May 5, 2008...6:22 pm
Body Vows: Amy L.’s Dharma tattoo(s)
Big thanks to reader Amy Leveque, who sends this shot of her Dharma tattoo(s):
As she writes:
“I have 5 tattoos in all. They’ve become more ornate as my practice grew.
“It started with “karma” on my right shoulder, and then it was the peace symbol on my left. Next I got the endless knot. After that I designed my own take on the golden fish. I wanted them to be intertwined in a type of eternity symbol instead of swimming head to head as usually depicted. My latest is Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hum.
“I would eventually like to get all of the eight auspicious symbols. The next will be the lotus. Blue, I think.”
Cool, Amy keep going. And thanks for sending.
…by the way, it should be noted that sometimes the Horse gets emails that, um, take exception with Buddhists getting Buddhist tattoos. Here’s one such example (with name withheld and typos uncorrected):
“just seen your buddha tattoo’s and found that its a big shame to think that you all need tattoos on order for you all to remember your so called faith, Buddhas are pure and im supprised you dont think it is so disrespectful to put buddhas pure images on bodies that at some point get dirty, smelly and sweaty, you should all have more respect and faith.”
OK. So that’s one such opinion. But what do YOU think?
7 Comments
May 5, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Very awesome dharma Tats !! She represnets the epitome of “the female form”, the “ying-yang”. As long as the body as a temple is treated with honor and respect how could a buddhist object.? I sure don’t. Keep your faith dear Amy and continue in your honor of Buddha~
Peace, Love & Light
Debra Wind
May 5, 2008 at 10:50 pm
lookin good girl. cool ink on a beautiful back.
May 6, 2008 at 12:58 am
In that case no images of Buddha should be made at all- everything will eventually change, and become dirty and cease to exist. Sonnet 65 from Shakespeare said it best:
Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,
But sad mortality o’er-sways their power,
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,
Whose action is no stronger than a flower?
O, how shall summer’s honey breath hold out
Against the wreckful siege of battering days,
When rocks impregnable are not so stout,
Nor gates of steel so strong, but Time decays?
O fearful meditation! where, alack,
Shall Time’s best jewel from Time’s chest lie hid?
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?
O, none, unless this miracle have might,
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.
I do think that getting a tattoo of your faith, whatever it may be, must be a serious decision and, as the horse has so aptly put it, a body vow that will stay with us and remind us of our faith for the remainder of our lives. I really don’t think Buddha would mind.
May 6, 2008 at 4:21 am
cool
May 6, 2008 at 11:45 am
I suppose if it enhances your commitment to the path, then it isn’t a big deal… I wouldn’t do it because it smacks of using the dharma as a status symbol, but that is my line of thinking, and not what some people may think when they have a tattoo done.
May 6, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I want one Buddhist tattoo, that could only be seen by me, my spouse and doctor. I would see it when I needed instant reminding, but it would not be something to show off.
May 7, 2008 at 7:15 am
That’s exactly why I have mine on my back. They are for me and me alone. I do not have them as status symbols as TCR said but as a reminder to myself of my commitment to the path.
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