Ipoh Thai Temples

Wat Trumcitta Vipasana

This is another interesting Thai temple worth visiting.  It is a little difficult to find as this temple is located within some industrial area at Bercham in Ipoh. We shall walk you through the Photo Tour of Wat Trumcitta Vipasana.

Wat Trumcitta Vipasana used to be a small temple but had expanded in recent years thanks to supporters and donors.  One can see that this temple has high revelance for Phra Luang Pu Thuad. The temple compound is serene despite it was surrounded by light industrial factories and a housing estate nearby. Wat Trumcitta is strategically located at the foot of a limestone hill with a cave entrance.

Marnphichai Buddha sitting in bliss posture with the lush limstone hill at the background

LP Thuad inside the limestone cave

At another building structure within the compound is Sai Yart Reclining Buddha. We believe this structure is one of the earlier constructed main shrine for devotees to perform prayers or the abbot to give Dharma sermons.

Interestingly this temple is closely associated with Wat Pa Mahawan (Nakhon Ratchasima) in Northeastern Thailand. Wat Pa Mahawan is known for Kruba Krissana Intawanno "Butterfly King". We believe that this temple abbot and its resident monk may have in some way associated with Krubba Krissana and had sought the support from him to bless and consecrate amulets to help Wat Trumcitta construction.

Amulet Counter

All Kruba Krissana's amulets are made in B.E.2547 to enable collection of funds for construction works.  Most amulets can be sought at the Amulet Counter in the temple.  
 

The above is Pidta Phim Bang Saeh with 1 piece gold takrut and silver Kruba Krissana butterfly emblem on the bottom. Made from 108 pollen plants, Khruk Rak powder, and Chitladda powder.

Pidta Sangkachai Lang Phisua, 1 piece Gold Takrut made from 108 pollen plants, Khruk Rak powder and Chitladda powder.

Amulet consecration and blessing ceremony "Puttaphisek" was conducted by some senior Buddhist masters notably Luang Po Koon Parisuttho, Kruba Kritsana Inthawanno, Luang Po So Thatsapo, Luang Po Nuan, Luang Po Dam and Phra Archan That.


Purpose of making this batch of Pidta amulets (Pidta Sangkachai Lang Phisua and Pidta Phim Bang Saeh) was to build the largest LP Tuad image in Malaysia for devotees to worship in conjunction with Wesak Day 2004. This batch of amulets was only made for Wat Trumcitta and is not available in Thailand.

Phra Archan That and Kruba Kritsana performed the last incantation over at Wat Trumcitta in Ipoh. Therefore, this batch of Pidta is very worthy due to the good intention for raising funds.  Kruba Kritsana's Loop Lor was also released during this occasion apart from Phra Pidta.

Kruba Krissana Intawanno Biography

Phra Kruba Krissana Intawanno was born in August 1, 2497 (A.D.1954). He is the 9th child in a family of 10 childrens. Phra Kruba Krissana ordained as a monk under Phra Kruba Pu whom is very well-known in Northern Thailand. Kruba Krissana followed him on Tudong to Cambodia and Laos. Kruba spent the next 10 years studying Buddhist holy texts and practiced meditation in the forests located in North East Thailand. Kruba Krissana is one of the best-known monk in present day who is a guru master of unique amulet style with unique Salika Couple (Butterfly) image.

Kruba Krissana resided in a cave above the Moonbon Dam in Khonburi in B.E.2532 (A.D.1989). After 3 years, the local people got to know about a great monk in their area thus they requested Kruba Krissana to build Wat Pa Mahawan. Facilities were built and a pond of water supplied and dug with the help and efforts from the local people. Kruba Krissana used the earth from the newly dug pond to make the Salika Couple as sacred object of worship and bless by Kruba himself. After that, Kruba continue making his Butterfly amulet which is actually a pair of Salika.

Phra Kruba Krissana Intawanno is a famous Dhamma Master, known for making efficacious pendants and is known today as King of Butterfly or Thep Jamleng Pamora in Thai.

The efficacy of his pendants has been experience by many of his believers and had even won over many hardcore skeptics who had originally thought that this was just another sales gimmick by enterprising amulets businessmen.

Thep Jamleng Pamora butterfly is actually Lord Siva himself. This amulet is made from the sacred mixture of flowers, herbs and earth from the newly dug pond in his temple. This amulet is very fragrant and can produce a nice smell that can last for a very long time throughout the day similar to the Phra Pidta Sangkachai Lang Phisua.

A common feature of almost all the amulets are the exquisite natural gemstones which have the potential to harness natural energies and endow the wearer with good luck and fortune. Kruba Krissana once said that 'not any gemstone can be used, only those which have been blessed and cleansed of any impure energy.


Katha blessing Kruba Krissana

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa (3 times)


Yer Ram Yer Si Ram Yer Ram


Siri Ram Yer Ram Yer Yer Ram


Krissana Haray Krissana


Na Ma Pa Ta (repeat 3, 5 or 7 times)



On the second day of Chinese New Year 27 January 2009, an incantation and blessing ceremony was held to make Phra LP Thuad loop lor (small images).  This batch comes in 3 different colors; 1 gold plated material and 2 bronze material. Luang Po Deng of Wat Rai was one of the main monk who chanted in the blessing ceremony.

A limited quantity of total 999 pieces were made and each piece has serial numbers at the bottom. Official temple price is only RM38 for each piece.  Since this batch there is no major "Puttaphisek" to make any amulets probably the temple had enough funding for the temple restoration and rebuilding works.

This Loor Lor is almost out-of-stock as of Feb 2011.  As a hobbyist collector, we certainly hope to see future batches of inexpensive and collectable amulets coming from Wat Trumcitta.   

