Pra Pilan Wat Rakang Sacred Amulets of LP Pilan & Somdej Dto Prohmrangsi

The Legend and Pantheon of the Famous Pra Pilan Amulets, Their Makers, and a study of Muan Sarn, the various block presses (Pim) and other authentication factors

The Pra Pilan amulet (Votive Tablets), of Somdej Pra Puttajarn Tat (Pra Palad Pilan), Abbot in standing of the Great Temple of  Wat Rakang Kositaram (Standing in for  Somdej Dto Prohmrangsri, who was now old, tired, and approaching his death), is yet another immortally famous ancient amulet that is of immense historical and religious importance.

Before we take a look at this world famously esteemed historical collection of amulets, we should take a look into the documented history of its making, its makers, and thereafter, have a look at the various Pim (models) of Pra Pilan, the Muan Sarn Sacred  Powders, & the methods, and ingredients used to make and empower them

• ‘Somdej Hmom Jao Tat’ (Luang Por Pilan), was born in the year 2364 BE, during the reign of his Majesty King Rama 2, and was the son a a family of regal courtiers within the Royal Palace (Wang Hlang), itself.
• LP Pilan was ordained at Wat Pra Sri Radtana Sasadaram (Wat Pra Gaew temple of the Emerald Buddha), in the year 2385 BE.
• Somdej Pra Sangkarach, the Head Royal Monk of the Thai Sangha performed the Ordinaton, as his Upachaya Ordaining Officer.

• Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Dto), who was the Abbot of Wat Rakang at the time, Was his Pra Gammawajajarn Prompting Officer. Once LP Pilan was ordained, he moved, and stayed with Somdej Pra Puttajarn Dto at Wat Rakang, at the side of his Kroo Ba Ajarn.
• This of course, led to Luang Por Pilan becoming the closest first apprentice to Somdej Dto in this period of Somdej Dto’s Life, which was coming towards his twilight years, and he needed to pass on his Wicha to a successor.
• Luang Por Pilan embodied this expectation, and so he received the Wicha Pong Lob, secrets of making the 5 Sacred Powders of Somdej Dto used in the World Famous No 1 King of All amulets of the Benjapakee family, the Pra Somdej Votive Tablet.

Pra Luang Por Pilan, was Ex Abbot of Wat Rakang Kositaram and Prime Apprentice of Somdej Pra Puttajarn Dto (Wat Rakang Kositaram). Originator and collaborator with Somdej Dto for the making of the Immortally Famous Pra Pilan amulets.

• In the year 2404 Pra LP Pilan was elevated to the status of ‘Prinya Jet’ in Pra Pariyattitam Dhamma Studies, which is the 7th of a total of 9 levels of academic prowess, and understanding in teaching and expounding the Dhamma.
• In the year 2407 BE, Luang Por Pilan received his officially Royal Bestowed title of Pra Kroo Pilan, with Royal Recognition of his Merits.
• In the Year 2413 BE, LP Pilan became the Abbot of Wat Rakang, due to the fact that Somdej Dto himself was becoming very old and frail, and so the honor of overseeing the many duties of running the temple were given to Pra Luang Por Pilan, which was of course, a mark of honor to be chosen for this task.
• In the year 2435, he was bestowed the Title of Pra Racha Kana (Bishop), and was given the duty of overseeing the temple of Wat Po Ta Tian (or; ‘Wat Chetupon Wimongkaram’), a temple that is in itself world famous, for its rare and powerful Pra Pid Ta Pong Graduk Phii amulets)
• Luang Por Pilan administrated the temple of Wat Chetupon Wimongkaram (Wat Po Ta Tian) up to his passing in 2443 BE

The Pra Pilan  Wat Rakang series of amulets, enjoy worldwide popularity, for the Stoic Belief in the Metta Mahaniyom, Kong Grapan powers, which they have acquired over the many many years of their existence.

Pra Pilan Origins

There are two different schools of belief as to when exactly the amulets were made, with some adhering to the belief they were made in the years between 2407 BE, with the second group believe the amulets to have been made in 2415 BE. This is a small but often discussed point of contention, which is where some people believe in the presence of Somdej Pra Puttajarn Dto in the blessing, and others, believe only Luang Por Pilan released them in 2415, in Memorial of his Kroo Ba Ajarn’s passing away. But both schools believe steadfastly, that the powders within the amulets are of both Luang Por Pilan, and posses those of Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Dto) Prohmrangsri. This is logical, as all Masters donate some of their own Muan Sarn Sacred Powders to their apprentices.

Below: Somdej Pilan Pim Prok Po Yai, in Nuea Bailan

It is however, despite differing schools of thought, when using logic, almost certain, that they were made in 2407 BE, during the same year LP Pilan was elevated in status to ‘Pra Racha Pilan’, which is obvious reason for celebration with an edition of amulets, and which has always been ubiquitously expected by Thai Buddhist Devotees.

Below; Somdej Pra Pilan Nuea Bailan Pim Plew Plerng Lek

This is important to note, for at that time, Somdej Dto, the Great Master of Wat Rakang, was still alive, and this would mean, that he almost certainly would have joined in the making of the edition, with his blessings and empowerment, but not being the design originator, nor doing the hard work of pressing and mixing the clay himself.

The fact that most people. hold it for certain that the Pra Somdej Pilan series amulets were blessed by both Somdej Dto, and Luang Por Pilan, is something that has made this Pantheon considered part of the Pantheon of amulets of Wat Rakang.

