Phra Buddha Chinnaraj "Victory Buddha"

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Phra Buddha Chinnaraj is one of the most beautiful and venerated Buddha sculpture in the posture of submitting Mara in Thailand. Wat Yai is famous throughout Thailand for this gold casted Phra Buddha Chinnaraj also known as “Victory Buddha” to the Thais. Wat Yai (meaning Big Temple) is also referred to as Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahatat Woramahawihan and it is regarded as the most important Thai Theravada monastery in Phitsanulok Province.

Inside Wat Yai hosts Phra Buddha Chinnaraj which was built during the reign of King Mahathamma Racha Lithai in AD 1357. The pearl inlaid wooden doors of the temple were built by King Borommakot in AD 1756 dedicated to Phra Buddha Chinnaraj. Behind the temple is a large pagoda measuring 36m high with a staircase leading up to the niche containing Lord Buddha’s relics. In front of the pagoda, there is Phra Attharos, a standing Buddha image.

Throughout history, the Royal family in Thailand firmly believed in Phra Buddha Chinnaraj until the extent that King Rama 5 faithfully made several copies of the Victory Buddha to be placed in other parts of Thailand including Wat Benchamabophit in Bangkok and Wat Saranat Thammaram in Rayong. However, the original Phra Buddha Chinnaraj at Wat Yai remained as the most popular and why is it so? We may want to dwell into the history making of this sacred Buddha, second in Thailand after the sacred Emerald Buddha of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

According to commentary records emphasized that Phra Buddha Chinnaraj is the most powerful and respected Buddha in Thailand. Not only that. It’s also regarded as a perfect Buddha in the Thai Kingdom. The sculpture of this Buddha for Success traced back to AD1357 with over 650 years of history. During the Sukhothai era, King Mahathamma Racha Lithai felt devastated over the many deaths due to war. Feeling unrest due to the fear of Karma for the many killings had caused King Lithai grave concerns. In order to reduce his own Karma and seek forgiveness from his lost soldiers at the battlefield, he wanted to perform some good deeds. Hence, King Lithai ordered the construction of Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat. More importantly, the King had wished to have 3 residing Buddha gilded in gold to be constructed and placed inside the new temple; Phra Buddha Chinnaraj, Phra Buddha Chinnasri and Phra Buddha Satsada.

King Lithai had especially engaged 5 of the most cultivated holy men in white robes with austerity practice to participate in the making of the three Buddha sculptures. In addition to that, he also sought the best sculptors at that time in the formation of this working team.

The Buddha statues are made from a combination of 5 metal compounds; gold, silver, copper, metal and tin. When the construction of all the statues was completed, the unexpected happened. Only 2 of the statues was successfully completed which was Phra Buddha Chinnasri and Phra Buddha Satsada. The Phra Buddha Chinnaraj failed for unknown reason.

Not long after that, King Lithai ordered the construction of Phra Chinnaraj again for the 2nd time. This time more specialists were engaged to do the job. Again the project failed and nobody knows the reason for the failure. Rendered with such disaster, he then decided to defer the construction of Phra Buddha Chinnaraj for a while. However, he did not give up the plan just because of the “unknown” problems that was encountered. He offered prayers to have a solemn and perfect Buddha statue for the Thai people to venerate.

Two years went by and the King had decided it’s time he would begin construction of Phra Buddha Chinnaraj for the 3rd time. Everything went well at first but when come to the stage of pouring the 5 metal composites during the casting process, uneasy feelings crept into the minds of the sculptors fearing the recurrence of previous unsuccessful attempts. An elderly man in white robe suddenly appeared out from nowhere to give them assurance and offered to help. Before long, the material casting process of Phra Buddha Chinnaraj was done. Everyone prayed sincerely at the crucial moment of opening the casting mould to see the outcome of the statue whether this time they succeed in their attempt or fail again. Gradually the mould encasing the Victory Buddha was opened and the golden structure began to illuminate. Tears flowed from the eyes of King Lithai and everyone as they have been bestowed upon a solemn Buddha statue and a successful mission accomplished.

