A Thai Buddha amulet (Thai: ??????????), often referred to academically as votive tablet, is a kind of Thai Buddhist blessed item. It is used to raise funds to help the temple producing the amulets. Worshippers can obtain an amulet or Thai Buddhist monk blessing by simply donating money or offering oil to the temple. After the donation, the monk will give them amulet as a gift. With the change of time, the amulets no longer simply are considered a "gift" but a tool to help enhance luck in different aspects of life. People use amulets to improve their marriage, wealth, health, love and relationships.
It is also a Thai tradition to place amulets under a stupa or other temple structure when it is built. When the structure collapses, many amulets may be found. Some can be over a century old.
Almost every Thai Buddhist has at least one Thai amulet. It is common to see young or elderly people wear one or many amulets around the neck in order to get closer to the Buddha.
Amulets are made using the Buddha image, image of famous monk, or even image of the monks who made the amulets themselves and let believers wear on for security and peace. Amulets have different kind of sizes, different shapes and different materials such as plaster, bone, wood, metal. It may include ash from incenses or old temple structure, hair from famous monk, to add protection power to the amulets. After the amulets were made, the maker will then ask the monks who live in temples or monks from other temples join together and practice will, chant, pray and bless the amulets, this process may need at least one week more than three years.
When a new amulet is freshly made, its plaster appearance may not be attractive or gorgeous. By adding a protective casing the appearance of the amulet is enhanced and at the same time the amulet inside is protected. The price of an amulet not only depends on its appearance, but also on its scarcity, maker (which monk or magician), age and the magic classes as well.
Famous markets for amulets include the Tha Phrachan market next to Thammasat University. However, many amulets at the Tha Prachan market are considered to be 'fake', meaning replicas that have not been blessed by a monk. It is very unlikely indeed that you will find a real amulet in the Tha Prachan market. Many collectors and devotees have a trusted dealer of authentic amulets, for the study and authentication of real amulets is as complex a matter as is to be found in the antique trade, or in similar niches such as stamp collection. Forgeries are rife, and it takes decades of study and experience to develop the skills needed to recognise authentic amulets. There are literally millions of editions from hundreds of thousands of temples, spanning centuries, and it is not possible for one person to encompass enough knowledge to be able to authenticate every single edition. Hence, each expert has his own chosen line of amulets, from a particular type, temple or Guru Master, which he chooses as his personal speciality and field of expertise.
Video Thai Buddha amulet
Famous Thai Amulets
Benja Phakhi
The most famous of Thai amulets are the set of 5 rarest and highly sought after amulets Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang (Thai: ?????????????????), Phra Rod(Thai: ??????), Phra Nang Phaya (Thai: ?????????), Phra Phong Suphan (Thai: ???????????) and Phra Sum Kor (Thai: ?????????), together called Benja Phakhi (Thai: ????????). They are valued at over 10 million Baht.
Phra Somdej
Phra Somdej (Thai: ?????????) amulets are "King of amulets" said, also Known as "lucky amulets" is one of the famous amulet. Each amulet collectors must have one and it is the best and foremost choice to the new believer of Thai Amulet. Para Somdej own the most noblest status in Buddhism. The most famous of this kind is the Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang produced in around 1866 to 1871, by Somdej Toh of Wat Rakhang Khositaram (Thai: ?????????????????). He is among the most respected monk in Thailand too.
Phra Somdej Chitralada is the amulets made by King Bhumibol himself and awarded during 1965 till 1970 to selected soldiers, policemen, government officers and citizen. Not exceeding 3000 of those are amulets made. Each amulet is accompanied with certificate stating name of recipient, date and amulet number. As of 2013, a Phra Somdej Chitralada worths at least 2 million Baht.
In general, most Phra Somdej amulets do not have eyes, nose and mouth. The Buddha image in Phra Somdej seated on the three-level throne representing the three world system of Buddhist cosmology. However, the Phra Somdej later appeared with five, seven, nine, ten level throne, as well as thirteen, but the concept of the throne is still the same. Like other Thai Amulets, Phra Somdej is usually made of Temple dirt, pollen, monk's hair as well as other relics from famous monks or the holy robe "c?vara" worn by the monk, etc.
