re: leyh
In Southeast Asia,the Thai people and many Chinese worship the "Four-faced Buddha".I have seen many shrines dedicated to him.Could they actually be worshipping Lord Brahma?
re: Avinash
It is possible that they had heard that Brahma is four faced. They liked the idea and made four faced Buddha.
I find that the way Buddhism is practised at present is more similar to Hinduism than to original Buddhism. Idol worship was initially not a part of Buddhism but now many Buddhist temples with different kinds of idols are made and Buddhists worship there.
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Dear friends,
Hinduism has deep root in Thai Culture. So we can see Thai worship Hindu Gods, they adopt the believing directly from India long time ago. Thai believe that whenever Country is in trouble Sri Narayana will send Avatar to earth (Ramayana). You can see Royal and Official Ceremonies practice Hinduism worship in each ceremony and follow up with Buddism worship.
Even The Monasty also call "Chakri Monasty" adopt from Char-ka-ra(Sri Narayana's Weapon)and his Monasty Symbol is Char-ka-ra. His Majasty The King Call "Rama XIII" and his Royal Flag is Garuda (Sri Narayana'Carrier) etc. Some Thai Citizen name also adopt from Hindu name.
The Holy Statue at Erawan Hotel Rachaprasong is confirmed as "Sri Maha Brahma". The statue may look slightly difference because artist had adopted their art and culture of dress into. That might be similar to images or statues of Hindu Gods those are produced by difference artists and regions like may have something slightly not the same.
Some Buddhism Sect also believed that Buddha is one of Sri Narayana's Avartar.
by Thai
