to better understand the impact of Guanyin in Thailand. To examine the evolution of the Guanyin amulets and to investigate potential causes for the Guanyin faith's popularity in Thailand, the history, image, and characteristics of the Guanyin amulets are arranged.
The study found that the Guanyin amulets combine the Chinese pedigree and image with Thai worship and function. The Guanyin amulet is a type of cultural transmutation that inevitably happens when the Guanyin faith actively adapts to the local environment and cultural traditions of Thailand using its own unique characteristics. It can only be widely disseminated with the joint promotion of Buddhism's inclusivity and the social influence of Thai-Chinese. The widespread Guanyin belief in Thailand serves as an effective illustration of the successful cultural exchange between China and Thailand.
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