Sacred Amulets: Luang Pu Hian's Revered Buddha Pendants
Luang Pu Hian, a respected Buddhist master and former abbot in Kanchanaburi, created highly revered amulets including Buddha pendants and talismans that remain popular among collectors across Thailand. His most notable works include Phra So
A spiritual teaching states: "Whoever maintains mindfulness and wisdom together at all times draws ever closer to the Buddha." This wisdom comes from Luang Por Cha Subhaddo of Wat Nong Pa Pong in Ubon Ratchathani. Luang Pu Hian Suwanachoat, formerly abbot of Wat Sri Uppalaram (Wat Nong Bua) and district ecclesiastical leader of Kanchanaburi, was a senior direct disciple of the esteemed Luang Pu Yim of Wat Nong Bua, renowned as a highly accomplished Buddhist master. Luang Pu Hian created many amulets and talismans including tubular charms, lozenges, rings, and closed-eye Buddha images modeled after Luang Pu Yim's designs but in smaller sizes. It is believed these were produced continuously as devotees requested them. All editions became popular, particularly the large Phra Somdej Buddha pendant.
This pendant was created in 1954 as a standard rectangular Phra Somdej-style print with powder-based composition in off-white color. The front depicts a Buddha figure in meditation posture atop a three-tiered base in typical Phra Somdej style, with the hands forming a V-shape. The reverse is plain with no mystical letters. Production numbers were not recorded. Another version, the Phra Somdej bearing the letter U on its reverse, was created the same year with similar construction but featuring a chamfered rectangular border. The reverse shows the mystical letter U, giving the edition its name. Both are standard popular amulets highly prized by Kanchanaburi collectors.
In 1988, Luang Pu Samran Kanchanakobha, also known as Phra Mongkol Chaisidhi and abbot of Wat Pak Khlong Makham Tao in Chai Nat, commissioned a sacred coin amulet of Luang Pu Suk to raise funds for monastery repairs. The 1988 edition features an oval shape with internal handles, the front showing a detailed relief portrait of the venerated monk in meditation, flanked by protective mystical characters. The top border bears the inscription "Phra Kru Wilmol Kunakorn, Wat Pak Khlong Makham Tao," with "2531" (1988 CE) beneath. The reverse shows a fan-shaped mystical diagram with Khmer script and the names of five Buddhas, making it highly popular in Chai Nat and surrounding areas.
Another significant amulet is the blessed powder gift from Wat Pak Nam, created by the venerated Luang Por Sod Candasoro as a commemorative gift to those who donated to build a Dhamma school. These powder amulets, traditionally called "gift powder," contain various sacred materials including lime powder inscribed with special mystical diagrams, such as powder of sovereignty, power, and foundation, along with other blessed substances like dried jasmine and strands of the master's hair. The powder amulets appear as fine white material with soft, crumbly texture easily dissolved in water. The Buddha image sits within a rectangular frame on the front, shown in meditation posture granting blessings with his right hand forming the appropriate gesture. He is seated upon an inverted lotus throne.
