Notable Thai Amulets: Kruba Sriwichai, Luang Pho Kwan Dee, Luang Pu Sai
This article profiles several notable Thai Buddhist amulets from revered monks across Thailand, including Luang Pho Uan's first coin from Maha Sarakham, Luang Pu Sai's rare water-drop edition from Nong Bua Lamphu, Luang Pho Kwan Dee's inaugural coin from Phitsanulok, and a bimetallic coin featuring Kruba Sriwichai and Kruba Surin from Lamphun. Each amulet's design, production details, and consecration history are described for collectors and devotees.
A Dhamma teaching from Luang Pho Cha Supattho of Wat Nong Pa Phong, Ubon Ratchathani: "Defilements turn a fool into a beast."
Luang Pho Uan Aphassaro, the well-known abbot of Wat Non Thong in Borabue District, Maha Sarakham Province, has a popular sacred object: his first coin minted in 2009 on the occasion of receiving the ecclesiastical title Phra Khru Sanyabat Thon and the ordination hall celebration. The coin is round with a raised edge and suspension loop, with 5,000 pieces produced. The front below the loop bears a yantra design, the center features a half-body portrait of Luang Pho Uan, and the right side curving up and around to the left reads "Wat Non Thong, Non Daeng Subdistrict, Borabue District, Maha Sarakham Province." The bottom reads "Phra Khru Suwanthammakhun." The back below the loop has a yantra, the center contains a yantra within a circle of the Buddha's virtues, and the bottom reads "Edition 1." Luang Pho Uan performed the consecration ceremony alone over one quarter, making this a highly valued amulet.
Luang Pu Sai Khemthammo of Wat Pa Phromviharn, Non Muang Subdistrict, Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province, was a meditation master of the region. As a forest monk, he did not favor creating sacred objects, but when disciples requested permission he did not refuse. He created only three notable editions: the shield shape in 2005, the egg shape for the chedi construction in 2006, and especially the "water-drop" shape in 1993 without a suspension loop. The front features a full-body portrait of Luang Pu Sai in meditation posture. Below is the text "Edition 1" followed by "Luang Pu Sai Khemthammo." The back center shows a monk's requisites: alms bowl, water strainer, and umbrella. The top reads "Wat Pa Phromviharn" and the bottom "Non Sang District, Udon Thani Province" (created when Non Sang was still a district of Udon Thani). Luang Pu Sai consecrated this coin himself with his own mind.
Luang Pho Kwan Dee Piyasilo, a well-known monk of Wat Tha Maprang in Mueang District, Phitsanulok Province, has many popular sacred objects, especially his "first coin." It is egg-shaped with a suspension loop, made of red copper alloy in 2004 with 3,000 pieces produced. The front shows a half-body portrait of Luang Pho Kwan Dee facing forward with his name "Luang Pho Kwan Dee Piyasilo" below. The right curve reads "First Edition" and the left curve reads "Single Edition." The back features Khom script regarding the heart of his personal mantra, centered with the Namo Buddhaya mantra (the Five Buddhas mantra) in Khom script. The bottom center reads "Wat Tha Maprang, Phitsanulok." It is another famous amulet of Phitsanulok.
The bimetallic coin of Kruba Chao Sriwichai and Kruba Chao Surin Surinayo. Wat Sri Thoi (Wat Luang Sri Thoi) in Sri Thoi Subdistrict, Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province is an ancient temple. Kruba Chao Thaworn Thawornthammo was the first abbot, renovating the temple to prosperity through the 13th abbot, Kruba Surin Surinayo, who studied Kammathana with Kruba Sriwichai, the saint of Lanna. The "bimetallic coin featuring Kruba Chao Sriwichai and Kruba Chao Surin Surinayo" was created on April 19, 2011. It is round-oval with gold plating on both sides. The front shows a half-body portrait of Kruba Chao Sriwichai facing forward with "Kruba Chao Sriwichai, Saint of Thai Lanna" below. The back shows a half-body portrait of Kruba Surin facing forward. It is a supreme and rare sacred object.
Ariya Pheangdham [email protected]
