Sakyant Tattooing

---

"Sak Yant" means to tattoo a sacred yantra into the skin.

A very old tradition of tattooing originating in present day Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma. 

The style of Sakyant is unique in many ways, and incorporates Buddhism, Animism, Hinduism, Sacred Geometry and local customs to bring the believer beneficial qualities.

These qualities include good luck, protection, good fortune, success in business, evade danger, ward off evil, health, charisma, authority, success with lovers and many more.

Sakyant is only tattooed by an Ajarn, which comes from the Pali word "Ariya," meaning master. They can be laypeople, Ascetic hermits called Ruesi, Buddhist monks and Shamans. Buddhist monks that apply Sakyant are called "Phra Ajarn," and the Layperson is simply called "Ajarn." It is a complicated and long process to become an Ajarn, with years of studying ancient texts, Buddhism, folklore, rituals, mantras, meditation and peculiarities unique to each Ajarn's lineage.

Sakyant tattooing is agreed to start a few hundreds of years ago from documented art depicting people sporting the sacred tattoos, but folklore talks of going back over 1,000 years. 

Originally it can be traced back to men (usually warriors) wanting a protective charm from their local monk or Brahmin priest. The Ajarn would write on a cloth sacred geometric designs, animalistic totems or prayers to protect the warrior on the battlefields. Despite their best efforts, these could be lost, so the process of using a long, sharp needle to poke ink into the skin began. 

These needles are collectively called "khem-sak," and have evolved over the decades from sharpened bamboo, thorns, to stainless steel needles. These khem-sak are extremly sharp, and have a thin split which holds a small amount of ink when the Ajarn dips it into the ink well. Then the Ajarn would place the back of his hand against the skin, drawing it down and sliding the khem-sak between the thumb and forefinger, poking the designs into the skin. 

The original style of the tattooing is called "kai-plaa" which means "fish egg" as the sakyant was made up of dozens of small, unconnected dots. Nowadays most Ajarn uses continual lines for the sakyant, and it is a stark contrast to the kai-plaa style.

Anybody that believes in the power of sakyant, can abide by the rules, and is dedicated to living a good life can receive a sakyant tattoo.

We have applied sakyant to people from a variety of backgrounds; Buddhist, Hindu, Thai, Westerners, Christians and more. It is not strictly a Buddhist practice, although many of the motifs and prayers are Buddhist.

Ajarns from different lineages will have a rule set that can vary from Ajarn to Ajarn. But the rules we need our luuksit (people who receive sakyant from us) are are follows;

1. Do no kill

2. Do not steal

3. Do not be sexually promiscuous

4. Do not lie

5. Do not take intoxicating substances

6. Respect your parents

7. Respect your Ajarn

8. Respect other luuksit 

9. Try to live a moral life

10. Be generous & giving

Sakyant is very a very different experience to a regular tattoo, and can seem to be a bit overwhelming. What do I do? What do I ask? What is the process? Don't let these anxious thoughts deter you from enquiring about sakyant. 

Here is a quick guide on the process;

1. Contact us with any questions, including availability, design choice, cost etc.

2. Come to our office (called samnak sakyant.)

3. You bow to the Ajarn, and to the Buddha and other deities.

4. Have a chat with your Ajarn about what is happening in your life and we will help you decide upon a sakyant design for you. We have hundreds of designs, and can make something personalised for you as well.

5. You put the payment , some flowers and anything you would like to gift the Ajarn on the offering plate and offer to your Ajarn, his teachers, the Buddha, deities, spirits and Ruesi. You 

6. The Ajarn will either hand draw the design on you, or apply a ready-made transfer and he will begin the process.

7. You can be quiet, or chat along with your Ajarn, up to you. You are very welcome to take photos and videos of your experience.

8. When the sakyant is completed, the Ajarn will recite special mantras to bless and empower the sakyant design.

9. You thank your Ajarn, and care for your sakyant as you would a normal tattoo.

If you feel like you need sakyant in your life, or you would simply like more information, you are very welcome to contact us.

Ajarn Mat operates during the weekdays, and Ajarn Pinky via appointment. Send us an email with any questions you may have.