Rare Amulets of Revered Monks Draw Collectors Across Thailand

"Some people want to make merit every time, but they keep waiting to have plenty of money first, so they never actually do it," reflects a dharma teacher from Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Por Nueang Kovito of Chula Mani Temple in Samut Songkhram was a revered meditation master whose most popular blessed objects are the Rank-Elevation Medals created in 1974 by the district mayor of Ampawa, who also owned a shop in Ampawa Market. The medal features an inverted lotus-bud shape with a full-length seated image of Luang Por Nueang in robes on the front, and a ceremonial fan on the back with Thai script reading "Phra Khru Kowitsamutkhun (Nueang)." Many examples bear inscriptions, with sacred yantra markings and text commemorating the rank-elevation ceremony at Chula Mani Temple. These medals have become rare collector's items. Luang Pu Phaeng Ta Khemyo, former abbot of Pradu Virat Temple in Nakhon Phanom, was a highly respected teacher who commissioned three series of blessed objects. His first-edition medal, created in 1974, was produced by his student Phra Maha Vinit Tantachitto, a monk who ordained and spent the Buddhist Lent in New York. The proceeds funded a sermon hall at the temple. The medal is U-shaped with loop handles, featuring a half-length image of Luang Pu Phaeng Ta on the front, engraved with his name and date (1 December 1974 on the back), and protective yantra in the center. Collectors today prize these medals highly. Luang Por Rung Kangsuwanno, former abbot of Nong Si Noi Temple in Nakhon Sawan, was a renowned teacher who worked alongside Luang Por Doem. In 1979, the temple commissioned the Gold Elephant Amulet Medal with bronze and alpaca alloy, shaped like a cluster of rice buds with loop handles. The front features an ornamental border and a raised half-length image of Luang Por Rung with Thai script and the year 1979. The back displays a walking elephant with decorative borders and Khmer script. Luang Por Ot of Chanssen Temple personally blessed these additional medals for three nights, making them especially potent. Phra Winayadharmasuwang, or Luang Por Suang Abhayo of Chee Pa Khao Temple in Sing Buri, was a celebrated teacher who created many rare types of blessed objects. His crowning achievement was the Phra Phot, created around 1955 using ancient formulas and personally blessed with additional incantations to enhance its spiritual power. Each Phra Phot is small and teardrop or lotus-petal shaped, with a single mold, showing a full-length Buddha in meditation on the front above an inverted and upright lotus base, and a plain back. Approximately 200 were made, mostly distributed among the monk's close associates and temple visitors. Today, the Phra Phot of Chee Pa Khao Temple remains among the rarest and most valued blessed objects of Luang Por Suang.