Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk at Temple

How to get a Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk at Temple in Thailand for Men and Women

Getting a Sak Yant Tattoo by a Monk at a Temple is one of the most Spiritual adventures you can have in Thailand. Following are details of Sak Yant Chiang Mai's Monk Temple Visit for a Sak Yant Tattoo and Blessing for both Males and Females.

Table of Contents

What is a Sak Yant Monk?

A Sak Yant Monk is a Buddhist Monk who has specialized in the secret knowledge of magic and blessings associated with the Sak Yant Traditions. While all Buddhist Monks can give Blessings, the Sak Yant Monk has spent years studying ancient texts, different languages and the application of Bamboo Hand Poked Tattooing.

Can a Female Get a Sak Yant from a Monk or Temple?

A common myths regarding Thai Monks and Sak Yant Tattoos is that a ‘Monk can not touch a Female’. This is not true with regards to how Monks must behave in Thailand or prevents Monks from Touching Females. However it is Thai customs and culture that says females should not touch Monks, and while Monks are allowed to touch females, they tend not to as part of Thailand’s traditions not so much Monk restrictions.

Part of this self imposed restrictions means that Sak Yant Monks will not preform Sak Yant Tattoos on females at a Temple. However Monks can preform Sak Yant Tattoos on females (they do it at Sak Yant Chiang Mai’s In-House Service), or a ‘work-around’. This is…..

Having a Sak Yant Ajarn perform the actual Sak Yant at the Temple for females and having the Monk do the Blessing

At Sak Yant Chiang Mai, we provide this option for females and couples who want to share the Sak Yant Experience

Getting a Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk at a Temple in Thailand

Sak Yant Temple Tattoo - The Ultimate Spiritual Adventure

Without a doubt one of the most spiritual experiences you can have in Thailand is receiving a traditional Thai Sak Yant Tattoo by a Monk at a Temple with the magical blessing. Driving through the beautiful countryside of Chiang Mai, passing rural farmers working their rice fields, to arrive at a real Buddhist Temple is awe inspiring. Then the experience gets better as the your enter the Sak Yant Temple surrounded by novice Monks preforming their duties and sit before the Sak Yant Monk; the authenticity of the Sak Yant at a Temple by a Monk really hits home.

As the Sak Yant Monk prepares you for your authentic Thai Tattoo, you are surrounded by Buddhist statues, ancient Sak Yant relics, the faint scent of incense and sometimes the chanting of Temple Monks in the Background. Getting a Sak Yant Tattoo at a Temple by a Monk creates a magical emotional connection to Sak Yant you are about to receive.

Sak Yant by Temple Monk Options

Sak Yant Chiang Mai is the only place in Thailand where a female can get a Sak Yant Tattoo at a Thai Temple or from a Monk. Here we compare the options between Males and Females (or Couples wishing to have the experience together). They are

Sak Yant at Temple by Monk – Males Only – Males can receive a Sak Yant Tattoo by a Monk at a Temple
Sak Yant at Temple by Ajarn | Blessing by Monk Having a Sak Yant Ajarn perform the actual Sak Yant at the Temple for females and having the Monk do the Blessing

1) Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk at Temple for Males

Visit a working Sak Yant Monk at their rural temple and experience the Sak Yant Tradition old school style. Males are still able to get a Sak Yant at Temples by a Monk and females may watch but not get a Sak Yant themselves.

Males Only

Temple Times

Monday-Saturday
9.00 am – 12.30 pm
1.30 pm – 5.30 pm

Cost of Temple Sak Yant

3000 Baht
Extra Person getting Sak Yant 1500 Baht
Extra Person watching only 500 Baht
Monk Donation Starts: ฿ 1000 for normal size Sak Yant

Tour Departure Location

Tour guide will pick up and drop off at our store location in Chiang Mai Old City. We do not pick you up from your hotel as you need to be prepared before going to receive your Sak Yant, and we apply aftercare – this must be done from our shop location. Come a few minutes early. Click Here for Map

Restrictions

2 people can go on Morning Tour
3 people in Afternoon Tour
Tidy Dress Required

2) Sak Yant at Temple by Ajarn, Blessing by Monk | for Females or Couples

If a female or couple wishes to get a Sak Yant at a Temple, this is done by an Ajarn (Sak Yant Master) and then the Tattoo is blessed by the Sak Yant Monk. This experience allows those who really desire to have the Sak Yant Tattoo done in the beauty and spiritual grounds of the Temple itself. If enough notice is given, it may be possible for both the Monk and Ajarn to work together (monk for Males, Ajarn for Females) and then have the Monk do the final Blessing.

