Attack on Bangkok's Lord Brahma (old picture attached)

[Guest guest]

Namaksar and thank you for posting this most important information.........is

good to know how the world is changeing as this gives all a broader

understanding of other cultures they would not normally come into contact with

Wishing you and Family the Best

DD

In a message dated 4/14/2006 10:44:49 AM Pacific Standard Time, rsbj66 writes:

The Erawan Shrine stands majestically in glittering gold at the busy

junction of Ploenchit and Rajadamri Roads in the heart of downtown

Bangkok. Every day, thousands of devotees both Thai and foreigners pray

at the shrine to seek blessings, fulfillment of dreams, success in

personal lives and careers.

What was the origin of the Erawan Shrine and its legend?

Thais believe that there’s a deity or god residing on every plot of

land. Before construction of any structure on the land, a ceremony must

be held on an auspicious date to lay the foundation so as to appease

the deity.

When the project is completed a permanent shrine consisting of a spirit

house, housing the chosen deity, is erected at an auspicious location

on the plot of land. This accounts for the spirit houses in the gardens

of many Thai houses.

In 1953, work commenced to construct the Erawan Hotel some 50 metres

behind the present location of the shrine. The required ceremony of

appeasing the land deity was duly conducted.

However, the project was dogged by delays and mishaps that spooked the

rural Thai construction workers to the point of halting their work

completely.

The hapless contractor turned in desperation to the advice of a

well-respected astrologer, who discovered that the foundation stone of

the building was not laid on an auspicious date.

To reverse the tide of misfortune, a shrine had to be constructed to

honor the god Brahma. The shrine was inaugurated at the junction on 9

November 1956, a date carefully chosen this time.

Many foreign visitors refer to the deity as the four-faced Buddha. This

is a misnomer. Brahma was a four-faced Hindu god worshipped in

Brahmanism, a religious system under orthodox Hinduism. The Thais call

Brahma, Than Tao MahaProm or Phra Phrom.

The shrine was named Erawan after Brahma’s three-headed elephant. The

construction of the hotel proceeded without any further delays and the

building was soon finished.

Word of the power of the shrine spread far and wide and the legend of

the Erawan Shrine was born. Thais and foreigners, particularly tourists

from SE Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong flocked to the shrine to seek the

blessings of Brahma.

When the international 5 star Hyatt hotel chain took over the original

Erawan Hotel and rebuilt it, the Hyatt management wisely retained the

Erawan Shrine and adopted the name

Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

It doesn’t pay to tamper with matters that can’t be completely

explained by the laws of logic.

In late 2004, a new boutique mall opened up just behind the shrine and

yes, it adopted the name Erawan Bangkok.

On the morning of 21 March 2006, tragedy struck . A mentally ill man

smashed and destroyed the revered image of Brahma at the Erawan Shrine.

He was beaten to death on the spot by two workers who have been charged

for the offence.

The brutal killing of a mentally ill man for grossly vandalizing a

revered Hindu deity in a predominantly Buddhist society is a cause for

some soul searching.

The Department of Fine Arts is replacing the origin gold plated plaster

statue with a metal one made of an alloy, nawaloha, consisting of nine

metals including gold and silver.

The new statue is expected to be ready in two months time. Meanwhile

the Erawan Shrine has reopened for worshippers on 23 March. The smashed

image, however, is covered with a white cloth.

Cost of the new statue is estimated at 20 m baht or almost US$ 0.5 m.

The Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation that is responsible for the shrine

welcomes donations from devotees. Donations can also be in the form of

any metal.

In spite of this setback, the Erawan Shrine retains its aura to this

day and remains a Bangkok legacy that pulls thousands of faithful

worshippers, many of whom are waiting for the new statue to be ready.

Ref. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-2-2006-92458.asp

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Attachment: (image/jpeg) brahma-erawan.jpg [not stored]

[Guest guest]

The Erawan Shrine stands majestically in glittering gold at the busy

junction of Ploenchit and Rajadamri Roads in the heart of downtown

Bangkok. Every day, thousands of devotees both Thai and foreigners pray

at the shrine to seek blessings, fulfillment of dreams, success in

personal lives and careers.

 

What was the origin of the Erawan Shrine and its legend?

 

Thais believe that there’s a deity or god residing on every plot of

land. Before construction of any structure on the land, a ceremony must

be held on an auspicious date to lay the foundation so as to appease

the deity.

 

When the project is completed a permanent shrine consisting of a spirit

house, housing the chosen deity, is erected at an auspicious location

on the plot of land. This accounts for the spirit houses in the gardens

of many Thai houses.

 

In 1953, work commenced to construct the Erawan Hotel some 50 metres

behind the present location of the shrine. The required ceremony of

appeasing the land deity was duly conducted.

 

However, the project was dogged by delays and mishaps that spooked the

rural Thai construction workers to the point of halting their work

completely.

 

The hapless contractor turned in desperation to the advice of a

well-respected astrologer, who discovered that the foundation stone of

the building was not laid on an auspicious date.

 

To reverse the tide of misfortune, a shrine had to be constructed to

honor the god Brahma. The shrine was inaugurated at the junction on 9

November 1956, a date carefully chosen this time.

 

Many foreign visitors refer to the deity as the four-faced Buddha. This

is a misnomer. Brahma was a four-faced Hindu god worshipped in

Brahmanism, a religious system under orthodox Hinduism. The Thais call

Brahma, Than Tao MahaProm or Phra Phrom.

 

The shrine was named Erawan after Brahma’s three-headed elephant. The

construction of the hotel proceeded without any further delays and the

building was soon finished.

 

Word of the power of the shrine spread far and wide and the legend of

the Erawan Shrine was born. Thais and foreigners, particularly tourists

from SE Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong flocked to the shrine to seek the

blessings of Brahma.

 

When the international 5 star Hyatt hotel chain took over the original

Erawan Hotel and rebuilt it, the Hyatt management wisely retained the

Erawan Shrine and adopted the name

Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

 

It doesn’t pay to tamper with matters that can’t be completely

explained by the laws of logic.

 

In late 2004, a new boutique mall opened up just behind the shrine and

yes, it adopted the name Erawan Bangkok.

 

On the morning of 21 March 2006, tragedy struck . A mentally ill man

smashed and destroyed the revered image of Brahma at the Erawan Shrine.

He was beaten to death on the spot by two workers who have been charged

for the offence.

 

The brutal killing of a mentally ill man for grossly vandalizing a

revered Hindu deity in a predominantly Buddhist society is a cause for

some soul searching.

 

The Department of Fine Arts is replacing the origin gold plated plaster

statue with a metal one made of an alloy, nawaloha, consisting of nine

metals including gold and silver.

 

The new statue is expected to be ready in two months time. Meanwhile

the Erawan Shrine has reopened for worshippers on 23 March. The smashed

image, however, is covered with a white cloth.

 

Cost of the new statue is estimated at 20 m baht or almost US$ 0.5 m.

The Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation that is responsible for the shrine

welcomes donations from devotees. Donations can also be in the form of

any metal.

 

In spite of this setback, the Erawan Shrine retains its aura to this

day and remains a Bangkok legacy that pulls thousands of faithful

worshippers, many of whom are waiting for the new statue to be ready.

 

Ref. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/4-2-2006-92458.asp

 

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.

Attachment: (image/jpeg) brahma-erawan.jpg [not stored]