Jatukam of Wat Puthaisawan

On 14.7.2008 I went to Ayuttaya and one of the temples I visited was Wat Puthaisawan. This temple is famous for its Jatukam Shrine. It's perhaps the most famous Jatukam Shrine outside of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Jatukam amulets from this temple continue to command strong recognition despite the fading of the Jatukam craze. Above we see the prominent white Prang Chedi of the temple.
A closer look at the Prang Chedi.
Climbing up, we see this shrine inside the Chedi.
The Vihara beside the Chedi.
A white Buddha statue is venerated within this Vihara.
The Cobra guardian outside the Vihara.
This is the Khmer style Phra Ruang image on another side of the Chedi.

Inside the temple's Ubosot, we see 4 Golden Buddha images as well as a portrait of HM the King when he was ordained.
A statue of Phra Siam Thewathirat, the guardian deity of Thailand was seen in the Ubosot when I went there in Jan 2009.

The doors of the Ubosot are engraved with 2 fierce Yakkha guardians in Anjali (salutation).
A newly built Vihara near the entrance. Beside it was the temple shop.
The fascinating Phra Lek Lai (rare kind of mineral) Buddha in the Vihara.

The heavily decorated main altar of the Jatukam Shrine. Besides different buchas of Jatukam, many other deities are placed on it as well.

The Jatukam Katha taught by this temple:
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Namo Tassa (3x)

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Kah Konom Tawai Sakkara Suriyan Jantra Jansaphanu

Duangtra Song Paendin Siwichai Suwarnaphum

Phaya Si Thamma Sokkaraj

Sip Song Nakasat Duangtra Phaya Rahu

Si Maharaj Pangpagan

Ong Rachandam Tan Por Jatukam Ramathep

Phra Jao Uthong Somdej Phra Naresuan Maharaj

Somdej Phra Ekatsaroj

Somdej Phra Jao Thaksin Maharaj Phra Sayam Thewathiraj.
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This Katha not only invokes Jatukam Ramathep, the 12 zodiac animals, Rahu, Pidta Panpagan as well as famous Kings in Thai history like King Naret, Ekatsarot and Thaksin. The Jao Mae Thoranee (Earth Goddess) shrine in front of the Jatukam shrine. A Kumanthong image is also worshipped beside her.

The Katha of Jow Mae Thoranee:

Namo Tassa (3x)

Tassa Phesi Satho Yakkha Kongkha Sothang Pawattanthi
Narasena Patthi Thatung Asak Gontho Palayingsu
Pathina Nupawena Narasena Parachitha Thiso Thisang
Palayangthi Withang Sethi Asesatho Lor Sathu.

This is the 4cm Jatukam Rian (medal) that I obtained from the temple. It has Ajarn Chod's thumbprint stamped behind. The master of the shrine, Ajarn Chod was quite famous for Jatukam blessing ceremonies as well, despite being a monk. In this respect he was not unlike Luang Nui of Wat Korhong. He was also quite friendly, signing on the Rians that I got and gave me a blessing. However, Ajarn would not have his photo taken, so I did not insist. I wondered what was the reason for it.. perhaps a rule given by his guardian deities?

This is the 3" Jatukam bucha I obtained from Ajarn Chod in Jan 2009.

Travels in Narathiwat - Wat Khao Kong

Well on 16.7.2008 I had finally fulfilled my vow made in 2005 to come and visit Wat Khao Kong in Narathiwat, with the iconic Phra Buddha Thaksin image seated on a hilltop. This place is more like a Buddhist Park rather than a temple. There were no visitors whatsoever except me. Perfectly understandable considering the ongoing insurgency there. As I mused years ago, the Buddha sits ever so calmly on the hill in a gesture of transmitting the Dhamma, unfazed by all the violence taking place in this region.

Climbing up the steps to the Buddha image. Phra Buddha Thaksin was sculpted in the Chiang Saen style of Thai Buddhist art, which could be traced back to the Pala art style of Northern India. This style of art has strong Mahayana influences.

At the base of Phra Buddha Thaksin. The image was first built with concrete, then covered with a layer of golden mosaic tiles. It stands at 24 metres high and 15 metres wide - the largest in Southern Thailand.

This signboard below the altar tells us the Katha to pay homage to Phra Buddha Thaksin. It goes:

Namo Tassa (3x)
Naranarahitang Ewang Naratewehi Poochitang

Naranang Ganapanggehi

Namamisukitang Chinang Gayaputtang (1x).

Looking down from the hilltop. The highway is just outside the gate.

The Ubosot with the Chedi on top. It was built in the shape of an elephant offering a lotus, housing a bell-shaped Chedi of Mahamaya. The relics of the Buddha are enshrined inside.

In front of the Ubosot is this shrine to LP Tuad.

A closer look at the LP Tuad image. It is special in the sense that it shows LP Tuad with 1 hand facing up and the other facing down, both resting on his knees. It looks like the mudra of wish-fulfillment popular in Mahayana Buddhist images. If there was anything to wish for from LP Tuad, it must be for peace returning to this region!