While everyone was admiring the newly constructed statue, they suddenly realized the elderly man in white robe vanished into thin air was nowhere to be found. People started to speculate that the elderly man was a celestial being sent from heaven to assist in the construction of the Victory Buddha. The King then ordered the construction of a small temple as thanksgiving to commemorate the elderly man.

In Thai scriptures, it’s mentioned that at the sides surrounding the Victory Buddha are two ferocious Nagas (dragon) that frequently caused harms and devastation to people. Finally, they were subdued by Lord Buddha and were converted as celestial Dharma guardians. The other 2 celestial beings that are placed near to both knees of Lord Buddha are the powerful Dharma protectors; Hanuman (Monkey God) and Tao Tetsuwan (Door Guardian).  Thai people and many Buddhist prayed to the Victory Buddha and most of their wishes are answered.

Sacred amulets bearing the image of this remarkable Phra Buddha Chinnaraj are able to ward off dangers, bring success and peace to oneself. Worshippers firmly believing in Phra Buddha Chinnaraj can bring them a successful and happy life will install a smaller version to be venerated in their homes. Such is the history and high veneration for Phra Buddha Chinnaraj for success in life that has a huge following and respect from all Theravadian Buddhists.

From the perspective of a Buddhist, whichever Buddha images we may have installed at home is not important. The purpose is not to worship Lord Buddha as an idol. Instead we must take the correct approach to constantly remind us that a Buddha’s image represents His teachings. Hence, it is crucial to understand Buddhism doctrine regarding the sublime subject on Anicca, Dukkha and Anatta while eradicating the mind defilements associated with Lobha, Dosa and Moha. This can only be achieved through meditation practice to develop the Wisdom and see the Truth in accordance with His profound teaching. As a true Buddhist at heart, we must strive on to attain Victory by ourselves following this doctrine to reach the ultimate bliss.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!


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Phra Kring - The Ringing Amulet

Phra Kring is popularly known as “Ringing Amulet” by many. It was intended that when a Phra Kring is shaken, a ringing sound could be heard due to its metal cast hollow body containing a small ball bearing. In recent years Phra Kring amulet was referred to as “Medicine Buddha” probably due to its healing ability when carried along would cure illnesses.

Another amulet resemblance to Phra Kring is called Phra Chaiyawat . The close similarity between Phra Chaiyawat with Phra Kring is hard to be distinguished from the outlook. The only major difference is Phra Chaiyawat do not produce any ringing sound when shaken. Obviously Phra Chaiyawat does not contain a metal ball bearing inside its hollow metal casted body unlike Phra Kring.

All these varying terminology and differences in appearance does not alter the way that Phra Kring or Phra Chaiyawat bestow its protective energies to the worshipper. Thus, I once heard a story from an amulet circle friend of mine John whom hailed from Penang.  This story was told to me that actually happened to him many years ago.  John used to travel every fortnightly using an old company car to the East Coast to visit his customers mainly in Kelantan and Terengganu.  Back in 1998 a friend of his gave him a Phra Kring from Wat Lam Sai as a gift to bring luck and protection.  Feeling appreciated, the gift had served John very well as an early piece of amulet under his collection till today that had even saved his life from a freak accident. 

My most humble gratitude to John for his consent in allowing the publication of this story whole heartedly and taking his time in photographing his Phra Kring to share with all SimplyBuy's members, collectors and visitors.  It is our greatest hope that with this sincerity in sharing more people will come to understand the miracles of Phra Kring.

Wearing only this particular Phra Kring the freak accident happened on 22 July 2002 during his travel journey from Penang to Kota Bahru, Kelantan using the Gerik Timur highway. For those of us who have tried this highway after visiting Wat Uttamaram will certainly know how deserted the road was with many kilometres apart before you could see another passing motorist. It’s most eerie at the Jeli -Kuala Kangsar long treacherous stretch of road condition surrounded by thick forest where handphone signal is off-coverage. That’s kind of scary if you were to drive at night.

