Phra Phrom
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Phra Phrom is the Thai representation of the Hindu god Brahma. A great example of this representation is the statue of Brahma at the Erawan Shrine.
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[edit] Background
For more than 5000 years, the disciples of Brahmana were known to have paid homage to Phra Phom as their highest esteemed God in their religion. The origin of this was that the Brahmana religion believed that these 3 Gods combined their powers to create the world. This religion was mainly symbolised by 3 major Gods:
- Brahma : Creator of the world and all things
- Vishnu : Preserver of all things
- Siva : Destroyer that makes all things exist and perish according to nature's cycles
The wives of these 3 Gods are also their capable assistants who also helped in the creation of the world. Brahma's wife is known as Saraswati which means the Goddess of great wisdom.
In Hinduism, Brahma is believed to be the creator of all things of the world. He is cool-tempered and possesses the highest moral principles. He is full of kindness, mercy, sympathy, and impartiality. These four precepts comprise the "Conscientious Behavior" corresponding to Buddhist teaching which instructs Buddhists of the four Dharma. Besides creating the world, Brahma also creates heaven and human beings.
The features of Phra Phrom usually depict him with four faces and a pair of hands. Many people in Southeast Asia commonly refer to him as the "Four Face Buddha". In fact, in the records of Buddhist literature, he belongs to the class of devas and not of the buddhas.
The significance of the four faces of the Brahma were to offer help to the people who come to him from all directions. It is also believed that there are special significance to the religions items held by the hand and its posture. The significance of the items interpreted are believed to be as follows:
- Sutra: Represents knowledge
- Beads: Controlling karma
- Spear: Will power
- Flower vase: Wish fulfillment
- Conch shell: Wealth and propserity
- Mystic position of hand placed on the chest: compassion
- Flying wheel: To avert disaster and calamities, suppresses evil.
- Cintamani: (a kind of fan used by monks for blessings): Power of blessings.
[edit] Gifts
Worshippers of Phra Phom usually offer jasmine flowers or jasmine garlands and young coconut milk (with water in them) in their worship. Another common way of worship is to place wooden elephant statues on the altar to honor him. Phra Phrom is also known to admire Thai classical music, which is played near the altar, accompanied by dancers.
Worshippers of Phra Phrom are also usually advised to abstain from consuming meat.
