Rare Luang Pu Rian Amulets Unearthed at Wat Nong Bua
The user wants a short summary (1-2 sentences, 120-220 characters, max 240) of the article about Luang Pu Rian and amulets found at Wat Nong Bua. The article is a biography of Luang Pu Rian Suwannachote, his lineage, and mentions amulets he
Luang Pu Rian Suwannachote, former abbot of Wat Sri Uppalaram (Wat Nong Bua) and former district ecclesiastical head of Mueang Kanchanaburi, gained fame as the principal disciple and heir to the esoteric knowledge of Luang Pu Yim, abbot of Wat Nong Bua in Mueang district, Kanchanaburi — a monk widely recognized for his profound Buddhist scholarship. Luang Pu Yim also ordained disciples who became famous in the field of Saiyasat (occult arts).
His lay name was Rian Rassuwan, son of Thai-Chinese parents. He was born on January 6, 1876 (Saturday, 7th waning moon, 2nd month, Year of the Dragon) at Ban Nong Bua, Tambon Nong Bua, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi. His parents were Nai Pho and Nang Yaem Rassuwan, and he had six siblings. Despite being born into a farming family that lived hand-to-mouth, he pursued education diligently, becoming literate and proficient in both Thai and Khmer, serving as a resource for local people. He later returned to help his parents work the fields, sharing the burden as needed.
At age 22, he was ordained at the Wat Sri Uppalaram boundary on July 6, 1897, with Luang Pu Yim as preceptor, Phra Kru Singkiburanachan (Khong Thong Sut) of Wat Thewa Sangkharam as kammavaca acharya, and Phra Ajarn Yu as annusavana acharya. He received the monastic name Suwannachote. He resided at Wat Sri Uppalaram continuously, and after completing sufficient rains retreats, Luang Pu Yim entrusted him with various duties, including serving as kammavaca acharya for ordinations. He served his preceptor devotedly and mastered the transmitted knowledge until Luang Pu Yim's passing. He remained humble, never boasting of his attainments, always honoring his preceptor and senior brethren.
In 1911, Phra Kru Witsutthirangsi (Plian Inthasaro) of Wat Chai Chumphon Chana Songkhram, the provincial ecclesiastical governor of Kanchanaburi, together with Phra Kru Singkiburanachan (Sut) of Wat Thewa Sangkharam, the deputy provincial governor, appointed him abbot of Wat Nong Bua. In 1915 he became district ecclesiastical head of Mueang, and in 1930 he became a preceptor.
Ecclesiastical ranks: 1918 — received the title Phra Kru Niwithasamachan; 1947 — elevated to Phra Kru Sanyabat Ek (first class) in his former name; 1953 — elevated to Phra Racha Khana Thammasaman with the title Phra Sophon Samachan.
He passed away peacefully of old age on December 27, 1960, at age 84 with 63 rains retreats.
During his lifetime he created many sacred objects and amulets for distribution: takrut, luk om, luk om phaen, phirap rings, and Phra Pid Ta, all following Luang Pu Yim's designs but in reduced size. It is believed he produced them continuously as devotees requested them.
Toward the end of his life, his disciples, recognizing the proven efficacy of the distributed amulets and his advanced age, requested a commemorative series. All series proved popular, especially the Phra Tha Kradan.
Created in 1954, these are Chin Takua alloy amulets in the 'board' posture. It is said that during Luang Pu Rian's tenure as abbot, Wat Nong Bua underwent restoration because the ubosot had severely deteriorated. While dismantling the old ubosot, 93 Phra Tha Kradan amulets were discovered, but most were damaged; only seven remained intact. Additionally, other amulet prints were found.