I cannot fully recall the entire story but the most apparent part of the story told was that his car suddenly went out of control and skidded along the steep mountainous road. The feeling of “somebody” or unseen forces trying to sway his car steering wheel off the road is very real according to his experience. The last thing he could remember was thinking of and had complete trust to his Phra Kring while hanging on to the ordeal. Before long the car finally rolled over to a complete stop inside a ditch where no passing motorist could notice his badly damaged car.

When he pulled himself out from the wreckage, surprisingly he was not injured at all and is still alive to tell me this story. Badly shaken, he managed to crawl up to the road side to get help from passing motorists, if there’s any. But it seems like ages waiting for any passing motorist. He then prayed to his Phra Kring again for assistance and eventually an old motorcyclist appeared.  That’s the closest story that I have heard in relation to Phra Kring’s magical sciences. Today John is still working in the same company and happily travelling to the East Coast region visiting customers on a monthly basis. He’s also a fan of Kelantan amulet genres and Than Lek’s stuffs.

To further explain Phra Kring and Phra Chaiyawat are actually mini statues that represent Lord Buddha’s image for the purpose of carrying anywhere for luck, guardianship and protection. In Cambodia, there has been a long tradition of Phra Kring worship called Kring Pathum that started the trend of “ringing amulet” in Thailand during the Sukhothai era. The worshipping of this iconic small size image containing a metal seed inside its hollow body does not confined in Thailand and Cambodia only but also spread over to China, Japan, Tibet and Vietnam.

Phra Chaiyawat is a Buddha statue (similar like Phra Kring) but without the metal seed concealed inside the metal casting. Therefore, it cannot produce any ringing sounds. A tradition had been passed down for many generations from master makers dictating that Phra Chaiyawat must be crafted first before Phra Kring.  What it means is that Phra Chaiyawat must be the firstly crafted prior to Phra Kring in the same batch or edition.

A Phra Chaiyawat is smaller in size in comparison to a Phra Kring.  In essence, a Phra Chaiyawat is smaller in size therefore it's not suitable to insert a ball bearing into the hollow body cast to produce a jingling bell sound.


Wat Bowon Pairee Pinat  

  

The above example inside this box from Wat Bowon is called Phra Chaiwat Pairee Pinat.  The shape and feature looked almost identical to a Phra Kring but only Wat Bowon under the Royal Patronage is authorized to create Pairee Pinat.  Wat Bowen is the official temple of the Supreme Patriach of Thailand. The Buddha image here is well-known by the name of Phra Pairee Pinat literally mean Vanquishing All Enemies. Pairee Pinat aids in improving human relationship (metta), career and wealth luck.

Somehow we did notice that Phra Kring is more popular among worshippers and enthusiasts as they are being produced more to satisfy the market demand and to serve as a protective talisman to usher good fortunes and good health to the wearers.  But nevertheless Phra Pairee Pinat is also capable to provide the same potent effects as Phra Kring. 

Phra Kring Wat Suthat

Arcane knowledge with complex ritual process is used in the creation of Phra Chaiyawat and Phra Kring. The process starts from collecting and acquiring organic and non-organic materials believed to have magical potency to be blended into the metal compound. Ritualistic steps are taken all the way using potent incantations and charms right through the finishing touches in order to make this talisman work. What makes these talismans unique is the choosing of an auspicious date and time for the metal casting, and the number of pieces. Method used in the making of such talisman depends on individual makers either by traditional moulding technique or modern casting technology. These high complex rituals and the utmost care taken in craftsmanship limit the production quantity despite high market demand.

The history of making Phra Kring in Thailand dated back to King Naresuan and Phra Somdej Panaret's era during Ayutthaya period.  The scriptures for making Phra Kring states that in order to make an effective or "saksit" Phra Kring, the material combination must include 108 types of yantra from Takrut formations.  However, the scripture was lost during the chaotic war time and later the secret making of a saksit Phra Kring was inherited by Somdej Sam Ploem a few decades later.  The inheritence of this ancient scripture then went to Somdej Pavarit of Wat Bovorn in Bangkok.

