Pra Somdej Wat Gaes Chaiyo.
The legendary and immortally famous, and sacred Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo amulet, is an amulet that has been recognised internationally on a global scale, as the king of all Thai Amulets, as well as being “the amulet of millionaires“. Created by Somdej Pra Puttajarn (To Prohmrangsi), abbot one of the three great temples, namely Wat Rakang, Wat Bang Khun Porom and Wat Chaiyo. that has been accepted as a standard. The Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo amulet, is Popular, the highest worship at this time.
Origins of the Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo amulet
The Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo are said, to have been found the Buddha image inside the “Phra Maha Buddha Pim”, which is a large Buddha image that Somdej Pra Puttajarn (To) Prohmrangsri, is the creator in Chaiyo Woramahawihan Temple, Ang Thong. This temple is a temple that Chao Prakun Somdej. Built on the land of your eyes to dedicate the charity to the mother and the eyes By bringing the name of the mother “Gaes” and the name of the eye “Chai” together as “Gaes Chaiyo”
Inside the temple, there is a big Buddha image. It is said that Chao Prakhun Somdej built the statue of the temple And created the Pra Somdej, & hid them inside the Kru Hiding Place Chamber of the main Buddha image. It is these inimitably outstanding amulets, which we know to be called the famous ‘Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo’.
“Phra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo” is a muan sarn sacred powder Buddha amulet, that has been recognised as having been created by the great legendary monk, Somdej Pra Puttajarn (To Prohmangsi), abbot of one of the three holy temples famous for his Pra Somdej amulets, namely Wat Rakang, Wat Bang Khun Prohm and Wat Gaes Chaiyo. His Pra Somdej amulets, are considered the King of all Thai Buddhist amulets, & have been accepted as the highest standard of all amulets. Popular, and remaining the highest worshiped amulet of all time, as has always been since their first creation. The Number 1 Pra Somdej amulets of all time, stand uncontested as coming from Somdej Pra Puttajarn (To Prohmrangsi).
The origin of Phra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo is that they were found the within the Buddha statue inside the hiding chamber of the “Pra Maha Buddha Pim”. This is a statue, which is a large Buddha image that Somdej Pra Puttajarn (To) Prohmrangsi, is said to have built, in Chaiyo Woramahawihan Temple, Ang Thong. This temple is a temple that Jao Prakun Somdej. Built in the open air, to dedicate merits to Somdej Toh’s mother and By bringing the name of his mother “Gaes” (with the double-meaning of ‘Gaes’ meaning ’Pra Gaes/Pra Gaes), & the name of the eye “Chai” together as “Gaes Chaiyo”
Inside the temple, there is a big Buddha image. It is said that Jao Prakhun Somdej created the Pra Somdej as he was abbot of the temple, hiding a large number of the Pra Somdej, packed inside the main Buddha image. These classic amulets have now come to be known around the whole wide world as the “Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo” amulet series, and among with the Pra Somdej Wat Rakang Kositaram, & Pra Somdej Wat Bang Khun Prohm, are among the rarest of all amulets to find, and the most expensive!
In the year 2430, there was a new restoration of the temple. The construction caused the Buddha image to shake until it was damaged. The temple received in the royal patronage to be rebuilt until completed in 1891, ready to offer the name “Pra Maha Buddha Pim”, and changed the name of the temple to Wat Chaiyo Worawihan as a royal monastery ever since then.
Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo
The “Phra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo” is a square print, made from the sacred muan sarn powder clay created by “Somdej Pra Puttajarn (To Prohmrangsi)” of Wat Rakang, and is found with 7, 6 and 5 tiered daises.
The amulet is among the rarest of Somdej Toh’s Pra Somdej, has always been, & is still currently, very popular worldwide with high end Amulet collectors.
The Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo is rarely seen these days, but is sometimes seen if there is no Pra Somdej Wat Rakang or Phra Somdej Bang Khun Prohm to be found, aficionados may bring Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo to amulet competitions, to represent the Pra Somdej, as a member of the Benjapakee “top 5” regional amulets, of all history of Thailand.
The Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo, is a now a legendary amulet that was hidden within the Buddha Statue that was built by Somdej Pra Puttajarn Toh, at Wat Gaes Chaiyo, which was yet another statue built in dedication to his mother, and the fact he used to sleep at the temple as a child very often. Somdej Toh was prone to building large Buddha statues (Pra Toh = Big/Large Buddha, ‘Toh’, as in Somdej ‘Toh’), to mark important places and events in his life, throughout his trajectory.
By breaking into the Kru hiding place chamber inside of the “Phra Maha Phuttha Pim”, which is a large Buddha image that Chao Prakun Somdej built in Wat Chaiyo Worawawihan, Ang Thong, creating a large Buddha image in Chaiyo Temple, a large number of Pra Somdej amulets were also found, hidden there when it was built by Somdej Toh.
The giant sleeping Buddha statue at Wat Sadter, is a memorial to remember Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Toh) Prohm Rangsri’s mother, who had already passed away.
He built this, because the mother used to take him as a child, to stay at Chaiyo Subdistrict when he was very young.
Which according to history, Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Toh Prohmangsi) created, as he came down river and stopped to rest at Chaiyo, as the evening fell.
This gave birth to a poetic saying, spoken by devotees throughout the eras, have been heard to say that “Somdej Toh sleeps at Ayutthaya (Phra Non Wat Sadter), he came to sit at Phra Maha Phuttha Pim, at the temple of Get Chaiyo. He stopped at Wat In Bang Khun Prohm for rest, and came to Wat Rakang for Lent”
For the creation of the sacred Phra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo, one can easily see that this series differ somewhat, in style, form, and details, from the Pra Somdej Wat Rakang, And Pra Somdej Bang Khun Prohm series amulets.
There are much more angular, design features, and details, which are clearly visible in the mold of the block press of the Pra Somdej Get Chaiyo series.
The Wat Rakang and Phra Somdej Bang Khun Prohm series amulets, were created mostly (preferred models) by the Chang Sip Moo artisans, many by Chang Luang Wijarn, Luang Wijit, and Luang Sittigarn. these three great artisans, created extremely subtle designs, with delicate beauty. their creations are well known to have a special outstanding set of features that are inimitable, and eternally classic.
However, the inimitably and extremely eye catching features of the Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo series, also has its own different kind of deep beauty, and is also unique to unprecedented levels compared to all other Pra Somdej amulets from other temples .
The Artistic Design of the Phra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo Block Presses
The main unique features spoken of in Thailand in Collector circles, and with aficionados, is “the Mirror frame exterior, (Ok Rong/Ok Wee/Ok Talord central chest groove), the Hoo Bai Sri (angled ears), and Hak Sork (broken elbows)”
These are unique features that the artisan of the ‘Block Mae Pim’ block press has engraved into the detailed relief and specific features of the Buddha (angled ears, split, half split, long or short chest, bowed or angled elbows) for each different block press, surrounding arch, and raised frame edges, which hold each Pim (model) unique and highly distinctive.
Below. Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo Pim 7 Chan, Pim 6 Chan, and the Rare Pim Khaeng Hmorn
Almost every Pim of Pra Somdej Wat Gaes Chaiyo, Wat Rakang and Bang Khun Prohm, are seen to possess their specific features, also depending on which block press from which of the ‘Chang Sip Moo’ artisans the amulets are pressed from. Another obvious part, that distinguishes the Pra Somdej Wat Get Chaiyo amulet, is the “base that supports the Buddha image”.
It can be seen that the base of Pra Somdej Gaes Chaiyo has a number of bases up to 6 or 7 tiered daises, and the rare ‘Pim Khao Buang’ in the most popular models, but it is said, that some ‘Pim Plaek’ (rare strange models), have been found with nine, and even eleven tiered daises, it is believed in some groups. What is for sure, is that there is a.7 tiered Prok Po Bodhi leafed Buddha version, as well as various block presses of both the seven and six tiered daises versions, resulting in a seemingly wide variety of different Pim.