The main function of Phra Somdej amulets ranges form protection from dangers, to enhance personal relationships, enhancing health, protection from black magic,blocking disasters and to strengthen our career as well as adjusting the human aura field. Most importantly, it can help bring peace to different walks of life.
Phra Rod
Phra Rod refers to amulets discovered in early King Chulalongkorn era inside a partially collapsed stupa in Wat Mahawan (Thai: ?????????) in Lamphun Province. It was named Phra Rod because the Buddha image in the amulet matched the ancient Buddha image in the temple's Ubosot called Phra Rod Luang (Thai: ??????????). Legends say that when the temple was part of Hariphunchai Kingdom, the amulets were crafted by Rishi to hand out to citizen during wars and the remaining of those were placed inside the temple's stupa.
Phra Nang Phaya
Phra Nang Phaya amulet from Wat Nang Phaya temple in Phitsanulok Province is believed to be commissioned by Queen Wisutkasat in the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The amulet was discovered when workers dug up an area in the temple to prepare the stage for King Chulalongkorn's visit for the casting of a replica of famous Buddha image Phra Phuttha Chinnarat (Thai: ?????????????) there. This amulet was also discovered in nearby temples such as Wat Ratchaburana (Thai: ???????????).
Phra Phong Suphan
Phra Phong Suphan is from Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Thai: ????????????????????) of Suphanburi Province. There were thieves who came to dig under the large stupa in the temple and stole amulets and tablets, some made from gold. So in 1913 Suphanburi governor ordered the formal dig up to uncover the buried amulets. Phra Phong Suphan was among the amulets found.
Phra Sum Kor
Phra Sum Kor is from Kamphaeng Phet Province. When Somdej Toh came to visit relatives in 1849, he found Phra Sum Kor amulets at Wat Phraboromthat Nakhonchum (Thai: ???????????????????) together with tablets explaining amulet making process. He later used the recipe to make his own Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang. This amulet is found throughout Thung Sethi (Thai: ??????????) in Kamphangphet.
Phra Khun Phaen
Phra Khun Phaen (Thai: ?????????) Pra Khun Phaen are amulets which usually feature the Buddha in samadhi or other mudra and should not be confused with the "Khun Phaen" sans "Pra" that are amulets made in the likeness of the Pra Khun Phaen but with a separate deity/historical figure. The original Pra Khun Phaen amulets came before the Khun Phaen but the name is derived from the popularity of the Khun Phaen folklore of the time, and because there was no particular name given to the Pra Khun Phaen, the name was simply borrowed with the attached "Pra" ??? to denote holiness. Khun Phaen are amulets with the image of Khun Phaen of the classic Khun Chang Khun Phaen folklore. According to the folklore, Khun Phaen was proficient in using magical power including amulets and other items in battle. Khun Phaen also used love formula to attract women. Thus, one of the main functions of Khun Phaen is to enhance the bonding of human relationship like: personal relationships, marriage and heterosexual relationship. Also, it helps to enhance career success like: academic success, fame and fortune, business success and faithful elegance. The Khun Phaen amulets range from near identical likeness to the Pra Khun Phaen to the more intricate molds containing imagery of the infamous Kumarn Tong (golden child) to Khun Paen and his many consorts.
Jatukham Rammathep
Jatukham Rammathep (Thai: ????????????) is the name of two princes from Srivijaya Kingdom. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province people consider Jatukham and Rammthep as guardian angels to the city. The Jatukham Rammathep amulet was first created by police Khun Phantharak Rajjadej (Thai: ??????????????????) in 1987 as part of Nakhon Si Thammarat's Lak Mueang establishment. The amulet is round-shaped, typically with the image of Hindu deities and around 5 cm in diameter. It became popular early 2000s, especially during the time of Khun Phantharak Rajjadej's funeral on 5 July 2006 till mid-2007. The amulet was believed to protect owner from danger and make owner rich. As many as 150 series of Jatukham Rammathep amulet production was planned for the year 2007 and the value of market for the amulet reach 20 billion Baht that year. Late 2007 it appeared that the Jatukham Rammathep amulet bubble had burst, its popularity quickly faded with plenty of amulets left that could be obtained at very low price.
