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The first time I ran across an old Khmer woman tending a shrine deep within an ancient crumbling temple in Cambodia I was jazzed. Despite not being able to speak English, she had no problem communicating to me that I was supposed to make a monetary donation – a donation box reads the same in any language – and say a prayer. I don’t remember how much I contributed, a handful of riel that added up to little no doubt, or whether I actually prayed or just faked it. I was there for the shot, not for merit making anyway. But a deal is a deal and along with the photo I took I got a vividly dyed yarn bracelet tied around my wrist, proof that I’d tended to my soul.
By the fifth time I ran across an old Khmer woman tending a shrine deep within an ancient crumbling temple in Cambodia in one afternoon, I figured out that bracelet filled with blessings really was intended as a mark to alert all the other old shrine tenders that a live one had just stumbled upon their little corner of the wat. No problemo. I got several cool photographs, a wrist highly decorated with neon pieces of yarn, and it all cost me less than ten bucks. And when I went out that night to get plastered on Pub Street – which may have negated the effect of all of the Buddhist blessings I’d racked up that day – my wrist looked pretty cool. It looked even cooler after another day of touring wats and adding another handful of bracelets to my arm.
In Thailand you might be lucky enough to be blessed my a real monk and get a thin string bracelet tied around your wrist too. But in Thailand that means something. Other than that you are good for a donation of a wad of the local currency. I still was sporting my Buddhist bracelets when I got back to Bangkok and my friend Noom was mighty impressed, if not in a bit of awe. Preparing to go hit the bars that night I started cutting the bracelets off my wrist and I thought he was going to have a heart attack. And I ended up wearing them for three more days until I took off for Chiang Mai sans Noom. And sans bracelets as soon as I got to the airport.
The old Khmer woman tending a shrine deep within an ancient crumbling temple in Cambodia photo became a staple of my visits to Cambodia. I’m not sure why, but those bracelets all ended up packed in my suitcase at the end of the trip. I look at the photos more, but there’s a nice little collection of colorful yarn tucked away in one of my drawers still today.
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taospeaks said:
I “married” a Chinese guy; well its been 25 years we have been together and I don’t care what the law says, we are married.
Big family, all refugees from Laos and for some reason they all were relocated to the very same town.
So, we have Confucius (which they know nothing about but its in their DNA), then you have Buddhism, and now Baptist.
So, yarn around the wrist, yep I have done that a thousand times, I two concrete foo dogs guarding the front door, a 4 foot tall concrete fat chinese guy in the front yard, two chinese spirit houses in our home, a 4 foot tall wooden Thai Spirit house in the living room (that was a nightmare to get from Thailand in one piece). I also have at least 12 other deities in statue form around the home all doing whatever it is they are supposed to do.
Oh, once we were given a poster of the Thai King and Queen, so that cheap poster cost me $300 for a very ornate frame so it could be hung in the living room. I tell the people who ask that that are my partners parents.
I am not even going to discuss the Japanese Koi fishpond in the backyard. But we can’t have a weeping willow because its bad luck when the branches touch the ground.
Been to every Buddhist temple in LA, SF, ORD, and NYC I have also been to every Chinese temple there also. In fact we go to Chinatown EVERYDAY when visiting these cities. In LA we also have to visit Thai Town everyday and in ORD, we have to visit Vietnamville everyday too. Oh, and never pass up a chance to have your fortune told…even if you go to Venice Beach, you are going to have your fortune told.
I have plants that are to bring you good luck, money, and or good health; no one can remember which one does what…
I have burned more incense over the last 25 years and bowed three times, making sure that my head touched the floor so many times…
Now the nieces and nephews are getting married, so that means an American wedding, a Buddhist ceremony (in custume with monks) and a Chinese ceremony (I think this one came from watching way too many chinese movies).
There is stuff hanging above the stairs to do something when you walk under it, there is shiny stuff hanging above all the doors to ward off evil spirits.
Ever have a Chinese explain to you the difference between the races? There are three classes of Asians, Class A (Chinese) Class B (Thais and Laotians) and then Class C (Cambodians and anyone with dark skin).
Not real sure where Vietnamese fit in, but that anamosity must go back a long time because they don’t even make the Asian scale.
I hired a young Cambodian kid to work for me a few years ago; a really great kid and really bright. He was dark, really dark, but really cute and very likeable, he was also six feet tall, so his Mom told everyone I was his Dad….I am 6’10” tall.
He was okay, because he and his family knew their place. When invited over they always made sure to sit with their heads below everyone else.
He worked for me while in college, he took to IT like a fish to water, getting his Microsoft and IBM certifications while majoring in Philosophy (okay, I did write a few of his papers). He ends up landing a six figure income but he still wasn’t good enough to marry anyone in the family….
Hell, I should have run away with him when I had the chance. 🙂
Like I say, you can take the princess out of the Forbidden City but you can’t take the Forbidden City out of the Princess….
Bangkokbois said:
“I tell the people who ask that that are my partners parents.”
ROFL!
Great comment Tao, thanks for sharing!
I think one of the great things about being in a relationship with a guy from another culture is being exposed to all the stuff that makes you just shake your head. Espcially about the stuff they know they need to do but haven’t a clue as to why!
as-boy said:
why would you wear it off anyway? consider it as a bonus reminder to yourself that you had done something good, like donating for example. :-/
Mine was getting thinned and wore off itself not nearly full one month after got blessed in the new year. i hope its a good sign. I missed it anyway.
Al said:
Wat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai I had me first experience of kneeling in front of a monk, had the water sprikled with the big feather duster and the yarn bracelet applied.
Felt quite special actually. I think it’s the only time I knelt in front of a Thai and didn’t have to part with 1000 baht or so.
Bangkokbois said:
Yup, in Thailand it really is a special event – and every Thai you run into while you’re still wearing that thing notices it too.
ariel said:
you know what’s crazy, that lady on the first picture was the one who gave me my bracelet when I came to Cambodia October last year. I still have it with me. In Cambodia, it’s said to give you good luck. My friend who went to Chiang Mai said, however, that the bracelet is more like a wish bracelet. Once the bracelet comes off due to normal tear, your wish will be granted. I should probably follow the Cambodian one since mine is still intact lol but I’d keep a wish just in case hahaha!
Bangkokbois said:
Shows you how small the world really is, huh Ariel?
I’ve heard both the luck and wish story on those bracelets too. Some say you are supposed to wear them for 3 days, other 5, 7, or until they fall off (which is sorta like friendship bracelets from South America). They are part of the culture throughout SE Asia where the string plays an even great role in special celebrations like weddings.
Thanks for your comment. And yeah, you should make a wish. You never know . . .
ariel said:
I was searching for its true meaning over the internet and I stumbled upon your blog along the way. mine won’t probably come off for quite some time haha!
Bangkokbois said:
lol
Well you could have stumbled into worse places.
🙂
If I ever get off my butt I’ve an article I’m working on that further expands on those bracelets and strings at temples.