Rare Buddhist Amulets from Thailand's Famous Monks Profiled

"The nature of the mind can be trained and put to beneficial use," teaches Luang Pu Cha Supatto of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani.

"Luang Pu Chom Yannasophano," also known as Phra Khru Nimmanthammakit, former abbot of Wat Nern Ya Ka in Had Sung subdistrict, Kroek Phra district, Nakhon Sawan province. In 1970, Luang Pu Chom held a ceremony to cast lifelike bronze egg-shaped amulets with suspension loops. The obverse features a raised portrait of Luang Pu Chom draped in robes, facing forward, with Thai script reading "Luang Pu Chom Wat Nern Ya Ka" along the lower border. The reverse bears the same border with a central Khmer yantra reading "I Sa Wa Su" and the Thai numerals "2513" (1970). These are considered fine Nakhon Sawan amulets that are quite rare today.

Going back to 1966, "Phra Mongkol Chai Sit" or "Luang Pu Samran Kanchanapho," former abbot of Wat Pak Klong Makham Thao in Makham Thao subdistrict, Wat Sing district, Chai Nat province — a renowned meditation master of the Tha Chin river basin — while holding the rank of Phra Khru Wichan Chaikun, created the sacred object "Phra Thung Setthi" in nine varieties of baked clay, chin material, and powdered relics for distribution to Buddhist associations.

Phra Thung Setthi Wat Pak Klong Makham Thao

These powder amulets blend 108 types of pollen, 108 types of flowers, ancient bai lan script powders, various minerals, ancient powders, and Buddha-mantra herbal powders. On March 1, 1966 at 7:00 PM, a consecration ceremony was held with nine guru monks sitting in meditation to empower them. This set is now highly sought after by amulet connoisseurs and collectors due to its rarity, driving rental/veneration prices steadily higher.

"Luang Pu Pai Chantasaro," guru monk of Wat Kampaeng in Pak Klong subdistrict, Phasi Charoen district, Bangkok, was so famous he became the slogan for the Bang Khun Thian area: "Luang Pu Pai Wat Kampaeng — Agricultural Source, Mon Culture of Bang Kadi, Bangkok's Coastal Territory." His famous sacred amulet is the "1935 Commemorative Coin."

Luang Pu Pai Coin

Created for his 75th birthday celebration in two pressings: round and egg-shaped, made of brass alloy. The round version is especially popular. It features a large suspension loop with a central portrait of Luang Pu Pai seated in meditation within an archway on the obverse. The reverse bears the text "Commemorative 2478" (1935). This version was made larger than others for men to wear as a pendant. It is another highly valued coin.

"Luang Pu Ngern's Turning Side Portrait Coin, Wat Don Yai Hom" is a popular standout coin. Created in 1970 when Luang Pu Ngern turned 80, on September 16, 1970, the temple committee requested permission for Luang Pu to create a set of sacred objects to commemorate the auspicious occasion. Measuring 5 cm high and 3.5 cm wide, its distinctive feature is the portrait — not facing forward like previous editions, but a profile view of Luang Pu Ngern.

Luang Pu Ngern Turning Side Coin

Egg-shaped with a suspension loop, the obverse center shows Luang Pu Ngern's profile portrait with a wide, thick border. Below reads "Luang Pu Ngern 80" and above a Khmer yantra reading "A Sang Wi Su Ro U Sa Phu Pha" — an abbreviation of the Nine Auspicious Incantations. The reverse center holds the yantra "Na Tra Hot," below that a straight line reading "Phra Racha Thamma Phon" (Royal Dhamma Blessing), and at the bottom a curved line reading "20 March 2513" (1970) — the consecration date. The reverse background features numerous fish-roe dots. This is another rare coin.

Ariya Phettham [email protected]