Phra Kaew Mani Chot

Phra Pim Somdej Phra Kaew Mani Chot
File:SaGa004 edit.jpg Phra Kaew Mani Chot amulet
Material	Powder and clay mixed with powder
Height	2.5 cm
Width	3 cm

Phra Pim Somdej Phra Kaew Mani Chot (Thai: พระพิมพ์สมเด็จพระแก้วมณีโชติ) is a Thai Buddhist amulet produced at Wat Sa Kaeo Pathum Thong in Phitsanulok Province. It was created under the supervision of Phra Khru Silsarnsamban (Samruay Sampanno), abbot of the temple, and is considered the ultimate original of the "Maha Chakraphat Formula" amulets.

Background

In 1968, the Phitsanulok Provincial Buddhist Association, led by Mr. Lamiat Ampwasiri and Mr. Niam Sukkhaew, learned that Phra Khru Silsarnsamban had collected and preserved numerous ancient sacred substances and rare antiques. He also safeguarded soil from the base of the Somdej Phra Nang Phaya stupa at Wat Nang Phaya, Phitsanulok.

The committee, along with General Samarang Phaetyakul, then Commander of the 3rd Army, invited Phra Khru Silsarnsamban to oversee the creation of amulets made of powder and clay for the grand Maha-Buddha consecration ceremony held on 19–20 January 1972 at Phra Vihara Phra Chinnarat, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai), Phitsanulok.

Creation

Phra Khru Silsarnsamban began pressing, firing, and baking amulets from 1968 onward. For the 1972 production, the ordination hall at Wat Sa Kaeo Pathum Thong was closed to press amulets, including the Phra Pim Somdej Phra Kaew Mani Chot, in both small and large molds with a back inscribed with the Kaew Mani Chot yantra.

The amulets emphasize the use of "clay mixed with old powders" and were fired similarly to other ancient amulets such as Phra Khong Lamphun, Phra Rod Lamphun, Phra Nang Phaya of Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai stupa amulets. The primary material comes from soil under the stupa base of Somdej Phra Nang Phaya, estimated to contain relics over 700–800 years old, including fragments of old amulets.

Other ingredients include powders from 108 sacred flowers from major temples nationwide, gold leaf from important Buddha images such as Phra Phutthasothon at Wat Sothon Wararam, 108 types of herbal powders, soil from provincial ubosots and viharns, soil from the four sacred sites in India, powders from broken ancient amulets (Phra Somdej Wat Rakang, Phra Nang Phaya, Phra Rod, Phra Khun Paen, Suphan powder), and nine-metal powders from Somdej Phra Sangharaja (Pa Tis Stevo) and Chao Khun Sri (San) of Wat Suthat. Holy water from royal coronation ceremonies and water used to bathe the Emerald Buddha were also included.

After mixing, the amulets were fired at high temperatures at the foundry of Sergeant Major Dr. Tawee Booranaket, producing a range of colors including black, gray, creamy white, yellowish flower tone, light brown, and burnt brown. Some variations were considered miraculous depending on faith and interpretation.

The production was strictly restricted to ordained monks and novices who had completed purification rites; laypersons were not allowed to handle the powders.

Amulet Types

• Phra Pim Somdej Phra Kaew Mani Chot amulets were made in small and large molds and eight colors: shiny black, white, brick red, dawn red, indigo, light brown, gray, and brown, collectively called the "Eight Directions Arahant Amulets."
• White amulets contain a higher proportion of powders from Phra Somdej Wat Rakang and Phra Somdej Wat Bang Khun Phrom and are considered the purest. Fewer than 100 pieces were produced, symbolizing the rarity of the Buddha himself.

References

📰 Article(s) of the same category(ies)

• Phra Phim amulet
• Thai Buddha amulet
• Phra Somdet Jitlada
• Phra Somdet Wat Rakhang
• Phra Pidta
• Phra Setthi Navagotta
• Phra Kring

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