Since ancient times people of many religions have cast midget or miniature idols including Buddhas. A vast number of midget icons have been discovered in India and Sri Lanka, dating 8th – 9th centuries. Tibetan and Chinese style Buddha images have also been found.
The oldest midget Buddha discovered in South East Asia both in alloy and of terra cotta, were created by the Pyu in pre-Burma. Images in the Pagan style dating to the 11th – 14th centuries had also been discovered in Burma. The oldest Buddha amulets discovered in Thailand are in the Dhavaravati style, dating of the 9th – 10th centuries.
The erosion of the face and of the upper part of the eyes suggests that in the ancient times, people kept their idols with them while traveling.
We don’t know when necklaces began to be worn with Buddha images as pendants but people from South East Asia wore charms such as amulets and talisman in the form of animal teeth in which magic spell can be cast.
In ancient time midget Buddhas were always wrapped up in a piece of cloth and tied abut the head above ears while people were at work or in battle. A king would pin Buddha images around his hat (Naresuan, 16th century).
It had been assumed that the tradition of wearing Buddha image pendants began during the 19th century as an adaptation of the European priests crucifixes.
S. Lopetcharat
