Bia Gae Cowry Shell Animist Charm with Turtle Casing from the Great Luang Phu Kam, of Wat Po Bplam
A very rare and beautiful example of the turtle shape encased version of the Bia Gae Aathan, of the Great Luang Phu Kam, of Wat Po Bplam. The Bia Gae of Luang Phu Kam of Wat Po Bplam, in Ang Tong Province, is counted as one of the five ‘Benjapakee’ Bia Gae of all time, along with the other 4 being the Bia Gae of LP Rod (Wat Nai Roeng), LP Bun (Wat Klang Bang Gaew), Luang Por Perm (Wat Klang Bang Kaew) and Luang Por Pak (Wat Bote). It is believed by devotees, that the Bia Gae of Luang Phu Kam, have immense power to ward off demons, ghosts and evil eye spells, as well as dissovle curses, and protect against poisonous beasts, and jungle fevers. They are said to also possess Maha Ud Gunstopper magic, and Metta Maha Niyom Mercy Charm, that recalls good luck into one’s life. This particular exhibit is encased within the form of the Paya Tao Ruean Turtle
In the early era of his Bia Gae making, Luang Phu Kam would be able to get his ‘Bia’ cowrie shells from the local area around the temple, but after the year 2493 BE, as his Bia Gae became increasingly famous and renowned for their power, it became necessary to send devotees to places by the ocean, in order to find enough cowrie shells to satisfy the needs of devotees. As to the Channaroeng and Krang Pastes used to seal the Bia Gae, it was taken from stingless beesnests found in the forest. or taken from Jom Pluak giant termite nests which were found in the vicinity around the temple.
As the needs of devotees rose, there was not enough Muan Sarn available from these sources of magical ingredients, and Luang Phu Kam was forced to have to seek farther afield for the sacred ingredients necessary to continue making Bia Gae amulets in the numbers needed for his devotees.
The Bia Gae of Luang Phu Kam differ from those of other masters in their making method; Luang Pu Kam would smelt sacred leaden alloy in a pot until it liquified, and then pour it into the interior of bamboo sticks about one foot in length. The bamboo was then sealed with simple cloth, and the bamboo was quicly shaken and agitated. This would cause the cooling leaden sacred alloy to form into small pellets. These leaden pellets were then used to ‘feed’ the Parort Mercurial Metal. This caused the Mercury to make a different sound when shaking the Bia Gae, more like a rattle than a soft ‘thud’ from the mercury sliding around within interior of the Bia shell.
Luang Phu Kam would then take the Mercurial Alchemical substance and use Incantations to make the Parort Mercurial alloy flow into the Bia Gae shells. To do this, he would place the Bia Gae on a large tray, and use Ya Kaa grass to beat the tray whilst chanting Kata incantations, until the Parort Mercury would flow into the Bia shells of their own accord. Then they would be sealed with Chanaroeng, and a Takrut foil with Khom Agkhara inscriptions.
There are some special models, enclosed within a metallic casing, some oval with decorative borders, others shaped like a turtle. Very few special models (Dtua Kroo) were made, whereas most of them would be left bare, or cord wrapped with the shell poking out visibly. In the case of his Bia Gae that are not enclosed within metallic frames, the copper Takrut Tong Daeng is visibly affixed to the Channaroeng Paste which closes the mouth of the Bia shell. It is said that some devotees once removed the Parort Mercury, and that it was seen to glow with an aura, like neon light.
Once Luang Phu had finished the creation and primary empowerment process, he would take the Bia Gae into his Kuti hut and perform further solo empowerments in privacy.One can recognize the early, mid and later eras of Bia Gae, from the difference in Channaroeng paste found in the seal of the BIa.
Early era amulets will have Channaroeng paste from the stingless bee or the giant termite nests around the temple. Mid era ramulets have Channaroeng paste with Ya Ruea, a herbal paste often used by fishermen and sailors to seal their wooden boats against leakage with. The third and later era, is seen to be made from Ya Ruea mixed with Pong Ittijae Yantra powders.
Devotees would often take the Bia Gae of Luang Phu Kam to be specially framed at an artisan, and framed with gold, silver or other brazen metal type frames. The Artisans would always stamp the enclosure of the Bia Gae frame with the Thai letters ‘Hor Mor Ngor’ (หมง), or sometimes the word ‘Kam’ (คำ), or ‘Heng’ (เฮง). In the case of exhibits which have the word ‘Heng’ stamped on the frame, this was the name of the Artisan. In the case of exhibits that have the letters ‘Hor Mor Ngor’ (หมง), this was and still is the code stamp of the firm of the Hor Mor Ngor Artisans, who to this day still use the same Hor Mor Ngor stamp to encase amulets with custom metal frames.
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ABOUT PAYA TAO RUEAN
The Paya Tao Ruean, as far as amulets are concerned, is associated with the powers of luck, long life, good health, good fortune , kong grapan and klaew klaad. Long life is insinuated due to the long lifespan of the Turtle. Metta, because of the Turtle’s pleasant and non-agressive disposition. The Tao Ruean Magic imbues the elemental qualities of both Water and Earth, due to the amphibian reptilian nature of this creature. The Paya Tao Ruean Turtle is indeed a significant part of Thai folklore and Buddhist beliefs. The turtle is considered sacred and holds a special place in Thai culture. While I cannot confirm every detail of the story you mentioned, I can provide information based on the general understanding of the Tao Ruean Turtle in Thai mythology and Buddhism. The Tao Ruean Turtle is believed to be an embodiment of Lord Buddha in one of his past lives. According to the story you mentioned from the ‘Ha Roi Chati’ (500 Lives of Buddha), the turtle lived on a desert island atop a mountain, where he dedicated his life to practicing purity and morality.
In the tale, when sailors were shipwrecked on the turtle’s island and faced starvation, they resorted to desperate measures, including attempting to eat inedible Areca nuts. Eventually, they turned to cannibalism, with one of them dying and the others contemplating killing each other for survival. Moved by compassion, the Tao Ruean Turtle decided to sacrifice himself by offering his own body as food to save the starving sailors. His act of selflessness and mercy is considered a profound demonstration of the Buddhist virtue of compassion. The turtle’s noble deed allowed the sailors to safely return to port and survive. As a gesture of gratitude and reverence, people began creating replicas of turtles, either made from clay, metal, or carved from wood, to serve as objects of worship and remembrance. These turtle representations are often placed in homes, temples, or sacred spaces as a way to pay respect to the Tao Ruean Turtle and to remind individuals to cultivate compassion and uphold moral values. They are also believed to provide protection from dangers and bring blessings such as long life.
The story of the Paya Tao Ruean Turtle exemplifies the Buddhist teachings of compassion, selflessness, and the potential for spiritual growth and enlightenment through virtuous actions. It has become an integral part of Thai cultural and religious traditions, inspiring people to emulate the turtle’s virtues in their own lives.
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Ancient Amulet - Thai Buddhist Pra Niyom ('Pra Niyom'; meaning 'High End Preferred Class Antique amulets') Fine Authentic Amulets from the Great Thai Buddhist Sorcerer Monks, Lersi Ascetics, and Lay Masters of Olden Days
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