Author:

Pra Kru Wat Bang Pha In
วพระกรุวัดบางปะอิน

The Legacy of Wat Pho Bang Pa-In Amulets: A Testament to Devotion

The history of the Wat Pho Bang Pa-In amulets is a tale that illustrates the pure intentions of a layman whose unwavering dedication and profound faith aimed to perpetuate Buddhism. This individual’s noble aspiration to create 84,000 amulets, in accordance with Buddhist scriptures, left a lasting impact on his community and the broader realm of amulet collectors.

Ta Nom: The Devoted Creator

Ta Nom, a man of Chinese descent, lived on a boat near the mouth of Ban Pho Canal. He made a living by rowing and selling betel leaves and nuts. Driven by a strong devotion to Buddhism, Ta Nom spent his free time crafting various types of amulets, including Phra Pidta, Phra Somdej, and representations of the Buddha seated on a porcupine (similar to Phra Luang Phor Pan). After molding and firing these amulets, he placed them in a small, dilapidated stupa at Wat Pho in Bang Pa-In.

This stupa, situated next to the ordination hall, was in a state of disrepair, with an opening at the top. Ta Nom began his amulet-making endeavor around 1907 and continued for many years, as recounted by the local elders.

An Undeterred Mission

For over a century, Ta Nom persisted in his mission. As he created more amulets, he would place them in the small stupa, undeterred by the local villagers’ perception of him as eccentric. Despite this, the community recognized Ta Nom as a man deeply committed to his moral and spiritual principles. His single-minded dedication to creating amulets, which some deemed obsessive, was the cause of his perceived abnormality.

In his later years, Ta Nom passed away quietly, without much notice or concern from others. The stupa beside the ordination hall became known as the repository for his amulets. Over time, these amulets surfaced when children discovered them spilling out from the stupa’s cracks, using them in their games. Some adults who found the amulets returned them to their original place.

The Unveiling and Misrepresentation

In 1966, the temple sought funds to construct a new ordination hall. Opportunistic individuals excavated the stupa, selling the amulets and creating a fictional backstory linking them to Somdej Phra Phutthachan (To) to increase their value. This narrative drew significant attention, including from local dignitaries and even royalty, leading to a grand ceremony that captivated the nation. A statue of Somdej Phra Phutthachan was erected at the temple as a result.

The True Value and Legacy

Despite the fabricated stories, the genuine legacy of Ta Nom’s amulets should not be overlooked. The amulets, crafted with sincere devotion and meticulous effort, reflect Ta Nom’s dedication to Buddhism. Each amulet, particularly the Phra Pidta, exhibits unique artistic elements and craftsmanship, using a special type of clay that required significant effort to mold and fire.

Significance of Wat Pho Bang Pa-In Amulets

The amulets from Wat Pho Bang Pa-In, now over a hundred years old, are noteworthy for several reasons:

1. Historical Value: These amulets are over a century old and reasonably priced, making them accessible to new collectors.
2. Pure Intentions: Created with genuine dedication and effort, these amulets embody the pure intentions of their maker.
3. Proven Efficacy: The amulets have a reputation for their spiritual benefits, making them highly sought after despite many counterfeits.
4. Cultural Impact: They have significantly contributed to the development of Wat Pho and the local community, aligning with Ta Nom’s goal of supporting Buddhism.
5. Enduring Legacy: The continued existence and veneration of these amulets demonstrate their effectiveness in perpetuating the Buddhist faith.

Despite modern developments at Wat Pho Bang Pa-In, a crucial element remains missing—a memorial to Ta Nom. His contributions have upheld and enriched Buddhism, warranting recognition for his unwavering faith and dedication.

This amulet is known as Phra Kru, Neua Chin, Wat Talaat Plu and covered in pure gold. These amulets are now rare but really beautiful and well worth collecting. They originally adorned a number of wooden panels within the old temple known as Wat Jantaram, located on Taothai road, Chonburi, Bangkopk. locally this temple has alwways been called Wat Taalat Plu. 

Note the grooves and colouring to the back of the amulets, signature marking where these amulets were originally fixed to the temple woodwork. Some are also punctured with nail holes.

It is not known who blessed these amulets but it was thought to be former abbot of the temple and are quite llikely a few hundred years old

In BE 2485 the old temple was demolished to make way for a new temple on the same site. These Buddha images were collected by the locals and it was not long after that miraculous events associated with these amukets were being reported.

It is believed that these amulets are of great purity (Wwisuti) and as such offer invincibility or Kong Krapan. So strong was this belief that they were ubnbelievably requisitioned by the Government who issued a circular requesting the return of the amulets to distribute to soldiers on the front line of the indochinese war.

After that the stories and accounts of the protectivbe qualities of these amulets increased considerably and ity is believed that saved countless lives.

Highly recomended.