About Us

One of the most popular spirits in Thailand and the inspiration behind this site, Phra Ngang Taa Daen is the naughty “Underworld Buddha” believed to assist in matters of attraction, luck and protection.

BuddhistMagic.com was created to serve as an outlet for my fascination with Thai sorcery charms – portable fetishes of spirits and supernatural creatures made from bronze, clay, earth and sacred herbs and carried by many Thais for good luck in gambling, romance, etc.

The products of an ancient strain of animist shamanism syncretized with Theravada Buddhism throughout the “magic kingdom,” these curious little amulets and figurines- often depicting ghosts, animals and folk saints engaged in frankly erotic activity – are consecrated by monks and lay mystics in esoteric rituals lasting many days, weeks, and sometimes even years.

Renowned in Thailand for their visual power,soulful grit and matter-of-fact role in the human comedy, these weird, wonderful and hard-to-find folk art creations remain largely unknown outside Southeast Asia, yet easily rival the sequined Loa flags of Haiti or the gnawa music of Moroccan mysticism for aesthetic impact and sheer hypnotic presence.

My goal with this site is to introduce the enigmatic tradition sometimes called “Thai Voodoo”to the American public, while explaining a bit about the different amulets and their purposes, who their makers are, how to care for them, and a few of the legends and lore behind their use.

Whether you believe in the mysterious powers of Southeast Asian magic or not, the fascination these “precious objects” hold is undeniable – and I sincerely hope that they can enrich your life as much as they have my own.