Maha Putthaphisek Wat Donsala B.E.2557
Ajahn Nam Chinnawaro B.E.2434 - B.E.2519 |
A Short Biography of Archan Nam
Ajahn Nam Chinnawaro was the past abbot of Wat Donsala Pattalung Province whom is highly admired for his virtue and advanced knowledge in magical science. Archan Nam followed the tradition of Wat Kow Oor the oldest and best known institution for learning magical sciences in Southern Thailand.
Born on the 9th of August B.E. 2434 (A.D. 1891), Ajahn Nam learnt magical sciences available at Wat Kow Oor from his own father Luang Phor Gliang - a monk at Samnak Kow Oor at that time. Archan Nam first got ordained at age 20. At a later stage in life, he disrobed and got married. However, he kept practicing and learning those magical sciences throughout his life. He had participated in many sacred sanctifying events as a layman.
He lead a wonderful layman life until he succumbed to a serious illness and almost died. He then dreamed of a monk. In that strange dream a monk said to him that he would get over the sickness if he be ordained again as a monk. When Archan Nam woke up, he made a vow to be a monk until his final death. His second ordination took place on 5th July B.E. 2506 (A.D. 1963). Ajahn Nam passed away in B.E.2519 (A.D. 1976) after releasing his one and only 1st Batch amulet talisman.
The intention of this article is to provide further insight of what takes place in a typical Maha Putthaphisek grand blessing ceremony in sanctifying Thai-Buddhist amulets. This kind of event can be considered as mass chanting or co-blessing with the participation of many top Kaeji monks and white robe Ajahn of a particular era. For this sharing purpose we have chosen one such Putthaphisek event at Wat Donsala in Pattalung Thailand.
New Edition Medallion Rian B.E.2557 - Roon 123 Years Old |
LP Kampai Wat Donsala |
Phim Block destroyed to prevent re-production or copy |
All the above amulets sanctification was conducted for a new batch in B.E.2557 at Wat Donsala. The current abbot of Wat Donsala is Phra Maha Uthai and also The Master of Ceremony for this Putthaphisek occasion.
Phra Maha Uthai Wat Donsala
One of the best known Ajahn Nam's talisman is the early Roon Laek (1st batch) Rian made in B.E.2519 that is instantly recognizable. This new batch Rian Archan Nam in B.E.2557 followed the same design of the famous B.E.2519.
I'll Stand By You
The most eye-catching amulet that caught our attention in this B.E.2557 series is the Roon Laek (1st Batch) Boran Maha Uthai cast figurine. This Boran amulet is unique in a way that its facial expression resembled Phra Maha Uthai with his body fully armored and surrounded by magic spells.
It's been a long time since we last came across such a distinctive Pattalung amulet style. Peculiarly strong protective Khom spells are always present in Kao Orr's tradition. This Boran gave the impression of a full-bodied protection with Yantra scripts (magic spells) running all over its body as though telling "I'll Stand By You".
Roop Lor Boran Maha Uthai |
Body texture on both sides of Boran are mounted by Yant script running from ears to the base. The design rationale behind this Boran Maha Uthai is to provide an all rounded protection to the wearer. It's pretty uncommon for any standard Loop Lor (or cast figurine) of a particular Ajhan or Luang Phor to be covered with so many magical spells. But Pattalung's Loop Lor amulets or other seemingly Maha Utt type of amulets will probably astonish every amulet collectors.
Pidta Boran - Wat Thung Nari Pattalung |
Another fine example of Pattalung's Maha Utt Pidta amulet to testify the usage of protective Yant script made by Portan Pon of Wat Thung Nari. Measuring less than 2cm in height, do not underestimate this small Cili Padi (Capsicum Frustecens Linn). Please note the Yant similarity of this Pidta and Boran Maha Uthai.
1st Batch Pidta Maha Utt by Portan Tut B.E.2555 |
In all aspects of efficacy and beauty whether it's 2, 4 or 6 hands Phra Pidta from Pattalung's master makers, they are very captivating. The highly decorated Yantra scriptures surrounding the Pidta's body would simply hypnotize your mind.
The Making Process
The only amulet in this Mahaputaphisek batch that did not get any help from outsiders in the making process is the 1st batch Rian by Ajahn Kampai. Ajahn Kampai is the relative of Ajahn Singern - the previous abbot of Wat Donsala. As far as we're concern, this is a very good effort taken by Ajahn Kampai to make his very first Rian medallion.
