Four-Faced Buddha

Four-Faced Buddha

Highlights

Known as the "responsive deity who grants wishes," you might want to make a wish here — it just might come true.    Introduction

The Four-Faced Buddha refers to Brahma, the principal deity of Hinduism in India. Statues of this deity can be found throughout Thailand, even in private courtyards, but none are as popular or bustling with worshippers as this one. The statue is enshrined in an elaborately crafted granite shrine about 4 meters high, seated upright in full resplendent gold. Each of its four faces, facing the cardinal directions, bears the same serene expression and posture. Legend has it that this Buddha governs all worldly affairs, with each face representing a different blessing: the front face is for business prosperity, the left for love and marriage, the right for health and safety, and the back for wealth and fortune. Another belief holds that the four faces represent the Buddhist virtues of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity — those seeking enlightenment must cultivate these four merits.    Worship Ritual: Devotees typically prepare a set of offerings including 12 sticks of incense, one candle, and four flower garlands. Worship begins at the front, with the candle lit and incense offered, then moving left, then right, and finally to the back, making a full circle. At each face, one flower garland is presented and three sticks of incense are offered (the first for the Buddha, the second for the Buddhist scriptures, and the third for the monks). November 9th is the birthday of the Four-Faced God, attracting many international celebrities and dignitaries who come to offer incense and pay homage. This particular statue was damaged in 2006 but has since been restored.

Bangkok, Thailand