Brahma Shrine - Las Vegas, NV
Posted by: 
DopeyDuck
N 36° 06.946 W 115° 10.416
11S E 664376 N 3998333
Quick Description: Located near the Serendipity Restaurant at Caesar's Palace. This authentic replica of one of Thailand's most popular Buddhist shrines is thought to bring visitors good luck. It's the only one of its kind in the western world (as of 1984).
Location: Nevada, United States
Date Posted: 7/28/2009 8:54:17 PM
Waymark Code: WM6WK6
Views: 5
Long Description:
The plaques read:
"The Brahma Shrine is renowned throughout the far east, to people
of all faiths, as a place of prayer which in turn bestows
prosperity and good fortune on those who come to visit and make
their hopes and wishes known.
The casting ceremonies for the four-faced, eight-handed statue of
the Brahma were held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 25, 1983 and
many important religious authorities and international dignitaries
participated."
"The installation, on this site of the magnificent four-faced
Brahma Shrine was made possible through the warm, generous and
wholehearted sponsorship of
Mr. & Mrs. Kamphol Vacharaphol
Mr. Yip Hon
February 5, 1984
Caesars Palace"
According to a Caesars Palace press release, "The Brahma Shrine on
the north lawn of Caesars Palace is an authentic replica of one of
Thailand's most popular Buddhist shrines. The original was
installed more than 30 years ago at the Erawan Hotel in Bangkok to
ward off bad luck after the hotel had suffered various disasters
during its construction. Troubles were said to have ended after the
installation, and the hotel enjoyed success. Through the years, the
Thai shrine has also been associated with good fortune and
prosperity.
The Caesars shrine, the only one of its kind in the Western world,
was fashioned in Thailand. Its ceremonial pouring in Bangkok on
November 25, 1983, was attended by nuns, priests and Thai
dignitaries. The statue was a gift to Caesars from Thai newspaper
tycoon Kamphol Vacharaphol and his wife Praneetslipa and from Mr.
Yip Hon, a leading citizen of Hong Kong. It was cast in bronze and
plated in gold. Its housing is pre-cast concrete covered with tiny
pieces of beveled glass and measures 14 feet high. Both the statue
and the casing were assembled at Caesars Palace after air shipment
in pieces. Their estimated total weight is more than 8,000 pounds.
Formal dedication ceremonies at Caesars on February 5, 1984, were
conducted under the supervision of Buddhist monks, with a troupe of
21 Thai dancers and musicians participating. Since that time, many
visitors have expressed gratitude for wishes granted by offering
flowers, joss sticks (incense), financial contributions (which
Caesars donates to charities in Thailand) or by placing small
wooden elephants nearby. Some have released live sparrows or
arranged the services of dancers to perform at the statue, in
keeping with customary observances.
Thai-Buddhist tradition associates Brahma with creation. Brahma is
believed to have ridden a three-headed elephant named Erawan, hence
the connection with the Bangkok hotel, and the use of small
elephants at both the Eastern shrine in Bangkok and the Western
shrine in Las Vegas. The four faces of the Brahma statue represent
the Four Divine States of Mind: Loving Kindness, Compassion,
Sympathy and Equanimity.
At Caesars Palace, the Brahma Shrine stands as a tribute to an
ancient culture, and a wish for prosperity and good luck to all who
visit the resort." Source: http://nbi.com/hk/cyf/about/szeto.html
Material(s): Bronze, plated with gold, beveled glass
Associated Religion or Church: Buddhism & people of all faiths
Parking Coordinates: N 36° 07.092 W 115° 10.620
Website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Include an original photo of the Outdoor Altar with your visit log.