Ajahn Kampai
1st Batch Ajahn Kampai Wat Donsala |
Past & Present Kaeji Masters
Ajahn Nam Wat Donsala B.E.2557 |
If we try to think ahead in next 5, 10, 20 or maybe 30 years from now, most of these great masters during our era would have left this world including ourselves. Therefore, we should appreciate their Buddhist mission and compassion for us through their blessings in such Putthaphisek ceremony.
Wat Donsala B.E.2511 |
Just to proof our point let's flip back to past Kao Orr's Puttaphiesek method back in B.E.2511 at Wat Donsala. Top Southern Kaeji monks and white robe monks during that era consisted of Phra Ajahn Nam of Wat Donsala, Luang Phor Kong of Wat Ban Suan, Phra Ajahn Pal of Wat Khao Orr, Luang Phor Moon of Wat Khao Daeng, Phra Palad Puang of Wat Prasart Nikorn, Luang Phor Kloi of Wat Tham Khao Ngern, Ajahn Chum Chaikiri and Khunpundarak Rajadej.
Wat Donsala B.E.2511 From Left: Ajahn Nam, LP Kong, Ajahn Pal, LP Moon, Ajahn Chum Chaikiri |
Wat Donsala Sept 23 B.E.2557 |
Wat Kao Orr learned masters are famous for making talismans with unyielding elements of Kong Kraphan Chatri (invulnerability to sharp object penetration to the body), Klaew Klad (pushing danger away/lucky escape) and Maha Utt (stopping weapon/guns attack to the body).
Ajahn Nam Wat Donsala B.E.2557 |
A classic Rian of Ajahn Nam B.E.2519 |
As usual, whenever a particular amulet is famous for life saving or other miracles there will be plenty of fake replicas around. We simply can't avoid the economics of demand and supply. As demand soar so does the supply deplete. When the supply deplete, irresponsible parties will start filling the void with replicas to meet the strong demand. Hence, there is no surprise that some temples kept reproducing newer batches of a similar amulet talisman to ensure faithful Buddhist get a chance to conduct Dana generosity through monetary donation. In return the faithful receives a piece of the amulet to serve as remembrance for the Teacher's virtue. This will also keep fake replicas at bay. When our heart is good, an old piece or a new piece of amulet talisman can still grant us safety and good fortune in life. There's no need to go through the trouble in chasing after high-end expensive talisman or worst still a fake replica.
Saved by Ajahn Nam's gun-proof Rian B.E.2519 |
We are no expert in verifying amulets authenticity. So please do not drop us any request for such service. We are simply happy blogging to provide free reading to all fans. Hope new avid collectors after reading this article will not be misguided with a bias view thinking newly minted reproduction of famous monk talismans are not valuable. Yet they're absolutely powerful after going through a mass chanted Maha Putthaphisek. It's the quality of our mind which makes it powerful.
Ajahn Chum Chaikiri dubbed the 'Arcane Academician' whom had produced the most amulets on behalf of Wat Kao Orr in Pattalung. If there's a Shaolin Temple for mastering Kung Fu martial arts in China, then this is the Shaolin probably in the whole of Thailand for learning Siamese Arcane Sciences and Magical Knowledge. This institution produced the most powerful self-defense "Kongkrapan" and "Maha Utt" talismans of all types in Thailand.
Retro Classics of Pattalung in the late 60's
PATTALUNG'S MAGICAL SCIENCES
Apart from Wat Donsala in this Southern Thailand region, there're many other temples that excelled in magical sciences. Another such temple that caught our attention is a very low profile temple named Wat Jaeng. The present abbot Portan Pong had created the 1st batch (Roon Laek) of such Maha-Utt amulets in very recent year B.E.2555. Portan Pong is a Kaeji monk whom also took part in the recent Maha Puttaphisek at Wat Donsala.
Photo edited by SimplyBuy |
On 20th August 2013, a shooting incident happened in Pattalung where a guy was shot by a M-16 assault rifle. He managed to escape death and survived in that shooting incident leaving only some red spots on his body where the bullets hit him.
When this miraculous news broke later after that incident, all the sacred amulets of Portan Pong especially this particular piece was already out-of-stock from the temple. From inside story those who knew this shooting incident in advance had quietly went and acquire this particular M-16 piece by large quantity and kept it. Now everyone got a hard time to find this piece unless you're willing to pay the asking price.
1st Batch Roon Charoenporn B.E.2555 |
Again as always after this Rian medallion became famous, the price started going skyrocket high and became scarce. If nothing is being done about it, sooner or later imitation replicas will follow. Quite interestingly the printing technology today could reproduce very high quality copy even the original Phim block are being destroyed. One such example of a high quality copy is Luang Phor Koon B.E.2517 and many more other popular amulets.
