Phra Rod is the oldest
amulet in Thailand, found at Wat Mahawan, Lampoon Province in Northern of
Thailand. Made from clay and other sacred materials with mixed Buddhism
style between Davarawadi and Sri Vichai in the middle age of Haripoonchai
period (12nd century) B.E. 1223 (A.D. 680) date back over 1,300
years.
There are many memorandums of Haripoonchai City or Lampoon nowadays about
the making of Phra Rod mentioned that the city was completely found by a
group of hermits (Sudheva Lersi and Sukatakata Lersi) purely by the power of
magic.
Once
constructed the city, all hermits had to consider a suitable ruler for the
city. Eventually, they concluded that Princess Chama Dhewi, the daughter of
the King of Lawoh (Lopburi city) was the most suitable person to take over
the throne. Therefore, they invited Princess Charma Dhevi from Lawa Pura to
be the Queen of Haripoonchai City and thus, she became first ruler of the
ancient city.
Phra Nang Chama Dhewi, the Queen who ruled the city state of Haripoonchai
in the Northern of Thailand, had built 4 temples of good fortune to protect
the land. In B.E. 1223 when Haripoonchai city was found, she invited 4 great
hermits into the ceremony. The 4 hermits had created “Phra Sukaputtapatima”
by each own and keep safe in 4 temples where located in North, South, West
and East of Haripoonchai city for the purpose of expanding Buddha religion.
“Phra Sukaputtapatima” comprises of 5 amulets: Phra Perm, Phra Bang, Phra
Khong, Phra Liang and Phra Rod.
The four temples where located at 4 corners of town were found by Queen Phra
Nang Chama Dhewi are:
1.Wat Donkaew in East side. In B.E.2484-2485 people found Phra Perm,
Phra Bang, Phra Khong, Phra Liang, etc. All amulets were found in exception
of Phra Rod.
2.Wat PhraKhong in North side, later called Wat PhraKhongLersi
3.Wat Mahawan in West side, Phra Rod amulets were found here.
4.Wat Pratoolee in South side which was used as the route to
escape enemies in war time as “Phratoolee” mean door for escape.
These 4 temples have all of Lumpoon province amulets and have been found at
later time. The 4 hermits had kept their amulets in Wat Donkaew, Wat
PhraKhong, Wat Mahawan, Wat Pratoolee. These amulets are beautiful arts of
Haripoonchai.
“Phra Rod” was from hermit’s name “Narata Lersi” and changed to “NaRod” in
later time. Once people found the amulets at Wat Mahawan, they started to
call “Phra Rod”.
Legend said that Sudheva Lersi and Sukatakata Lersi had met with 108
hermits in the ceremony to create Haripoonchai’s amulets by bringing sacred
clay from 4 different land, 108 herbs and flowers. All sacred material were
mixed and pressed into molds, then chanted with spell by 108 hermits.
There are 5 pim (mold type) Pim Yai, Pim Klang, Pim Lek, Pim Tuean and Pim
Tor. Phra Rod is one of most famous oldest amulets in the set of Benjapakee.
Amulets were made by the craftman of Haripoonchai in the own arts style
bearing particularly unique beauty.
Reason for Phra Rod Creation
The purpose of Phra Rod creation was to be tradition of the king and
religious renewal and strengthening prosperity. However, giving the amulets
to the military was to be mental restraint tool because in those past days
the country was always invaded by the enemies.
Discovering of Phra Rod
Phra
Rod was found in the first time in earlier period of King Rama V but the
memorandum of a monk named “Tha”, the head of Wat Kong Lersi in that time
and from the monk named “Boontham” of Wat Phrathat Haripoonchai mentioned
that in 2435 (1892) Chedi of Wat Mahawan was ruined and some part collapsed.
The Chedi was rebuilt so the amulets were found inside. Some of these
amulets were again refilled back into the Chedi.
In
2451 (1908), the base of Chedi Wat Mahawan was ruined and found amulets
which were refilled in 2435 (1892). All of these amulets were brought out.
These amulets were found in large quantity and recognized to be amulet from
old Chedi which succeed till now.
Also
newly made of Phra Rod amulets to replace the old period amulets in Chedi,
expected that made by Khruba Krongkaew which different period from the
amulets in first found.
Until in 2498 (1955), the amulets were found again by digging in the temple
area and under the priest’s bode. These founds were recognized amulets from
new lot which available nowadays. Then in 2506 (1963), in renovation of the
chapel is the last time of finding Phra Rod amulets about 300 pieces.
Eversince people oftenly dug to find amulet in the temple area but rare.
Nowadays, digging was forbidden.
Phra
Rod made from baked clay which seen in several colors due to difference of
temperature used to bake the amulets (low to high) white, yellow, orange
brick, red, green, brown and black. Phra Rod is beautiful in Buddhism arts,
high value and good in warding-off harms. Thai people regard this particular
amulet as Buddha of success in escaping, protection and being safe from all
dangers and disasters or misfortunes.
Notification points of Phra Rod Wat Mahawan in term of content texture
·Phra Rod is very old with the age over 1,300 years, made from baked
clay which were buried in the ground for a long time until become solid as a
rock.
·Surface skin is wrinkle and dry-out which looks like the oldie’s
skin. Content texture is fine-grained and smooth since amulet made from
filter clay. Neither sand nor gravel is appeared.
·Lines pattern on image body looks sharp, clear and deep.
·From content analysis, Phra Rod made from sacred ground stone
powders, other sacred powders, 108 herbs and flowers, filter clay as cement
substance. Pressing into the mould, to be dried then, baked with highest
temperature until stone powder was melted and welded in the same mixture
with filter clay. This methodology made amulets being tough and durable in
thousand years.
·Faked amulet is made from Rasin or emulsion pressed into 2 layers for
inside and outside, baked in mild temperature then, chemically decorated or
buried in the ground in order to make dust or soil covering on the surface
which imitates the old stain. Anyway, dead spots of faked amulet for
self-checking e.g., surface skin looks tight and oily, soil stain is
unsystematically scattered throughout image body and could be easily removed
out by finger or end of nail or washing, then reveal the real tight surface.
Moulds of Phra Rod, Wat Mahawan
Phra Rod amulets were classified into 5 moulds:- Pim Yai (big), Pim Klang
(middle), Pim Lek(small), Pim Tor(short) and Pim Tuane (shallow).