However, Phra Kring wasn't popular until sometime in B.E.2520s when Phra Sangharat Pae from Wat Suthat Thepwararam revived the traditional scripture in the study of making effective saksit Phra Kring.  The reason for the study and research was because of the astonishing result when an old Phra Kring Pavarit upon  submerged into making holy water could miraculously cured His teacher, Somdej Vanarat Daeng from illness.  Since then Phra Kring Wat Suthat became famous under Phra Sangharat Pae.  The main reason for His success was largely due to Wat Suthat itself because the name Wat Suthat Themwararam is translated as "Temple In Heavens" surrounded by celestial devas and guardian angels.  All Phra Kring editions prior B.E.2536 are moulded in front of the temple's main Ubosot because it was deemed a mythical spot full of devine energies to make the Phra Kring very saksit or effective.  Today's Wat Suthat Phra Kring generation are no longer moulded at the front temple space as mentioned earlier.  Nevertheless they are still popular among worshippers and collectors from all over the world.

One may be thinking what is the significance of shaking a Phra Kring in order to activate its resonating bell sounds.  Well, in doing so you are actually activating the divine help from Phra Kring.  To give an example  for the purpose of activating the bell sounds by shaking the Phra Kring, I recall an explanation  given by an old uncle and a collector himself.  A perculiar example given was if somebody owes you debt, before you step out from your house to collect the debt, simply shake the Phra Kring and hear its bell resonance.  If it rings, then you may proceed.  If the Phra Kring doesn't ring at all, do not bother to go because it's telling you that it's not a significant day to collect debt from that person.  Likewise, when in a dire situation, activating the bell in the same way may get the divine assistance from your faithful Phra Kring.

Popular examples of this talisman category are Phra Kring Pavares, Phra Kring Chin Nok, Phra Kring Bakeng Nok, Phra Kring made by Phra Sangharat Pae and Chao Khun Si of Wat Suthat, and other Cambodian masters. For the affluent Phra Kring collectors, the most sought after is perhaps the first edition Phra Kring made by LP Ngern of Wat BangKlan in Pichit Province and LP Doem of Wat NongPho in Nakhon Sawan Province.

We at SimplyBuy hope that you have enjoyed this knowledge sharing in bringing out the best of Phra Kring "Ringing Amulet" history, usage and its hidden potent qualities when shaken.

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Wat Phra Pathom Chedi

During the reign of King Asoka in India over 2,000 years ago, Buddhist missionaries was sent to propagate Buddhist philosophies in Nakhon Pathom city which had been a centre of the Dvaravati civilisation. Archeological scholars unanimously agreed that Monk Sona Thera and Monk Uttra Thera, first made Nakhon Pathom their base of religious propagation around the 3rd Buddhist century.

This once prosperous city was abandoned during the 12th century in 1057 A.D. and thereafter Nakhon Pathom was deserted and eventually overcome by jungle. Some of its inhabitants reportedly returned but then abandoned the city again due to flooding by a nearby river. The area is still prone to flooding and it’s swampy.

Phra Pathom Chedi was left to decay in the jungle without care or attention, until after many centuries later when Buddhist monks came to reside here during the reign of King Rama 2 in the early 1800's A.D.

During the reign of King Rama 3, his brother Prince (later King) Mongkut, while a member of the Buddhist priesthood, went several times on pilgrimage to the stupa. On his accession to the Throne, King Mongkut (Rama 4) began a restoration process in 1853 A.D. by building an enormous Chedi over the existing one, including an entire complex with four chapels, numerous sculptures and castings of Buddha (including the immense Reclining Buddha), displays of ancient artefacts, caves into the base of the structure where one can go meditate and pray, and a nice garden sanctuary.

King Rama 4 did not live to see completion of the temple, and the work was carried on by King Chulalongkorn (Rama 5). In addition, King Rama 5 had the jungle pushed back and an entire city was built around the Chedi. A new community only settled down after the renovation of Phra Pathom Chedi was completed during the reign of King Rama V of the Chakri Dynasty.

