Sacred Amulets - Connected-Loop Medal of Luang Pho Nai, Wat Ban Chaeng, Ayutthaya

Luang Pho Nai Indasilo, abbot of Wat Ban Chaeng in Bang Pahan District, Ayutthaya Province, was a highly revered Buddhist master renowned for his sacred tattooing practices. It is widely known that nearly every person in Ayutthaya who received sacred tattoos during that era bore his mark, particularly his distinctive gecko yantra, celebrated for its powerful compassion magic.

Originally named Nai Khwam Dee and born in 1903 in San Sai Sub-District, Bang Pahan District, Ayutthaya, he received only a basic temple school education. After completing his studies, he assisted his parents with household work. At age 12, he ordained as a novice at Wat Ban Chaeng under Phra Khru Phat, his preceptor. At age 22, he took full monastic vows at the same temple and was given the ecclesiastical name Indasilo.

During his first rain retreat, he began forest wandering through mountainous regions across Thailand despite the presence of dangerous wildlife, showing no fear. After satisfying his forest practice, he returned to Wat Ban Chaeng for three months to visit relatives before traveling to study Buddhist sciences under Luang Pu Suk at Wat Pak Khlong Makham Tao. While studying there, he met Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak and studied under him as well, though he primarily learned from Luang Pu Suk.

Although his study period was only one year before Luang Pu Suk's death, Luang Pho Nai intensively trained in various Buddhist sciences and is considered Luang Pu Suk's final legitimate disciple. He subsequently studied sacred amulet craftsmanship and Buddhist sciences under Ajarn Yam Daeng, Luang Pu Suk's foremost student. Upon completion, he returned to practice the rain retreat at Wat Ban Chaeng, where Phra Khru Anuwat Sangkhakij (Khluap) served as abbot.

He spent 20 years practicing meditation in the forest, noting that the quiet and peaceful forest environment was ideal for insight meditation practice. He assisted Phra Khru Sangkhakij in developing Wat Ban Chaeng by constructing an ordination hall, monk's quarters, and a sermon hall. Upon Phra Khru Sangkhakij's passing, the temple invited Luang Pho Nai to become abbot in 1969 at age 71, a position he accepted without seeking any ecclesiastical rank.

He devoted himself to caring for monks and novices and supporting lay practitioners for many years, serving as preceptor for numerous ordinations. Through his conduct and compassion toward disciples and supporters, he earned great respect. His creation of sacred amulets and blessed objects brought happiness, prosperity, and protection from disasters to their owners, establishing him as one of Thailand's most renowned Buddhist masters.

During his final years, despite his advanced age, he remained robust and radiant, always smiling with a heart full of compassion. He peacefully passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 1988, at age 86 with 74 years of monastic life.

He created various sacred objects, including brass prayer tubes and several medal series, with his first medal series from 1969 becoming extremely popular. Equally cherished is the connected-loop medal (Jiao Chuam) from the fourth series, created in 1975. This oval-shaped medal features a distinctive connected loop made by stamping the medal first, then attaching the loop with brass afterward. The front bears his image with the inscription "Luang Pho Nai Indasilo, Wat Ban Chaeng, Ayutthaya" below it. The reverse side features sacred yantra characters with an inner rim inscription reading magical incantations in Pali.