Buddhist Amulets as a Means for Dhamma practice: A Case Study of Buddhist Amulet of Ajarn Manus Sivapiromrut

Abstract

This research aims to study Buddhist Amulets as a means for Dhamma practice : a case study of making Buddhist amulets of Ajarn Manus Sivapiromrut. The research found that making the amulets are neither credulous nor superstitious beliefs that conflicts with Buddhist teachings as understood by common people, but instead, making the amulets concealed with a profound strategy to help convince both Buddhist amulet makers and amulets users to practice according to the bases of meritorious action, namely,  

1. Merit acquired by giving (Danamaya) – The Buddhist amulet makers have an opportunity to donate Buddhist amulets, and The Buddhist amulet users going to temple for worshiping amulets has an opportunity to make a donation.
2. Moral behavior (Silamaya) - The Buddhist amulet maker must follow the Five Precepts as a minimum requirement in every creational process. In case of the Buddhist amulet users, the amulet will prevent them from breaking precepts because it is forbidden according to Buddhist amulet worshipping rules.
3. Mental development (Bhavanamaya) – The Buddhist amulet must meditate to a very high degree in order to bring sacredness to the Buddhist amulets, and The Buddhist amulet users have an opportunity to meditate from praying to use the Buddhist amulets.