Sacred Amulet News – Large and Small Serpent Coins of Luang Pho Obhasi from Wat Phutthabuscha
Luang Pho Obhasi, a Bangkok monk famous for burning offerings to combat human greed and delusion, created protective amulet coins in 1953 that remain highly valued by devotees today. The ascetic teacher, who died in 1955 with his body uncor
Luang Pho Obhasi of Ashram Bangmod (Wat Phutthabuscha) in Bangkok was a distinguished Buddhist monk with unique practices different from other venerable teachers, earning the title "Master Who Worships Fire as Buddha Veneration."
Originally named Chuan Maliphan, he was born in 1898 in Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and ordained at Wat Pho in Nakhon Si Thammarat. He studied Buddhist scriptures with such diligence that he impressed the monastery's Pali scholars, who committed to advancing his education in Bangkok. Before traveling to the capital, he became a student of Sangharaja Krom Luang Wachirayan (M.R. Chuen Nophawong) at Wat Bowornnivet. He eventually received full ordination and earned a seven-topic Pali degree.
He dedicated himself to intensive vipassana meditation and studied with the renowned Luang Pho Kob at Khao Sarika cave monastery. Around 1941, he began practicing forest dwelling asceticism with extreme dedication, eating only once daily. Eventually settling at Bangmod in the Thonburi side, he gained local followers who brought him offerings. Rather than keep them, he burned everything, explaining that human suffering is caused by greed, delusion, and ignorance. By burning the offerings, he performed Buddha veneration to invoke the power of enlightenment to eliminate suffering.
As his reputation spread, locals built Ashram Bangmod for him. Over time, his practice of burning offerings evolved to include textiles, canned goods, and jewelry brought by devotees. During the Indochina War period, his amulets and sacred objects became highly valued protective talismans.
He passed away on October 31, 1955, at age 57 with 37 rains (years as a monk). His body remained uncorrupted—considered miraculous. His disciples preserved him in a glass coffin enshrined in a stupa at the ashram. Today, Wat Luang Pho Obhasi, also known as Wat Phutthabuscha, continues to attract devotees and believers.
Luang Pho Obhasi's second-series amulet coins, created in 1953, come in two designs: the large serpent (Phaya Naga) and small serpent versions. They are stamped coins with loops.
