"7 days Buddha"

Astrology is a big issue in Thailand. Thai people mostly know exactly what time we were born. It is believed that life of each person is fixed by destiny and karma (action) from previous lives. On the other hand, those who were born overseas or who are in a new generation, they tend to not believe in this kind of ancient belief. Even though it is not be able to prove by science, this thought has been passed from generation to generation.

Buddhist Thai people have a prayer room in houses for paying respect. Altars are higher from a floor to place respectful sacred Buddha images in a peaceful room or area. We never put them on the same level as we walk. Due to the Thai custom, feet are the lowest part of a body. Stepping on ground, feet are dirty, as a result, we do not put them on a floor. Definitely, we never point our feet to monks, Buddha statues, people or even things. It will be very rude if we use the feet to show things or close a door.

On 7 days from Sunday to Saturday, there are 7 different colors. For instance, Monday is considered as yellow. King Bhumibol was born on Monday, that is why his flag is yellow. People wearing yellow t-shirts to honor him. Friday is regarded as blue. Queen Sirikit was born on Friday. Her royal flag is obviously blue. Definitely, many people wearing blue t-shirts to show respect to her majesty. Seven days also relate to seven different postures of birthday Buddha statues which have seven different meanings.

1. Sunday (red) – Buddha images is in the posture of standing with the right hand covering on the left hand in front of waist. It represents that he attained enlightenment while he was sitting under a Bodhi or Pho tree.

2. Monday (yellow) — Buddha image is in the posture of standing with the right hand raised at chest level with a palm and fingers straight out. It represents that he stopped fighting among his family members from arguing the rights in water from a river for rice paddies .

3. Tuesday (pink) — Buddha image is in the posture of Reclining on the right side. It represents that he was entering Nirvana.

4. Wednesday (green) — There are two positions of Buddha images divided to Wednesday at day time and Wednesday at night time.

4.1 Wednesday at day time (green) — Buddha image is in the posture of standing and holding an alms bowl. It represents receiving.

4.2 Wednesday in the evening (green) — Buddha image is in the posture of seated Buddha image with a monkey and an elephant offering him honeycomb and fruits respectively. It represents respect of all living lives to the Buddha.

5. Thursday (orange) — Buddha image is in the posture of seated Buddha in meditation. It represents meditation.

6. Friday (blue) — Buddha image is in the posture of standing with the right palm covering the left hand at chest level. It represents contemplation that he was thinking how to teach doctrine to others.

7. Saturday (purple) — Buddha image is in the posture of seated Buddha image being protected by a multi-headed Naga (serpent). It represents protection.

It will be so lucky, prosperous, good health and wealthy if we have birthday Buddha images at home. It is the same idea as Chinese having jade with oneself or at home.