Revered Monk Luang Por Daeng Honored With Military Commander Amulet
Luang Por Daeng, a revered Buddhist monk from Phetchaburi who became abbot in 1918, was honored with a Military Commander amulet created in 1968 for his ninetieth birthday, featuring his portrait and produced in multiple metals by the Royal
Luang Por Daeng Ratpo, formally known as Phra Kru Yanavilash, was a highly respected ascetic at Wat Khao Bandai It in Muang District, Phetchaburi. Born into the Angsang family on the second lunar day of the eleventh month in 1879, he spent his childhood helping his parents farm and had no opportunity for formal schooling. When he came of age, his parents arranged for him to study under Phra Ajarn Plian at Wat Khao Bandai It. At age 22, he was ordained in a ceremony conducted by Phra Kru Yanavissuthi of Wat Kaen Lek. He received the monastic name Ratpo and devoted himself to studying Buddhist scriptures and maintaining strict discipline. Phra Ajarn Plian taught him meditation techniques and spiritual knowledge without reservation, leading him to become an accomplished practitioner of the highest seniority.
When Phra Ajarn Plian passed away, Luang Por Daeng became the abbot of Wat Khao Bandai It starting in 1918. Despite his administrative duties, he continued his daily meditation practice and never boasted of his spiritual attainments. However, his sacred talismans and amulets demonstrated remarkable protective power.
During the 1934–1937 period, a severe livestock epidemic struck Phetchaburi, killing many cattle and buffalo. Villagers sought Luang Por Daeng's help, and he blessed sacred cloth squares inscribed with yantras, which families tied to their animal pens. Remarkably, animals in pens protected with his yantra remained unharmed while others perished.
When World War II bombing devastated Phetchaburi, destroying railways, bridges, homes, and closing schools and government offices, villagers who possessed his blessed cloth or amulets reportedly remained safe and unharmed. On December 5, 1959, he was granted ecclesiastical promotion to Phra Kru Sannyabat with the royal title Phra Kru Yanavilash. He was known for his kindness, gentle temperament, and refusal to speak harshly to anyone, particularly forbidding crude language about parents. He passed away peacefully on January 16, 1960, at age 96 after 74 years of monastic life.
Luang Por Daeng created many sacred objects and amulets that became widely sought after. After his first series of amulets gained popularity, another highly successful edition emerged: the Military Commander series amulet, created in 1968 on his ninetieth birthday at the request of General Samran Petcharakul, then commander of the First Region. The Royal Mint designed and produced 48,000 copper amulets, along with silver, gold, and alpaca versions. Measuring approximately 2.7 centimeters wide and 3.7 centimeters tall, the amulet features a half-length portrait facing forward with the word 'commemoration' inscribed above and text on a ribbon below.