Luang Phu Iam (Wat Hnang)
Luang Phu Iam was a World Famous Master Monk of the previous Century, and maker of the Number 2 Amulet of the Top 5 'Benjapakee' of Pra Pid Ta of all Thai Buddhist History, the Pra Pid Ta Yant Yung. Luang Phu Iam is the No.2 Master of all History, renowned for Pra Pid Ta Amulets, and his Rare and Powerful First Edition Monk Coin, which fetches extremely high prices in auctions.
Pra Pāwanā Gosol Thēra (Luang Phu Iam Suwannasarõ)
Luang Phu Iam was a born on Friday the 7th October 2375 BE. Luang Phu Iam was born a Citizen of Bang Khun Tian, whose household lived on the banks of the Klong Bang Hwa Canal, behind the temple of Wat Hnang. Luang Phu Iam was born during the reign of His Majesty Prabat Somdej Pra Nang Glao Jao Yuu Hua King Rama 3. Luang Phu Iam was given the birthname of ‘Iam’ and his surname was ‘Tong U’. The devotees of Wat Hnang temple did not call him Luang Phu Iam, rather, preferred to call him ‘Luang Por Phu Tao’.
People in General, and the collectors of the amulet appreciation societies like to refer to Luang Phu Iam as ‘Luang Por Wat Hnang’. His father and mother’s names were Mr. Tong, and Mrs. U, with the surname ‘Tong U’. Luang Phu Iam’s family were market gardners, and were relatively prosperous. At the age of 9 years old, Luang Phu Iam was taken to the temple of Wat Hnang, to learn to read and write, and practice Khom Agkhara, under the tutelage of his first mentor, Luang Phu Rod, then Vice Abbot of Wat Hnang.
In the year 2387 BE, Luang Phu Rod then began to teach him Wicha Akom Buddha Magic and also to teach him in the Pali Sanskrit scripts, and the Khom Agkhara used for Magical Inscriptions. At the age of 11, in the year 2386 BE, Luang Phu Iam also went to study Pali Sanskrit with Pra Maha Yim at Wat Bovornives Voraviharn.
After he finished his studies with Pra Maha Yim, Luang Phu Rod then went to practice under the tutelage of Pra Pidok Gosol (Luang Por Chim), at Wat Liab.
Thereafter, he returned to Wat Hnang, and ordained as a Samanera Novice Monk, and studied the Dhamma in his original place of learning at Wat Hnang. Luang Phu spent many years focused on study and practice, for about one decade, until the year 2394 BE.
Luang Phu was now coming of age where he should ordain from Samanera to become full status of an adult Bhikkhu, and had to go to the Royal Sanam Luang to take his Pali Sanskrit exams, which were at that time, done orally, answering in front of the teacher without any written questions to answer. Luang Phu did not pass the test. Because of failing his Pali exam, Luang Phu decided to disrobe and go to help his parents and relatives at home.
But Luang Phu only managed to remain a layman for three years, and his true calling became evident, and Luang Phu returned in the year 2397 BE to Re-Ordain as a Bhikkhu in the Buddha Sasanā at Wat Jom Tong, at the age of 22 years old.
Luang Por Gerd was his Upachaya Ordaining Officer, and gave Luang Phu Iam the Ordained Name of ‘Suwannasaro’
His Pra Gammawājājārn was Pra Tamma Chedi (Luang Por Jeen), with Pra Pawanā Gosol Thēra (Luang Phu Rod) as his Prompting Officer.
Once he had Re-Ordained again, Luang Phu Tao (Luang Phu Iam) went to stay at Wat Nang Nong, which was across the other side of the path to Wat Nang Nong. Here he continued his written studies of the Dhamma and Sorcery Grimoires, and Mastery of various Wicha, in the Samnak of Luang Por Jeen, with supplementary tuition from Pra Sangworn Wimol (Luang Por Hmen).