As a result of this extraordinary miracle in stopping bullets from penetrating the body, a 2nd Batch Rian medallion was launched along with Bucha cast figure of Portan Pong in B.E.2557.
This new batch released called 'Roon Metta Baramee' is to meet the strong request from faithful devotees to have a piece of Portan's sacred talisman. The Phim design and Yantra used in this new Rian batch is completely different from its earlier M-16 version Roon Charoenporn.
2nd Batch Roon Metta Baramee B.E.2557 |
Roop Lor Portan Pong consecrated in B.E.2556 |
Portan Pong B.E.2557 Wat Jaeng Pattalung |
Another interesting highlight in Pattalung's magical sciences concerning protective amulets. We shall take a look into the art of dispelling evil spirits. Portan Aed has ecclesiastical practice routines and had helped many village folks in this Southern part to dispel black magic. He earned the respect and title “Ghostbuster” from villagers in present time. People called him “Archan Aed Prabphi” meaning “Archan Aed the Conqueror of malevolent spirits”. Villagers will look for him to subdue evil spirits or whenever they encounter paranormal situation.
Just a short biography about Prakru Arkom Sittivech (Aed Tankakho). He was born on 10 July B.E.2495 (A.D.1952) at 27 Mu.4, Tumbol Praekha, Kuankhanoon, Patthalung. His Father's name is Mr. Kook and mother Mrs. Choom Thepkhow.
Portan Aed ordained on July 4, 1979 at Wat Khaojiek, Pattalung. His preceptors are Prakru Udom Wiharnkoon, Pra Un Tanvaro and Prakru Sangkharak Kheed Kavivaso. Now at 62 years of age, he had been ordained for 35 years.
Portan Aed - Wat Khant Prachasant, Pattalung |
Porthan Aed's occult magic skills are inherited and learned from:
1. Family and Relatives:
- Portan Thong, Wat Khaopaje (uncle)
- Portan Plaek, Wat Pakpron (uncle)
- His Father (Mr. Kook)
2. Teacher and Monks:
- Portan Noon , Wat Tungyao
- Portan Moon Wat Kuankhant
Private Collection - Ner Thong Fabart Copper Alms Bowl B.E.2557 (1st Batch) - Portan Aed Wat Khant Prachasant with Handwritten Yant |
What's more important is the Puttaphisek sanctification and blessing conducted at Wat Khant Prachasant by Porthan Aed and other Kaeji monks to achieve optimum result for Kleaw Klad Kong Krapan Chatri and Maha Utt.
GUNS & ROSES IN THE DANGEROUS SOUTH
Next we may want to understand why Pattalung's magical sciences are focused in the 3 elements of Klaew Klad, Kong Krapan and Maha Utt. When we chose to write this Maha Puttaphisek story in Pattalung, it brought back our memories to an epic a train journey across this Southern region heading toward Bangkok. The vivid impressions of villages, small towns, wooden houses, farms, and people captured through our camera lens is simply astonishing.
Soldier escorting a commuter train in the troubled South |
Pattalung is located on the far south of Thailand with its many stunning natural beauty. Beyond its natural attractions hides a darker side due to poverty and social unrest for many generations. With poverty and social hardships, it is a natural breeding ground for crimes of all sort.
General Khunphandarak Rajadej - The Guardian Angel of Southern Thailand |
Guns everywhere, sporadic bombings, wildlife trafficking, secret societies, gangsters, mafias, etc. Southern Thailand (comprising of Pattalung, Songkla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat) is a good hideout for bandits too because it is faraway from the central government control in Bangkok. The common people are suffering hardship tremendously as a result of those hardcore crimes and rising violence in more recent years.
Bangkok Post - Wildlife Trafficking |
The birth of Wat Kao Orr had since helped many people irrespective of their backgrounds to protect themselves in this troubled South by making efficacious talismans containing those 3 elements. Kao Orr's magical sciences had been well proven ever since World War 1 and 2 until today.
If you're looking for highly protective amulet talismans, you've come to the right place. Ancient method and tradition for making Maha Utt (gun stopping) talismans are still being practiced in this dangerous southern part of Thailand. After all, nobody can guarantee anywhere in this world is safe from any harms and dangers.
Whatever the situation is today, Pattalung Province could be a hidden source for powerful amulets. This is due to hardship here in this dangerous south. Buddhism and all other religions always encouraged peace and harmony. Only until good overcomes evil, life will take a turn for the betterment of mankind and so will this art of making powerful amulets will be lost.
