Erawan Shrine • How to Pray to Four Face Buddha 📍 Bangkok 曼谷四面佛 • 伊拉旺神坛 ☎ +66 2 252 8750

Erawan_Shrine_Four_Face_Buddha_Bangkok_曼谷四面佛 • 伊拉旺神坛

Every time I am in Bangkok, which is at least once a year since decades ago, a stop at Erawan Shrine is inevitable.

I mean the Chidlom area is the heart of Bangkok's tourist belt and Erawan Shrine is the megapolis' spiritual core for many Bangkokians and tourists.

Officially known as Thao Maha Brahma, Erawan Shrine is located steps from Chit Lom BTS station, at the northwest edge of Grand Hyatt Erawan, and the intersection of Ratchadamri Road and Rama I / Phloen Chit Road.

Erawan Shrine was consecrated in 1956.

At that time, the construction of Erawan Hotel which began in 1951 met with many difficulties and delays including workplace accidents.

Astrologer Rear Admiral Luang Suvichan Paet said that the foundation of Erawan Hotel was laid at an inauspicious time, hence the obstacles.

To clear potential obstacles to the hotel's future success, Rear Admiral Luang Suvichan Paet advised that a shrine dedicated to Phra Phrom (Lord Brahma) be consecrated outside Erawan Hotel.

Erawan Shrine was consecrated on 9 Nov 1956 (Lord Brahma's birthday), just before Erawan Hotel opened its doors.

Phra Phrom, the four face deity can see in all directions of heaven and earth, and can clear the path of the faithful.

Phra Phrom is the Thai representation of Hindu god Lord Brahma.

* Note: So, the term "Four Face Buddha 四面佛" is a misnomer as Phra Phrom is a Hindu deity (not Buddha) who is worshipped as a guardian spirit by Thai Buddhists.

Lord Brahma is the creator of everything - physical, knowledge / wisdom, and teachings in the vedas (Hindu scriptures).

Erawan Hotel was demolished in 1987 and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel which opened in 1991 was built on the site.

The Erawan Shrine was preserved.

Today, Erawan Shrine is one of Bangkok's most visited landmarks. Devotees and visitors pray for Phra Phrom's blessings for the future. Flower, candle and incense offerings can be purchased at the shrine for a nominal price.

Devotees whose prayers are granted give thanks with traditional dancers.

How to pray at Erawan Shrine

Meaning of the faces of the Four Face Deity

The first face as you enter from the front entrance (gate) is the career face. Moving clockwise (going left), is the romance / relationship face. The next is wealth face and the fourth is the health and safety face.

Pray in a clockwise direction. Starting at the entrance from career, to relationships, then wealth to health & safety.

Do not pray randomly or in an anticlockwise direction. Do not pray only to one face or miss any one of the four faces.

At each face when praying, identify yourself to the Four Face Deity. Who you are, your date of birth, where you come from, your address, what is your wish, when and how you intend to thank the deity when your wish is granted.

Elephant offerings for Phra Phrom (Lord Brahma)

Common offerings to thank Four Face Deity for wishes granted are 7-colour garland, traditional dance, or elephant sculpture. (So, coming to Erawan Shrine to pray requires prior preparation on what we wish for and how we will thank the deity for wishes granted.)

At each face, after praying and making your wish, offer three incense sticks (so a total of 12 incense sticks), one candle and one garland of flowers. Offer only fresh flowers, fruits or vegetables.

The most auspicious time to pray to Four Face Deity is on Thursday nights.

Pray with a faithful and trusting heart. The greater your faith, the deeper your trust, the more likely Four Face Deity will grant your wishes.

After praying and making our wishes, we need to put in effort to accomplish what we wished for. As the saying goes "God help those, who help themselves".

I wish you the best.

Reference: 泰国"四面佛" • 有求必应及最灵验的神佛之一

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