Temple Times

Monday-Saturday
9.00 am – 12.30 pm
1.30 pm – 5.30 pm

Cost of Monk Samnak Sak Yant

3000 Baht
Extra Person getting Sak Yant 1500 Baht
Extra Person watching only 500 Baht
Monk Donation Starts: ฿ 1000 for normal size Sak Yant

Tour Departure Location

Restrictions

2 people can go on Morning Tour
3 people in Afternoon Tour
Tidy Dress Required

What to Expect Getting a Sak Yant at a Temple by a Monk

Getting a Sak Yant at a Temple by a Monk - It's becoming more difficult

Sadly a Sak Yant Temple Tattoo by a Monk is also becoming one of the most difficult things to experience outside of Wat Bang Phra Temple in Bangkok. For a number of years the head Monk in Thai Buddhism is attempting to stop Monks from any engaging in old and traditional magical arts. Over the last few years the number of Monks preforming the Sak Yant in Temples is getting smaller, as the Buddhist council is forcing more and more of them to either stop practicing ancient Thai traditions, or leave the monk-hood and become an Ajarn.

This situation has made the Monks very reluctant to now accept people coming to the Temple for a Sak Yant unannounced without knowing how to pay proper respect to the Buddhist protocols. In reaction to this situation, many tour operators have started to avoid the Temples and Monks and rely solely on individual Sak Yant Ajarns. The good news is, at Sak Yant Chiang Mai we can show you how to get a Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk at a Temple. Sak Yant Chiang Mai has 4 different Temple Monks who have agreed to allow us to bring them Sak Yant guests.

How to get a Thai Tattoo by Monk at a Sak Yant Temple

First you will come to Sak Yant Chiang Mai at our shop location in the Old City located at 27Arak Road. Click Here for Map

Arrive 10-15 minutes before so that the staff can make sure you are suitably dressed (and provide clothes if not), and brief you on the Tour. We will go over your design choice and reasons for getting the Sak Yant Tattoo for the Blessing. It is important for you to know the reasons you are wanting to get a Sak Yant at a Temple since the Sak Yant Monk has to choose the best design for your magical desires. By talking with the staff at Sak Yant Chiang Mai, we can explain to the Sak Yant Monk what design and reasons for that particular design, as well as any changes to the Blessing he will give.

Once we start, we will take you to a local market to purchase your offerings. The Offering usually involves 12 flowers, some incense, cigarettes, food, water, which we buy as part of our Tour Service.

You will then be taken to a genuine working Sak Yant Monk and Temple serving the needs of the local rural community. While we arrange ahead of time if the Monk is available, sometimes things come up in their normal work day. There might be local people there as well seeking the Monks services – you may have to wait your turn with the locals.

You will take off your shoes and sit on the floor along with the local people who have come for temple services. The locals will have a range of problems ranging from the serious to a good luck blessing. Some will have a serious demeanor, and some will be the typical Thai’s with a big smile and be talking away to you in Thai.

Etiquette for getting a Sak Yant Tattoo at a Temple

After you enter the Sak Yant Temple and sit in front of the Monk. You will greet the monk, with a “Wai” and keep your body lower than the Sak Yant Monk. This is done 3 times.

It is polite to first wai to the Temple Monk as is a sign of respect to the position of monk or elder. You will present your small “offering to the spirits” before the Sak Yant ceremony begins.

The Offering is showing respect to the monk that is going to do Sak Yant for you. Its a way to show them that you are prepared to accept their magic power and trust their skills.

This offering should be arranged on a tray which is included flowers, incense and a candle and the money offing. The monk will have a small accepting ceremony of the offering, on behalf of the spirits.

First thing you have to do is bow 3 times to respect as Buddhism way;

1 for Buddha
2 for Buddhism
3 for the Monk

While you are waiting, the Monk will talk with your guide asking for validation that you are a deserving person and what you magical intention and desires are associated with the Blessing.

Your guide will translate all of this for you so don’t worry – you are not expected to get everything right.

The Monk will prepare for your Sak Yant and magical Blessing. The Monk will sit in his chair and motion you to come over. You will then start one of the most Spiritual experiences in your life!

After the Temple Sak Yant and Blessing is Finished.

After the Sak Yant it is completed, you will turn around and again bow 3 times to thank the monk.

Now is time for the blessing. Usually you will take your offering and both you and the monk will hold onto it for a few minutes while the Monk recites the blessing incantation. This is the magical part of the Sak Yant experience.

Staff Tip’s

Salaries in Thailand are very low, around US$300 per month, and every person employed in hospitality relies on Tip’s to make up for the low salaries. If you feel like a tip has been earned – the staff appreciate more than you can know

How to Get a Buddhist Temple Sak Yant by Monk in Chiang Mai

The following is the Sak Yant Chiang Mai Experience for visiting and getting a Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk at a Temple. It is important to know, that if you are looking for where to get a Sak Yant by Monk, that only Males are able to receive the Sak Yant within the Temple grounds. Females are still able to get a Sak Yant Tattoo by Monk – however it is at their off site holy room (called a Samnak). If wanting information on Sak Yants in general … please go here