Sak Yant Tattoo

So I just got my 1st tattoo!  This was one of the main reasons I came to Southeast asia and Bangkok specifically.  I had seen my friend’s experience via facebook of course of her receiving her own sak yant tattoo.  Up until that point I had always wanted a tattoo, but just couldn’t commit to anything being on my body for the rest of my life.  That is until I saw her story.  There was a process to it, a ceremony so to speak, where a tattoo master, a former Buddhist monk, talks with you to find out what it is you would like from your tattoo.

I know what you’re thinking, a tattoo in Bangkok? isn’t she afraid of getting HIV or Hepatitis?  I used the same company as my friend, a fellow nurse, and trusted her judgement.  The company I used was Where the Sidewalk Ends and my guide’s name was Valentino who has several of his own sak yant tattoos.  He picked me up at my hotel, spoke very clear English, and we took a taxi to Ajarn Neng’s place.  Valentino gave me a rundown of what to expect as well as made an attempt to get to know me and what I was looking for from the experience.  He is a fellow Taurus who has also had some trouble with love lately.  He’s 27 and desperately wants to move to California, but is unable to obtain a visa despite having applied 5 times at roughly $200 a pop.  Quickly it seems like I just have a friend accompanying me to get my tattoo.

Once we arrive to Ajarn Neng (the tattoo master) house I of course sign a waiver.  After that he answers any questions I have as well as walks me through the process.  There is an altar of sorts that he and I light 9 incense each and pray to Kha Tha, the hindu spiritual teacher.  He walks me through the prayer and I repeat what he says, afterwards making a wish an placing the incense in sand to continue to burn.  Then I sit down and meet with Ajarn Neng.  He asks me what it is I am looking for from my tattoo.  I simply say that I have had a very hard year and have really dug deep to learn and value myself.  To learn of my own self worth and to love myself.  I feel that I have done a lot of work and am really just wanting to be happy, knowing I am the only one that can make myself happy.  I also state that I am looking for someone to share this happiness with, someone to love.

He looks at his assistant, says something in Thai, and his assistant pulls up a picture with meanings.  The picture is of the tattoo he thinks fits what I am looking for.  The words listed are intelligent, success, 4 elements of balance & health, name of 5 Buddha for protection, for good luck, and charming–attract good people back to you.  I looked at it and agreed that it was the right tattoo and meaning for me.  Once it was agreed upon I gave him an offering and we prayed together while his assistant was preparing the stencil of the tattoo.  I changed and got into the right position.  My guide Valentino and the assistant pulled back my skin on either side and Ajarn Neng started the process of tattooing.  It was pretty painful at first, literally feeling every single needlestick, but after a few minutes it got better.  The whole process didn’t take very long, maybe 15-20 minutes.

After the tattoo was complete, Ajarn Neng did a blessing of the tattoo with gold leaf and water, placed his hands on my shoulders and did a chant/prayer.  I really tried to take all of this in and stay clear on what it is I want from this tattoo as well as life from this point forward.  During the tattoo I was very quiet, eyes closed, meditating somewhat and just trying to be present and absorb all of the amazing energy coming from this man and that he was putting that amazing energy into my tattoo.

After it was complete, they sprayed it and bandaged it up to prevent infection and Valentino and I left.  We got in a tuk tuk to a local restaurant and had lunch.  We had pork noodle soup that was delicious and Valentino was able to answer some questions I had regarding some of the things I’ve seen while in Thailand.  It was great to be able to ask questions to someone that was willing to teach me about his culture.  Overall the experience was spiritual as well as educational.  I feel very privileged and grateful to have had this opportunity and be able to carry it with me for the rest of my life.  This trip has been life changing in many different ways and I love that I have a constant reminder of that!