The relationship between Buddhist and animist amulets in contemporary Thailand: PHRA KHRUEANG and KHRUEANG RANG

Abstract

This research focuses on the practice of Buddhist and animist amulets in contemporary Thailand, so called PHRA KHRUEANG and KHRUEANG RANG in Thai. PHRA KHRUEANG and KHRUEANG RANG are presented in response to demonstrate the relationship between Buddhist and animist amulets, and thus between Buddhism and animism, which have been influenced by the heightened process of religious syncretism. The study argues that there is no clear separation between the religiosity of the amulets moving from ‘purely’ animist amulets to ‘purely’ Buddhist Buddha images, Thai religiosity flows uninterrupted in a changing yet interconnected spectrum as in the visible light spectrum. A range of studies compared three categories within PHRA KHRUEANG and KHRUEANG RANG in order to highlight their relationship in terms of physical features and functions which are Forms, Functions, and Empowerment respectively.