Brahma Shrine - Las Vegas, NV
Posted by: 
DopeyDuck
N 36° 06.946 W 115° 10.416
11S E 664376 N 3998333
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).
Waymark Code: WM6WK6
Location: Nevada, United States
Date Posted: 07/28/2009
Views: 64
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.