Rare First-Edition Amulets of Revered Thai Monks Featured
This article profiles the first-edition amulets of five highly revered Thai monk gurus from different provinces, detailing their historical creation, distinct designs, materials, and current rarity. It covers sacred objects from Luang Por Koet, Luang Por Ngueng, Luang Pu Rod, and Luang Por Joy, highlighting the cultural significance of Thai Buddhist amulet collecting.
The article explores the first-edition amulets of several renowned Thai monks. It begins with a teaching from Luang Por Chah Subhaddo of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani. It then details Phra Khru Phisan Thammaprayut, also known as Luang Por Koet Punnapanyo, former abbot of Wat Saphan in Ban Na district, Nakhon Nayok, a famous guru monk who created many sacred objects including Yantra cloths, Takrut, and amulets deeply revered by locals.
Luang Por Koet's first-edition amulet, created on Saturday, April 11, 1936 (BE 2479), is egg-shaped and made of copper and alpaca. The front features a half-body portrait of the monk with chubby cheeks and two distinct wrinkles on the forehead, a fish-roe border, a double Takhao pattern on the lower border, and curved Thai script reading 'Phra Upachanai Koet Wat Saphan'. The back bears Yantra designs and Unalome symbols. These are now rare, mostly stored in temple crypts.
Luang Por Ngueng Govito of Wat Chulamanee in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram, a guru monk of the Mae Klong lineage, created the popular 'Luang Por Ngueng Sitting at Table Edition' in BE 2511 (1968). Only 2,000 copper pieces were made. Initially designed as a full-body seated figure, the monk disapproved, leading to a half-body version. The full-body versions were kept in the abbot's quarters and blessed until his passing. Later, Phra Khru Sopit Viriyaphon released them only to major donors. The amulet is a die-struck egg shape with a bail, showing the monk in robes sitting at a table with hands on knees, inscribed 'Phra Khru Govit Samutthakun (Ngueng) Wat Chulamanee'. The back features the Five Buddhas Yantra and the inscription 'Lap Phon Phun Thawi Sa BE 2511', surrounded by Yantra scripts.
Luang Pu Rod Phromsaro, also known as Luang Por Phromson of Wat Ban Phai in Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima, is a famous guru monk revered by Korat people. His popular first-edition amulet, created around BE 2492 (1949) by Lopburi devotees, is egg-shaped with a soldered bail. The front has a double raised border with a centered half-body portrait of Luang Pu Rod facing forward, and the name 'Luang Por Phromson (Rod)' engraved below. The back is smooth with a central Na Thra Hod Yantra, but no creation year is marked.
Finally, the article covers amulets of Luang Por Joy Chantasuvanno, former abbot of Wat Si Uthumphon (Wang Deu) in Nong Krad subdistrict, Mueang district, Nakhon Sawan. His 'Special 82-Year-Old Edition' from BE 2539 (1996) is made of bronze, egg-shaped with a suspension loop, measuring 8.8 cm in circumference. The front depicts Luang Por Joy in full-body meditation posture on a lotus base with 13 pairs of lotus petals and a central vertical line.