Phra Pathom Chedi remained as the largest pagoda in Thailand today. Phra Pathom Chedi is the official provincial symbol of Nakhon Pathom at present times. It is assumed that the former Chedi dates back to the year 539 AD due to the fact that the upside down bell shaped Chedi has a similar style to the Sanchi Chedi in India which was built in the reign of King Asoka.

Since Buddhism flourished in this region of Nakhon Pathom, there are many other stupas and temples that were built. Other Nakhon Pathom popular temples for amulet collectors are Wat SisaThong (famous for Phra Rahu worship), Wat Sam Ngam Lp Tae (GumanThong), Wat Rai Khing, Wat Bang Phra (Sakyant Tattoo made famous by LP Pern), Wat Paniangdaek of old time guru LP Tah, Wat Donyaihom associated with LP Ngern and many more temples.  Therefore, it is a must visit to Phra Pathom Chedi and other Nakhon Pathom temples in general.

The construction of the new huge Chedi was completed in the reign of King Rama 5 in 1870 AD. In all, it took 17 years to build. The completed Chedi is a circular one that features an upside down bell shape Chedi (Lankan style). The height from ground to a top crown is some 120.45 metres, and a total diameter at the base is 233.50 metres. The sacred Chedi houses Lord Buddhas relics.

Ven. Phra Thampriyat-tive Thee - Abbot of Wat Phra Pathom Chedi

Wat Phra Pathom Chedi is famous for making mainstream amulets e.g. Somdej.  Exhibited above is Phra Somdej made with old Chedi materials in brown color, and inserted with Silver, Copper, and real Gold takrut.  The trademark of all issued Somdej is represented by an image of the iconic Pathom Chedi either printed or stamped at the rear.

Well-known to many, Nakhon Pathom was the first recorded center of Theravada Buddhism in Thaialand during the Dvaravati period back in the 7th century A.D.  Most Buddha images were made from stones or bricks during that period.  Big Buddha images are usually sculptured in seating or standing position, whereas the smaller ones were usually inscripted with Pali words - Gatha Ye Dhamma (Words of Buddha).  An example of a big Pathom style Buddha image can still be seen inside the Uposatha Hall.

During the reign of King Rama 6, Wat Phra Pathom was renovated again and later the temple became the royal temple of King Rama 6.  Within the monastery compound, there are various interesting historical items, including the Phra Ruang Rodjanarith, an image of Buddha bestowing pardon is enshrined in a Vihara located to the North and in front of Phra Pathom Chedi.

The casting of this Buddha image (see picture below) was casted during the reign of King Rama 6; the images head, hand, and feet were brought from Muang Srisatchanalai, Sukhothai. Under royal command, a wax sculpture of the Buddha image was moulded.  The casting process was held at Wat Phra Chettuphon in 1913.  Later, the Buddha image was enshrined in the Vihara, located on the north side at the top of a huge staircase. The King granted the name of Phra Rung Rodjanarith Sri-intharathit Thammamopas Mahavachiravuth Rachpuchaniyabopitr to this Buddha image. At its base, the relics of King Rama 6 are placed.

Wat Phra Nakhon Chedi is still a learning center in Buddhism studies today following the path of early India missionaries humble beginning.  Samaneras and newly ordained monks pursuing the studies of Pali and higher Buddhist doctrines are taught by qualified teachers.

Wat Phra Nakhon Chedi had provided a truly international setting in receiving students from Sri Lanka, Cambodia and other Buddhist nations.  Accommodation facilities are available for those wanting to study the Dhamma scriptures.

Although Wat Phra Pathom Chedi may be a tourist destination, nevertheless it is a highly revered temple by both Nakhon Pathom folks and international Buddhist followers.  For the avid amulet collector, it must be noted the most valuable treasure here is none other than Somdej votive tablets that are made with the inclusion of old Chedi roof tiles or brick materials.  The funds from amulet sales will be channelled back for temple restoration.  A large portion of newly made Somdej and other similar powder based amulets such as those shown in this article are being kept inside the Chedi rooftop for future generation. 

We hope you have enjoyed this temple tour and may all living beings accrue merits for the cessation of suffering. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!


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