Wat Mekprasit

In this section SimplyBuy brings all Dharma friends to a Thai temple situated along Jalan Kuala Kangsar. Wat Mekprasit has a long history and there is not much historical account from its past glory.  But it is well known to many Buddhist devotess especially from Ipoh.

As interesting as it is, this temple housed some beautiful artworks from the beginning of its existence. It is also known to some as the temple of Arahats due to the many life sized Arahant images kneeling in anjali posture (legs kneeling and hands claps together in paying homage to Lord Buddha).

We shall share this merit of knowledge and info with everyone. The temple compound shares a serene landscape despite its small land area. This temple is situated along Jalan Kuala Kangsar and the address is No. 102-A, Jalan Kuala Kangsar, 30010 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. The chief abbot for the past 32 years is Venerable Chali or Luang Po Chali. LP Chali is a camera shy abbot and a very modest monk whose priority is in dealing with Dharma teachings and Vipassana meditation.

The main prayer hall inside Wat Mekprasit sits Lord Buddha Sakyamuni Gotama on antique Thai style layer altar. The limelight of this temple is the Reclining Buddha at the background. You may be able to notice a White Orb just at the tip of the Buddha's hip just below the left palm. The same White Orb also makes its appearance on the next photo on top of Lord Buddha's left higher arm. From my previous encounters with White Orbs or we simply term it as guardian dieties, the transclusent round diety is quite huge in diameter. Homage also to this diety for blessings and protecting Wat Mekprasit.

Images of two past abbots that always receive prayers and wishes from devotees.

 

As we scroll along, we will provide some narration about this temple. LP Chali was appointed to take care of this temple since 1976. Venerable's origin is from Southern Thailand and he has been very patient in his duties to conduct his Sangha duty in Wat Mekprasit since the first day and can be seen from the Dharma existence that vibrates here for so many years ever since his arrival.

The moment most votive amulet hobbyist have been waiting for is here. We have some disappointing news for those seeking amulets although Wat Mekprasit housed some vintaged pieces. LP Chali is not concern about amulets and the Venerable is only keen to talk about the Dharma and Vipassana matters. But he is merciful to give blessings to devotees who brought along their personal amulets.

The reason behind his action of not dealing with amulet renting started since 1995. The photographs you will see here in the glass cabinets are locked for ages. According to LP Chali back then he used to give out free amulets. The problem started many years back when he gave away a Bucha to a lay devotee without any monetary return. The bucha was sold at RM300 by that particular lay devotee. The purchaser or "victim" after departing the amount of money brought the bucha back to the temple for LP Chali to be blessed. LP was shocked to see his bucha was owned by someone else and after investigation, he was depressed to have found out that people make money from what he gave away for free in the name of the Dharma. Ever since then in 1995, the amulet counter had been closed and it is only for public viewings. See no touch!

We share the importance of Dharma over amulets. Here is what we have learned from LP Chali. This is his exact words: "There is no point to wear many amulets if one does not follow the Panca Sila or known as the 5 Buddhist Precepts". His words should stay deep in our heart and mind as the miraculous power of amuets will only protect those who holds dear to the Dharma teachings.

With LP Chali's benevolence teachings, we have concluded that he is a merciful monk and is always approachable by people from all walks of life. Credit should also be given for his effort for coming so far away from Thailand to teach the Dharma for so many yeas at Wat Mekprasit.

An old traditional Thai style bookshelf with the Dharma Vinaya books

An old picture potrait of past Sangha vanguard was found where I only recognized one of the Dharma monk - LP Jong from Wat Bang Nom Kho, Ayuthaya Province (in standing position 3rd from the right)

Phra Prom is also a part of the unique heritage of Wat Mekprasit located outside the compound covered by roof for many lay devotees to pay respect and give offerings.


SimplyBuy sincerely hope that this photo tour of a historical temple in Ipoh, Wat Mekprasit will bring benefit to all Dharma friends, community members and visitors in terms of knowledge sharing.


Wat Siribunya Maggarama


This temple is situated along Jalan Tambun (Tambun Road) in Ipoh.  According to public account, this temple used to be a small temple and it had expanded gradually over the years just before the passing away of its Chief Abbot a few years ago.  The past Chief Abbot in seen here on the center of this photo and on the Venerable left hand side is Luangpu Sri and on his right is Luang Po Sod.

We did not obtain much on the historical background of this temple but surely it is an interesting temple to visit or renting amulets. We shall begin with a photo tour of Wat Siribunya Maggarama to showcase the temple surroundings before we unravel amulets available for donation at the counter.

Lord Buddha's altar inside the Main Shrine Hall 'Ubosot'

Wall paintings inside the Main Shrine Hall

A big Phra Prom is located inside one of the outer temple building

Shown are amulets for donation or "Tamboon" at Wat Siribunya Maggarama inside the Main Hall amulet corner section. The temple does not issue receipts for the items. Unlike Wat Mekprasit which is not concern with amulets, this temple offer a variety of amulets for donation. Noticed that most amulets on display at the counter are from outside temples especially from Thailand and some from Thai-Malaysian temples.

We hope that you have enjoyed SimplyBuy's photo tour of Wat Siribunya Maggarama. Ipoh is located approximately 580 km away from Singapore. But the trip is certainly worth it when combine together with temple visit to Rajamuni Samiramo Park in Gerik LP Thuad and crossing the border to Betong Thailand all through Ipoh.

With this photo tour we hope it will be beneficial for everyone to admire the beauty of those temples and view the variation of votive tablets available at these temples. Most importantly is knowledge sharing to expand our interest in learing.

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