ปิดทองหลังพระ

bpìt tong lăng prá[ ปิด ทอง หฺลัง พฺระ ]
Obscure
RareEveryday
Our takeSafe to skip for now
  • Verb
    to do good deeds
    More Detail
    This literally means "Attaching gold lead to the back of a Buddha statue", which comes from the tradition of attaching bits of gold leaf to Buddha status during various merit-making (ทำบุญ) rituals in Thailand. Gold leaf attached to front-facing part of the image is seen by everyone, whereas any attached to the rear is much less likely to be seen even though it's an equally merit-worthy act. Hence ปิดทองหลังพระ has come to be used for anyone doing a good deed even though others may not realise or appreciate it..
    Components3
    ปิดทองbpìt tong
    to gild,cover with gold leaf
    Often heardWorth learning
    หลังlăng
    back,behind,rear
    Very commonLearn this early
    พระprá
    Buddha image,Buddha statue
    Very commonLearn this early