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The tiger is the most magnificent animal in the cat family.
Asians have always had a high respect for this majestic, powerful,
fearsome and yet beautiful cat. Hence it is an icon of authority,
strength, courage and fearlessness. "Khiao Seua"
in
Thai language is translated as Khiao
tooth and
Seua tiger and therefore Khiao Seua means tiger's tooth.
In the terminology of Thai amulets and talismans, Khiao Seua
is also commonly understood as figure of a tiger regardless of what
material it is made of. The material of making a Khiao Seua
could be tiger's tooth, bear's tooth, ivory, task from other
animals, wood and even metal. However, the most popular and
expensive pieces are carved from real tiger's tooth. The top maker
of this talisman is no other than Luang Phor Bann of Wat Bangheah and his top
student Luang Phor Nok of Wat Sankasi. Other great masters who do not specialise in making
Khiao Seua but their Khiao Seua are also highly sought after are :
1. Luang Phor Heng of Wat KhaoDin who was the teacher of
Luang Phor Derm, Nakhon Sawan
2. Luang Phor Derm of Wat Nong Po, Nakhon Sawan
3. ACharn HengPlyWan of Ayuthaya
4. Luang Phor Boon of Wat Klang BanKaeo, Nakhon Pathom
5. Luang Phor Mee of Wat KhaoSamoKhon, Lopburi
Luang Phor Bann was born in 1825
in the reign of King Rama III. During the era of King Rama V, he
was the abbot of Wat BangHeah at Samut Prakan province. The name of the
temple was subsequently changed to Wat KlongDan when the area was
renamed KlongDan and finally renamed Wat MongkonKotawas by King Rama V. It
was believed that one day, King Rama V went to visit Luang Phor Bann to discuss about how to solve the flood problem in that area and he
stayed at his temple. Luang Phor Bann felt honoured and wanted to give
some Khiao Seua
as a special gift to the king. He asked a young boy named Bok to bring
them
along on a chanting plate to the place where the king was resting. While approaching the
place, the young
boy toppled against an obstruction and lost his balance. As a result,
some of the Khiao Seuas dropped to the ground and were lost in
the bushes. The boy panicked and quickly dashed to Luang Phor Bann who immediately instructed him to look for a piece of meat
and poked it through with a stick. He chanted the meat and instructed the
boy to sweep it around the bush as though sweeping the floor.
After that the stick with the meat was placed on the chanting plate
where the Khiao Seuas were missing. Within minutes,
the plate was filled with Khiao Seuas that were missing.
King Rama V who witnessed the whole incident and was very delighted and
personally told Luang Phor Bann that he was deeply
impressed.
 When I visited the temple in
28th Oct 2003 to make further enquires, I was
told that when Luang Phor Bann's old residence was engulfed by fire,
nothing had survived. Even the huge Buddha statue was melted to
the ground.
Amazingly, the bronze statue of Luang Phor Bann which was made during
his life time escaped the fire and remained perfectly intact. This
is why Luang Phor Bann has become an icon of Samut Prakan Province and
his temple became a household name. I
was fortunate to be able to view the actual statue (pic on the left) during that visit as the statue is
only shown to public for worship twice a year on 29th Aug and 28th Oct.
Now a new hall is already constructed on the site where Luang Phor Bann's blazed
residence once stood.
Luang Phor Bann's Khiao Seua are normally categorized into 2 major
categories:
1. Opened mouth
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2. Closed mouth
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Luang Phor Bann's Khiao Seuas are believed to enhance the wearer's
confidence, courage, determination and protection, especially from what
the Chinese called "xiaoren" or backstabbers . It also wards off evil forces
and brings in good business.
Luang Phor Bann attained Pari Nirvana at the age of 86 in
28th Aug 1911(B.E.2453) |