This time Luang Phu Iam went to finish his exams once more at Sanam Luang, and passed with flying colours. The ordained professor of Pali who was examining him, then said he had given very good translations, and invited Luang Phu Iam to come and practice at the same Samnak.
Luang Phu Iam however, refused, and continued with his usual trajectory. He then focused deeper on his practice of Vipassana Mindfulness Practice, and Puttakom (Buddha Magic) with Luang Phu Rod (who was abbot of Wat Nang Nong).
It can be seen from historical documentation, that Luang Phu Iam followed the footsteps of of Luang Phu Rod, in the same way that Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Dto) Prohmrangsri of Wat Rakang Kositaram had followed in the footsteps of his Mentor Pra Sangkarach (Sukh Gai Thuean). Luang Phu Iam hence mastered the various Wicha of Luang Phu Rod, with his diligence and unquestioning service to Luang Phu Rod as his Mentor.
Sometime around 2440, Luang Phu Rod had his Royal Pat Yos fan confiscated and was stipped of Royal status, and moved from Wat Nang Nong to gp stay at Wat Ko Non. This was because Luang Phu Rod refused to use the official terminology of respect towards King Rama 4, because he was angry about the splitting of the Sangha into Dhammayut, and Maha Nikaya sects, which he considered the King to have caused a schism in the Sangha. Luang Phu Iam and his devotees followed Luang Phu Rod to Wat Ko Non, and Luang Phu Iam continued to practice and continue to practice his Wicha with Luang Phu Rod, for many years.
This comparison is also extendible to the amulets of both Masters, just as Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Dto) Prohmrangsri learned the Wicha Pra Somdej from Somdej pra Sangkarach Sukh (maker of the Pra Somdej Arahang Benjapakee Amulet), so, in turn, did Luang Phu Iam make powerful Pra Pid Ta and Pra Pid Tawarn amulets, in the same Dtamra (formula) of his Mentor Luang Phu Rod.
The third Comparison between the two Monks, reveals that both Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Dto) Prohmrangsri and Luang Phu Iam managed to attain the same fame and reverence as their Mentors, and their amulets became equally reputed for their magical power.
Luang Phu Iam created the same style of imagery as Luang Phu Rod for both kinds of Pid Ta amulets, and his Wicha is so equal in power to that of Luang Phu Rod, that one will often seen devotees collecting the amulets of both masters with equal fervency. It is not uncommon to see a high-end collector wearing a Pra Pid Ta Luang Phu Iam alongside a Pra Pid Ta Luang Phu Rod on the same necklaceใ
Some time after the passing of his Mentor Luang Phu Rod, in the year 2441 BE, Luang Phu Iam was called upon by his Majesty King Prabat Somdej Pra Julajom Glao Jao Yu Hua (Rama 5), to become the abbot of Wat Hnang, and perform the duty of its maintenance and further development.
Luang Phu Iam proved to be a Great Abbot, and diligently restored and developed the temple and its facilities. Luang Phu Iam was a highly favoured Monk of His Majesty King Rama 5, and was more often than not always requested to attend the most important Blessing Ceremonies, and Buddhist Rituals of the Royal Palace. His name 'Pra Pawana Gosol' was bestowed upon him by his Majesty the King, at the time he was given the charge of Wat Hnang temple.
Luang Phu Iam then spent 27 Years working selflessly for the temple and devotees of Wat Hnang, for another 27 years, until his passing on the 26th April 2469 BE, at the age of 94. His Pid Ta Yant Yung metallic amulet is equally highly regarded for its Klaew Klaad Kong Grapan Chadtri Maha Ud power, as the famous Pra Pid Ta Rae Bang Phai, and the Pra Pid Ta Wat Tong, and the Pra Pid Ta Pim Tapap of Wat Sapan Sung.