Phra Kring
The Phra Kring is a metallic statuette in the image of a meditating Buddha, which is only made in Thailand. The Phra Kring is essentially a Mahayana style Buddha Image, despite the fact that Thailand adheres to Theravada Buddhism. The beliefs about the Powers of the Phra Kring, are that the Phra Kring is the image of Pra Pai Sachaya Kuru (????????????? Bhaisajyaguru, ??? Yàosh?fó, in Chinese, or in Japanese 'Yakushi'). Pra Pai Sachaya Kuru (or, 'Guru) is of course, the Medicine Buddha. The image is normally in the posture of sitting and holding an almsbowl or a Guava, Gourd or a Vajra. This was a Fully enlightened Buddha, who practised Purity of body and mind, and who was a great teacher of Human Beings, who has the Miracle that he who hears his name in passing, or see his image, will be healed, and live a long healthy and prosperous life with wealthy standing. The Pra Kring Buddha, or 'Bhaisajyaguru' is one of Seven Bhaisajayagurus and is said to have two Bodhisattvas under him 'Pra Suriya Bprapaa Potisat' (Suriya Bhrapa Bodhisattva), and the Pra Jantra Bprapaa Potisat (Chandra Bhrapa Bodhisattva). This is the root of the Phra Kring Amulet's legend till now, which was thought up and created in Thailand. It is only made here in Thailand. Of all the other Buddhist countries who revere it, only Thailand is responsible for its making. The Phra Kring in most cases (except in the odd example where Muan Sarn powders prevent the sound), will have a rattling bead inside it. The reason for this rattle sound, made by a sacred bead of Chanuan Muan Sarn or other Relic, is that it is the Name of the medicine Buddha resounding, as you pass along your way, Healing and Blessing You with Safety, Health, Prosperity, Metta for Auspicious Friendly Loving Kindness.Some Phra Kring however do not make a sound that is audible to Humans, but still have a piece of Chanuan within, which emenates the name of the Medicine Buddha silently, that is audible on the Spiritual Plane.
Lord Hanuman
Lord Ganesha
Maps Thai Buddha amulet
Recommendation/Taboo
- Do not wear Buddhist amulets under the waist. For most amulets, you have to wear it on neck or above the waist, this tradition is to show respect to the buddha. - Takrut (without monk/ buddhist image), can put inside your pants pocket.
- It is recommended - do not put the Buddhist amulet in the bedroom, unless you don't process any sexual activity in the bedroom.
- It is recommended to pray before and after you wear your amulets.
- It is recommended to take off your amulets when you were bathing, this is to ensure the water would not damage the amulet.
- It is not necessary to wear odd number (1,3,5) amulets on the neck. This is for balance purpose - but not necessary.
Prayer
Vandana
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa This is a prayer to honor to the blessed One, the exalted One, the fully Enlightened One!! People usually say this prayer three times before and after wearing on the amulet. By saying this prayer, means showing absolute respect to the Buddha. This prayer can also be said before and carry out meditation.
There is a special Mantra or Prayer in P?li for praying to amulets to beseech blessings, called Kata ?r?tan? Pra Krueang, which goes like this;
Puttang ?r?tan?nang Tammang ?r?tan?nang Sangkang ?r?tan?nang (Make a Wish/Prayer, and continue with;) Puttang Bprasittim? Tammang Bprasittim? Sangkang Bprasittim?
See also
- Palad khik
- Takrut
References
The Arts of Faith: Explaining the Human side of Religions
- "Amulets in Bangkok". New York Times. 2005-12-18. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
External links
- What do Pra Khun Phaen and the Chinarat Buddha have in Common?
- Pra Kru Tap Khaw Ancient Amulet Hiding Place Find
- Pra Somdej Wat Rakang Kositaram Buddha Amulets
- Who Was Buddha?
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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