Revered Phra That Phanom Powder Amulet Blessed in Solemn Ceremony
Blessed powder amulets featuring Phra That Phanom, a 2,500-year-old Buddhist monument on the Thailand-Laos border, were consecrated in a solemn ceremony at Nakhon Phanom Province's revered temple on July 19.
Phra That Phanom, a sacred Buddhist monument revered by Thai and Lao devotees on both banks of the Mekong River, is enshrined at Phra That Phanom Woramahaviharn Temple in That Phanom District, Nakhon Phanom Province. Dating back more than 2,500 years and traditionally built in 8 BE by five kings, with Phra Maha Kassapa presiding alongside 500 arahants, this square stupa reaches a height of 57 meters with a base of 12.33 meters on each side. It contains the chest relics of Buddha along with reliquaries corresponding to different zodiac signs and birth days.
Amulets and charms featuring Phra That Phanom are highly popular among collectors for their spiritual power to ward off all dangers and provide protection. Notably, blessed powder and coins bearing the Phra That Phanom image on both sides are especially prized, though powder amulets are produced in limited editions.
A group of devoted disciples led by the Dragon Wealth Blessing Team received permission to create blessed objects commemorating the gold-casting of a replica Phra That Phanom. The amulets are blessed powder of Somdet Chin Banchar in the "Million-Elephant King" series, intended to be installed at Khon Saai Temple in Liang Nok Tha District, Yasothon Province, the monsoon residence of 109-year-old Luang Pu Thin Janthadhammo. These commemorative blessed objects were cast in 3-tier and 9-tier versions, produced in limited quantities across 60 entries with varying quantities per mold.
The front features the imprint of the 3-tier and 9-tier Somdet amulets with silver takrut cords, while the reverse displays a replica Phra That Phanom paired with Phra Sattanakarat, a seven-headed serpent deity, its hood spreading to encircle the stupa. The blessed powder contains materials including Phra That Phanom brick, blessed powder, auspicious herbal essence, and sacred substances from three revered monks: Luang Pu Sila Sirijunno, Phra Ajarn Suriyant Kosapanyo, and 109-year-old Luang Pu Thin Janthadhammo.
The consecration ceremony took place at Phra That Phanom Woramahaviharn Temple before the Serpent King Deity, presided over by Khun Orkanya Saba (Madame Noi), a Maha Sarakham administrative official, as the lay representative. Following Brahmanical rituals led by the renowned Brahmin Ajarn Tort Khemnakaraj to honor the sacred elements within the temple and the seven naga spirits protecting Phra That Phanom, the presiding official lit the victory candle and chanted blessings before scattering blessed rice and flowers on the merit table.
On July 19, 2025, at 12:49 PM, the Buddhist blessing ceremony commenced, with 109-year-old Luang Pu Thin Janthadhammo presiding over the monastic contingent as candles were lit and four ceremonial monks chanted the consecration mantra. Renowned eastern Thailand masters participated, including Phra Thepwachiryanunsuntor, Phra Ajarn Suriyant Kosapanyo of Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen in Maha Sarakham, Luang Pu Thin of Wat Khon Saai in Yasothon, Phra Ajarn Chalat Kantiko of Wat Phon Sawan in Noen Sub District of Nakhon Phanom, and Phra Khru Phonom Preecharakorn, secretary to the Phra That Phanom abbot, who sat meditating. Afterward, Phra Ajarn Suriyant sprinkled divine flowers and blessed water over the consecrated objects before presiding over the gold-casting ceremony for the replica Phra That Phanom nearby. Lay representatives presented the requisites of monks and extended their merit, concluding the ceremony.