It is an amulet that is not difficult to recognise and feel confident about, for it was never remade as a Yorn Yuk replica edition,  and is very well documented from the official records. Forgeries have not yet managed to replicate the authentic amulet in the slightest, making them also popular for intermediate students, and devout followers of Somdej Dto Amulets Pra Pilan, and the Temple of Wat Rakang.

Below; Somdej Pilan Pim Sum Pratoo on front cover of an Official Documentation of Pra Pilan Amulets

As for Museum Curators of this line of amulets, not much need be said, for it is obvious, that they are an essential rarity for anyone who keeps a personal  Thai Buddhist amulet museum curated.

The Pra Somdej Pilan is regarded hence as a priceless treasure, that will one day only be seen in private and public museums, and perhaps on the neck-chain of the very occasional lucky person who inherited one from their ancestors.

Below; Somdej Pra Pilan Pim Pathoma Tesana Jiw Nuea Khaw Mai Fang Kru (not placed in burial chamber)

It is said to be a relatively easy amulet for intermediate students to study and learn from, and that there are numerous models (around 20 known, each with different sizes, and found in at least three different temples).

The fact there are numerous models, each with its own level of ‘hard to find’, depending on which model, as well as the fact, that the amulets were found in different temples at different times, resulting in being able to find them at various differing price ranges, from low to high.

The most well-known and hence also popular models of the alleged over twenty made, are the Pim Pathoma Tesana, Pim Prok Po (Niyom), Pim Hyod Bpaeng, Pim Pid Ta Pim Somdej Jiw, Pim Sum, Pim Sum Pratu, Pim Lila, Pim Krob Gaew, Pim Panom Mer, Pim Mokalla, and the Pim Plew Plerng. Most models were made in large and small versions.

The Pra Pilan, is hence seen as the number one alternative to the immensely rare, and extremely expensive n, which were directly made and released by Somdej Pra Puttajarn (Dto) Prohmrangsri of War Rakang Kositaram. This is because they are still sometimes findable.

Although that is something that began to be spoken already 40 years ago, so, in truth, the Pra Pilan amulets, are now almost as rare as the Pra Somdej Wat Rakang, as we progress through the the 21st Century.

Below; Somdej PIlan Pim Pathoma Tesana Nuea Bailan (Fang Kru – placed in burial)

The Pra Pilan Wat Rakang amulets, are snow truly becoming at least as difficult to find as the Pra Somdej Wat Rakang these days, making them a highly recommendable amulet to collect. This is of course, to evade the impossibility of finding one later, as well as to possess such a sacred amulet of world fame, renowned for its sacred powers.

Below; Pra Somdej Pilan Sum Pratu Pim Yai Fang Kru

In addition, the amulets are seen in Thailand by many (such as ourselves as devotees, and high end showroom collectors , speculators, and curators), as a high return method of asset division. This is because, to possess a Pra Pilan Wat Rakang Kositaram, is to possess something that increases in inherent value as time passes, and rarity increases, and whose price rises at a much faster rate (if look at a ten year period), than many other material assets, even Gold.

Below; Somdej Pra Pilan Various Pim Yai; (Pim Mokkhalla Samati, Pim Mokkhalla Panom Mer, Pim Prok Po Yai Krob Gaew

The world population has increased so much the last half century, that it has made even editions that were made in numbers of 84,000, deplete and disappear from Public view in a matter of a few years. This has increased the rarity and value of Ancient Master-Class amulets immensely over the last few decades.

Wat Rakang Kositaram, is an ancient temple built in the late Ayuttaya period as Bangkok became the new capital of Siam, and was at first called ‘Wat Bang Hwa Yai’. Later, during the Ratanakosin Era, in the time of his Majesty Pra Putta Jao Yord Fa Jula Loke, the first King of the Chakri Dynasty, foundations were dug for the building of a shrine-room, intended to keep the Tipitaka Buddhist Canon Parchments.

As the dig began, they found a giant sized brass bell under the earth. It had an extremely loud sound when struck. The bell was taken to the temple of Wat Pra Sri Radtana Sasadaram (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Royal Palace).

From this point onwards, Thai Buddhists began to call the temple of Wat Bang Hwa, ‘Wat Rakang’, meaning ‘Temple of the Bell’. Eventually this became so commonplace, that the temple was officially renamed as Wat Rakang Kositaram.

Wat Rakang Kositaram, is an ancient temple built in the late Ayuttaya period as Bangkok became the new capital of Siam, and was at first called ‘Wat Bang Hwa Yai’. Later, during the Ratanakosin Era, in the time of his Majesty Pra Putta Jao Yord Fa Jula Loke, the first King of the Chakri Dynasty, foundations were dug for the building of a shrine-room to keep the Tipitaka Buddhist Canon Parchments.

Below; Pra Pilan Pim Pid Ta Yai Nuea Bailan Fang Kru (buried in Stupa chamber)

As the dig began, they found a giant sized brass bell under the earth.The bell was very ancient, and the discovery soon came to the attention of the Royal Palace.

It had an extremely loud sound when struck. The bell was eventually taken to reside at the Royal temple of Wat Pra Sri Radtana Sasadaram (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in the Royal Palace). From this point onwards, Thai Buddhists began to call the temple of Wat Bang Hwa, ‘Wat Rakang’, meaning ‘Temple of the Bell’. Eventually this became so commonplace, that the temple was officially renamed as Wat Rakang Kositaram.

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