Ajarn Mahatana in Samut Prakan

Ajarn Mahatana in Samut Prakan is a powerful white robe master who specializes in various "Kreng Lang" or non-mainstream amulets dealing with spirits. Above we see the LP Pinak portrait on the altar at his house. According to AJ he has learned the wicha of making certain spirit amulets from LP Pinak, as well as other masters.
The Lersi and Burmese Devas altar. Notice the Mae Per statue on the right.
Having a shot taken with AJ. Behind him is a poster in Chinese advertising his visit to Singapore.
One of his specialities, Khun Pet and Mae Per amulets. There's a big emphasis on Yin and Yang combination for the best effect.
Burmese Devas Nat Hong Tong and Nat Boboyee amulets.

LP Lee of Wat Asokaram

Video clips I took at the temple.
Wat Asokaram is the awe-inspring temple of LP Lee, who is one of the most prominent Forest Ajarns of the previous century. He was famed for his deep insights into the Dhamma and meditation, as well as his ability to teach them to others using various metaphors. Above we see the 13 Chedis of Wat Asokaram, represent the 13 Tudong precepts.
The Grand Vihara.
Shrine to King Asoka the Great. Some believed LP Lee to be King Asoka in his previous existence.
Replica of the King Asoka Pillar.
Reclining Buddha statue carved out of a Mai Takian trunk.
Model Skeleton for Asubha meditation practice.
Chamber containing various artifacts used previously by LP Lee.
Replica statue of Phra Buddha Chinaraj in the main hall.
The golden casket of LP Lee.
Another side chamber venerating the few great Forest Ajarns.
The Relic display.
Closer look at the precious relics of past Arahants.
3" bucha of LP Lee that I chowed.

Ajarn Pijan of Wat Po Pak Hai

Ajarn Pijan of Wat Po Pak Hai in Ayuttaya is another upcoming monk, who is a disciple of LP Thongsuk (deceased). He is in his 40s but gaining popularity in Ayuttaya. Above we see the beautiful Chedi of the temple.
A new batch of wooden Phra Pang Ham Samut (pacifying the ocean) Buddha that have been consecrated in the Ubosot for some naval officers.
The main Buddha image inside the Ubosot.
An old photo of LP Thongsuk with LP Jong Wat Natangnok. He was quite close to LP Jong and learned many things from him.
External view of the Ubosot.
Altar inside the Sala.
The temple counter with Somdej and Pidta amulets.
Taking a shot with AJ Pijan, who gave me a special Metta blessing.
Special pim wooden pidta amulets from AJ Pijan.

HK celebrity Cecilia Chung's Kumanthongs

Recently there was an article in the HK Paparazzi mag "Oriental Sunday", regarding celebrity Cecilia Chung being discovered to have Thai Buddha and Kumanthong buchas venerated in her Yang Ming Shan private apartment. Cecilia (supposedly a Christian), who is pending a divorce and custody battle with husband Nicholas Tse, is said to be "using the evil power of evil gods and little ghosts" to help her defeat her husband in court.
In other words, those reporters are equating Thai Buddhas with "evil gods" and Kumanthongs as "little ghosts". Such deep prejudice really appalling, revealing their complete ignorance and lack of respect for Thai Buddhism. Thai Buddha images and Buddhist art have a long history and are highly prized worldwide for their beauty and elegance. Well casted and consecrated Buddha buchas serve to remind us of the 9 virtues of the enlightened one, possessing the power to purify our minds when we venerate them with a sincere heart. To describe them as "evil gods" is simply mind-bogglingly offensive. As for Kumanthongs, it is also not right to look down on them as "little ghosts" created by black magic. Although long ago Khun Paen did use black magic to transform his unborn child into Kumanthong, modern KMTs are nothing like that. The earliest modern KMT images comes from LP Tae Wat Sam Ngam, who fashioned them from clay. The purpose of inviting child spirits to reside in those clay images is to give them a chance to help people improve their lives, and thus create merit for themselves. Such KMT spirits have taken the 5 precepts under the guru monks who invite them, and will not help the owners to do evil. As such, they are to be respected as little helpers, not feared as if they are demons. I do hope the Buddhist association and communities in HK will file a formal complaint to their government for this offensive article, just like what we did in Singapore with Pastor Rony Tan.

LP Chern of Wat Kok Thong

LP Chern of Wat Kok Thong, Ayuttaya, was one of the top disciples of LP Parn Wat Bangnomkho and LP Jong Wat Natangnok. He was quite a famous guru monk in Ayuttaya until he passed away in 2543. Above we see the temple gate.
The temple counter.
The long row of Salas and kutis.
Various framed up phayants blessed by LP Chern.
Statues of LP Parn and LP Chern.
A life-like wax statue of LP Chern, placed in front of his kuti.
Distant view of the bell tower.
The back entrance.
5" bucha of LP Chern.
Silver divine animal Somdej amulets.
Set of Garuda, Rooster and Rachasi Somdej amulets.

Wat Manicholakan & LP Saeng Chedi

Wat Manicholakan in Lopburi is the temple of LP Dew, an expert in making Phra Prom amulets from the lineage of Ajarn Heng Wat Saket. He learned the wicha from LP See's brother, which also learned directly from Ajarn Heng. Above we see the temple gate.
The main Sala.
LP Dew's kuti.
The white Chedi of the temple.
A shot with LP Dew, who is in his early 50s. LP Dew drawing Yants on the Rian that I chowed.
Rian Phra Prom mass chanted in 2548 by LP Dew.
Billboard telling us the places of interests in Lopburi town. The LP Saeng Chedi is just opposite Wat Manicholakan.
Phra Leela shrine outside the LP Saeng Vihara.
The great Chedi of LP Saeng, who was the teacher of Somdej Toh in meditation. Although LP Saeng was younger than Somdej Toh, he still learned from LP Saeng as he has reached a higher Jhana than him.
The wax statue of LP Saeng in the Vihara.
Statue of Somdej Toh holding scripture.
Photo of LP Jaran with Chao Kun Nuan, who was the former abbot of Wat Manicholakan. This was taken in 2529 (1986) during the opening of the Vihara and consecration of the statue of LP Saeng.
The statue of LP Saeng.
Outer view of the Vihara.