From our viewpoint, it's always great to have at least 1 piece of amulet that has strong protective power. This is especially relevant during economic downturns where crimes are prevalent. There's no perfect solution to the woes of the world. As firm believers in Buddhist amulets, the no. 1 priority is to seek self-protection against unwanted harms coming our way. But having too much protective power we will lack of people affinity such as Metta Mahaniyom. It's not easy to find one single amulet with a truly balanced power from smooth sailing to protection, popularity, success, money,opposite sex attraction, Kong Krapan, etc.
To overcome this issue is to wear more than 1 piece of amulet (i.e. 3, 5, 7 or 9 pieces combination of different amulets) on a single neck chain. For those who have a firm foundation in Buddhism just 1 piece of amulet is already good enough. You don't want to wear far too many amulets to deliberately frighten people and ghosts away.
Joint Puttaphisek Blessings
Coming back to our main topic about Puttaphisek sanctification ceremony at Wat Donsala, we may find some amulets that have been pre-blessed by some other guru monks and later re-blessed again. We shall term this as joint blessing. The rationale behind this joint blessing arrangement is to add more power to those amulets by leveraging on the mental power of congregating Kaeji monks at a Maha Puttaphisek.
Portan Pum is another Kaeji monk whom also took part in the recent Maha Puttaphisek at Wat Donsala. He is the oldest monk (at 113 years old) among all the Kaeji monks. The Sema Rian medallion of Portan Pum was intended for restoring his temple - Samnaksong Doijedee Sreeputsatit in Songkhla Province.
Rian Sema Portan Pum - Roon Laek (1st Batch) |
Every batch of amulets have to go through Putthaphisek sanctification process in order to make it highly sacred before releasing to the public. There's no exception to Portan Pum's amulet. Below are some photo captions of a small scale Puttaphisek which took place at Samnaksong Doijedee prior re-blessing at Wat Donsala later in Oct 2014.
Portan Pum is still very strong and healthy at this age. His determination and strength to restore the temple is fascinating and for this reason we've put a special highlight on this low profile monk. Furthermore, this is the 1st time and the 1st batch "Roon Laek Ayuyuen" being created by Portan Pum.
Samnaksong Doijedee |
Another talismans that made it to Wat Donsala's Maha Puttaphisek is by Portan Kloy of Wat Pukalthong. It's a very rare opportunity to be able to gather so many Kaeji monks all at the same time. Portan Kloy also took this opportune moment to get his amulet talismans re-blessed or add power just like Portan Pum had done.
Sanctification Blessings at Wat Donsala |
Sanctification Blessings at Wat Donsala |
Sadly less than a month after completing the blessing, Portan Kloy passed away on 14th December 2014. This would be his last amulet consecration to create some of Pattalung's magical charms for all devotees. Portan Kloy will be remembered for his high compassion, kindness and the Dharma which he bestowed upon all those whom knew him from near and faraway.
Deeper Down South
Before ending our story we shall bring you to another ancient temple deep inside Pattani Province called Wat Prawet Phupal or popularly known as Wat BanTrang that makes protective amulets. Pattani is also home to Wat Changhai and Luang Pu Tuad.
Wat Ban Trang, Pattani |
The current temple abbot is Portan Chao Seng born on 7th February B.E.2462 (A.D. 1919) and entered monkhood at age 21 back in B.E.2483 (A.D.1940). He is a pre-World War II Buddhist master.
Today at 95 years old (B.E. 2557) Portan Seng is a highly venerated Abbot in this forbidden region comprising of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. He is widely loved by the local villagers and safekeeping forces e.g. police and military that is protecting this 3 dangerous provinces.
(无可否认,在目前的局势的确是:[武器比法律更实际]. 除了依靠军力与武器之外,没有什么东西比得上佛牌圣物,更能给泰南平民带来安全感. Portan Seng 这几十年来,过着非常简低调的生活,他所加持的圣物,广泛的被当地居民与军人所喜爱. 尤其是军人们,多次有遇到带了Portan Seng 的圣物之后,化险为夷, 比如子弹开不出, 炸弹只出烟但没爆炸等等类似的事件.泰国佛牌圣物的神奇,在这样的环境下,更加明显了).
Admittedly there’s nothing more valuable than Portan Seng’s sacred talismans apart from weapons used for providing security in this Southern-most region. In such a furious living environment, bombs that doesn’t explode, guns that doesn’t fire at innocents who wears Portan Seng’s sacred amulets is simply astonishing.
More than 70 years ago when Portan Seng first came to Wat Ban Trang, the society here are far left behind in terms of education, medicine, and development. Many people left this predominantly Malay region to find better pasture elsewhere. Many years ago we came across a Thai businessman from this Southern region whom set-up a tourist souvenir shop in Phuket town. The businessman verified that the people are very poor in this Southern region and to earn a living is extremely tough there.
