Phra Rod 化险为夷佛
The Thai people regard this particular amulet as Buddha of Escape, meaning the wearer would be
able to escape or avoid from all kind of dangers or misfortunes. These are the oldest amulets
ever found and
they are made of clay, the oldest could be dated to about 1,000 years old. The best and
most expensive piece are
from Wat Mahawan in Lamphun.
Phra ThungSedthee
富贵佛
This is sometimes called
Buddha of Fortune. It was said that when these
amulets were found, an inscription
" Poverty will never falls on those
who possesses this amulet " was found written in the chedi. It actually comprises
of 2 different kinds of amulets, Phra Leela, the walking Buddha in an oblong
shape like a jackfruit seed and Phra SoomKor in semi round shape, both from
an area called ThungSedthee which means land of millionaires in Khamphaengphet province.
Phra Soomkor normally comes in the form of a thumb nail
shape, or sometimes in round shape which Thai people called cake. The Buddha
image seems to have a mixture of Sukothai style and Sri Lankan style.
They are estimated to be made some 600 years ago. Now a days,
Phra Soomkor has gained
more popularity over Phra Leela as it was smaller and
easier to wear than Phra Leela when wearing a full set of
BenjaParkee.
Phra Phong Suphan 吉祥佛 （素攀）
It comes in triangular shape with Buddha seated in "Manvichai"
posture. The protruding chest is the most prominent feature of this clay
amulet. It has strong "U-thong" style influence. The
Thai people believe it could bring good luck and wealth as the chest of the
Buddha image is the largest among the rest. Another unique feature of
this fine amulet, is that if you turn the amulet around, you will be
surprise to find the imprint of thumb that was left by the artist who made it.
They are from Chedi of Wat Mahathad in Suphanburi province and
estimated to have a history of about 500-600 years too.
Phra Nang Phaya 慈悲佛（皇太后御制）
This is a pyramid shaped clay amulet of a seated Buddha with slightly
oversized head, broad and straight shoulders, seated with right hand touching the
ground in victory or in as hand posture of subduing demon. They are from chedis
in Pitsanulok Province, the major findings are from Wat Nang
Phaya where the name speaks for itself, . It was claimed that they were made by Queen
Visutkasatri, wife of King Mahadharmaraja, mother of Great King
Naresuan some 500
years ago, as some of the similar amulets were discovered from Wat Rajburana
next to Wat Nang Phaya
which the Queen has repaired during her reign. The wearers claimed it also provide them with
great fortune and
metta (compassion, loving kindness), especially for male who wear it.
Phra Somdej
頌德/尊者大智佛
Unlike the rest it was made from various powder combined with shell,
lime, oil and other special ingredients. Although this is the youngest
amulet among the BenjaParkee set, yet it commands the highest price and the
most expensive pieces are from Wat Rakang. A beautiful piece in perfect
condition could easily reach more than S$ one million. They are very much
sought after by politicians, bankers,
supreme ranking officials, generals, entrepreneurs and celebrities.
Since they are rare, expensive and highly in demand, fake ones have flooded
the market.
It is believed that Phra Somdej could bring good luck, confidence, justice,
intelligence and success to the wearer.
Phra Somdej were made and consecrated by Somdej Phra BuddhaJahn Toh
Prommarangsi some 140 years ago, he made them specially for 3 temples, Wat ChaiYo Woraviharn,
Wat Rakang Kositaram and Wat Mai Amataros. Phra Somdej Keat ChaiYo was the first to
be made. They were made during King Rama IV period, they were either given away or hidden in the chedi of
Wat
ChaiYo Woraviharn in AngThong. It is believed that they were made as a
merit devoted to his mother and grandfather, as his mother's hometown is near Wat Chaiyo and her maiden name was
Keat. Chai was his grandfather's name.
Hence
the amulet is called Phra Somdej KeatChaiYo. Phra Somdej Wat Rakang
was made when Somdej Toh became abbot of Wat Rakang during King Rama V period.
When Somdej Toh became the abbot of Wat Intarawihan during his final years, he made
his last batch of amulets and buried them in a big chedi in Wat Mai
Amataros which was during that time only a walking distance from Wat In.
This last batch of amulets was called Phra Somdej BangKhunProm as both temples were situated in
the area of BangKhunProm .