Puttaphisek Blessing in Wat Ban Trang |
Economic hardships coupled with insurgency attacks that is happening down south now had created even more social unrest for folks here. Whatever the shortfall is, Portan Seng had always believed that as a monk he should help people by using sacred spells and magical sciences which he learned from 2 former Abbots of Wat Ban Trang namely Portan Thong Keaw and Portan Chai.
In our opinion, Portan Seng can be considered a sacred monk in this Southern-most region. For his blessings many people find refuge in his protective charms. We can conclude that Southern Thailand talismans are merely made for protection purpose in the mind of every master makers.
In this remote part of the world Luang Pu Tuad talisman is the top most popular protective charm for saving life during a fatal car crash or surviving a violent attack. You will bound to find Luang Pu Tuad amulets in almost every temple you visit in this southern part of Thailand.
Rian Medallion "Lang Kru Nola" B.E.2556, Portan Seng |
Maha Puttaphisek at Wat Ban Trang
Rian Medallion Charoenporn B.E.2557 Portan Seng |
It's pretty common for Thailand's military to hand out amulets to its Buddhist soldiers on active duty in the Southern side. With such strong superstition in the mind, the faithful Buddhists would seek these protective charms for added security and protection. We never actually own an amulet because as mortal being we do have a lifespan. We are just borrowing its magical power for our own self-protection to our level best during times of danger or in our normal daily life. It will be handed down to our next generation. Birth, ageing, sickness and death is unavoidable known as the 4 Noble Truths.
In retrospect, there's no absolute guarantee that these protective charms can be a life saving companion no matter how sacred it may be. However, it may be able to help us to mitigate harms and even prevent untimely death if our Karma is not too serious and not the right time to die yet. If the door of death is waiting right in front due to conditioning of our strong Karmic forces, there's nothing much we could do no matter how many highly sanctified amulets we wear. Hence, the best practice is learning for non-attachment in accordance to our Tathagatha (The Teacher, Lord Buddha). Acceptance of both bad and good luck with a neutral state of mind is the way forward as a practicing Buddhist. Smelling is just smelling. Seeing is just seeing. Feeling is just feeling and so forth all without attachment for liking or disliking. Accept whatever that comes along even death with mind neutrality. That's the Vipassana approach to non-attachment.
However said, as believers of these Buddhist talismans and protective charms, it is better to have it than not to have at all while we're still on the path to unchain ourselves from the onslaught of rebirth cycle. We are protecting ourselves against fools with a badly tainted mind who will not hesitate to use all kind of excuses in the name of religion or belief system to justify killings or harming of other human beings. As amulet collectors the money used for owning these talismans would generally be put to used to help support Buddhism and the temple in one way or the other. It's the purity of heart and a clear understanding that should be our guiding light into acquiring these sacred protective charms.
A Maha Puttaphisek of any kind would not be fully complete without the involvement of white robes Ajahn. This is simply due to the complicated process to invite certain Gods and spirits from the other spiritual world to partake in a sanctification process. This will usually involve sacrificing of chickens, pigs, offering of fruits, flowers and other condiments that are not part of Buddhism but deemed necessary in Thai's magical sciences in making amulets.
Ajahn Plian ceremonial ritual at Wat Donsala |
Monks are forbidden to kill animals or conduct animistic rituals and for such reasons white robe Ajahns are always present to provide assistance in those rituals for sanctifying ceremony just like Ajahn Chum Chaikiri and Khunphandarak Rajadej had assisted in the past.
Ajahn Nam before becoming a monk together with Khunphan as white robe Kaeji monk. Inset Portan Klai. |
Kaeji monks would possess mental power (Palangit) and magical knowledge (Wittayaakom). Therefore, in any important amulet sanctification event such as this Maha Puttaphisek we would expect to meet these Kaeji monks who are highly skilled though they may remain very low profile.
You have witnessed all the top Southern's Kaeji monks in this era from the many photos presented in this article story. The world we live in is getting dangerous by the days. If any of these Pattalung's sacred amulets help to deflect danger away in your own experience, we shall live another day to perform more merits to serve humankind better. This is the truth behind all amulets sanctification.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
THE END
This article will not materialize without the kind assistance and generosity from temple helpers, photo contributors, bro Kee CK, William and other donors. May their noble cause in giving support to Buddha Sasana (Buddha's Dispensation) through this event help them reap the reward for Non-Attachment in the distant future.
It's very unfortunate that we do not sell any of these amulets. Thanks for enjoying this story.
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