The stairs leading up to the Chedi, guarded by 2 Deva images.

This is the 5-inch Bucha of Phra Buddha Thaksin I obtained from the temple, made of black bronze material. Does it resemble the original one? I like it a lot as I have some affinity with this Buddha. With that, I concluded that day's journey and went back to Hadyai.

Travels in Narathiwat - Wat Mai Naparam

The journey from Hadyai to Wat Mai Naparam in Narathiwat took almost 4 hrs by car. It was very far, near to the Kelantan border. On the way there were little people and vehicles seen on the road. It was almost like a deserted area after years of unrest. Above we see the gate of the temple, which was ornately decorated with images of Phra Pidta, Sangkachai, Buddha and other deities. Wat Mai is the temple of the famous LP Dum, an expert on making prized Pidtas amulets with powers of invulnerability.

The Ubosot of Wat Mai.

Outside the Ubosot we see this bronze gong carried by 2 human statues. On the gong was inscribed the Chinese words "Ever-turning Wheel of Dharma". This was donated by LP Dum's many Chinese followers in Kelantan.

Another Ubosot. Quite rare to see a temple with 2 Ubosots. Wat Mai must be quite rich.

A view of the bell tower and the 2nd Ubosot.

The Vihara that worships the Buddha, 3 of LP Dum's masters (including LP Kron aka Tok Raja) as well as many other deities. I think it must be clarified that LP Dum is not LP Kron's direct disciple. He learned the art of making protective amulets from another master. On the right we see an image of the Earth deity, curiously being robed in a police uniform.

An ancient chunk of "Mai Takian" wooden log on the left side of the Vihara, believed to have magical properties. The signboard says this Mai Takian is already 1,200 yrs old!

LP Dum's kuti. Unfortunately, that day was 1 day before Khao Phansa (16.7.2008) and LP Dum had left to look for other monks to stay in the temple during the rains retreat. All the good stuff were locked inside his kuti and nobody else had the key except LP Dum. Not knowing when he would be back, we (me and my driver) had our lunch and hung around for an hour, but to no avail.

The peahens reared by LP Dum in a big cage behind his kuti. It was disappointing as I had made a wasted trip there, neither seeing LP Dum nor getting any of his stuff. Later when I got back to Singapore, I learned that he had gone to Bangkok after a few days in the temple. I was also advised to call him before I go the next time to confirm he would be in. Otherwise I might very well be frustrated again.. I'll surely remember that by heart after this lesson learnt.

Travels in Pattani - Wat Sampowchey

On 16.7.2008, I was on the way to Narathiwat and passed by Wat Sampowchey in Pattani, so I decided to go in to take a look. This is the temple of the famous LP Thong (not the same as LP Thong in Songkhla), who is honored by even the royal family in Bangkok for his achievements in Buddhism. Above we see the Ubosot. There was a whole platoon of soldiers stationed inside the temple as it is located in Panare, more dangerous district of Pattani. They gave me curious looks as I toured around the temple.

A shrine to Phra Buddha Toh Hak, the principal Buddha image of this district.

The yet to be completed Chedi. LP Thong has been gathering funds for the past 3 years to build the Chedi, but progress has been slow due to the unrest.

The Sala with the odd ox-headed deity painted on the roof.

Inside the Sala.

In the Vihara where they keep the good stuff, we can see many interesting pictures of LP Thong. On the right we see him receiving a ceremonial fan from Somdej Kiaw, the acting Sangharaj.
A LP Tuad nickel rian (medal) that I obtained from the temple. This piece is part of the batch to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Wat Sampowchey in 2537 (1994). Some readers ask me why I don't show a LP Tuad bucha from the temple, as I like to do. Well the reason is that there are no LP Tuad buchas available for chow in the temple!
As I was about to leave, I managed to catch LP Thong coming out of his kuti to take his midday meal. There were many soldiers to keep him company as you can see. Now he no longer meets visitors to bless them as he is getting quite old and frail. So I was lucky to be able to see him and take a picture. After saluting LP Thong from a distance, I continued on my journey to Narathiwat.

The Karmapa's 3 million HK dollar blessing

The Dhammapada says:

"Sons have I, wealth have I",
thus the fool is fretful.
He himself is not his own,
how then are sons and wealth?

On 26.7.2008 there was a report in the Chinese papers saying that HH the Karmapa went to the hotel where the newly wed HK celebrities Tony Leung and Carina Lau were staying, in order to "bless" them with a son. It wrote that the "blessing" took 21 hrs, or in other words he resided in the 5-star Radisson Delhi hotel in New Delhi for that amount of time. At first I was suspicious of the story, but later it turned out that what the paparazzi reported about the Karmapa visiting Tony and Carina was true. Above is the posh 5-star Radisson Delhi hotel where they met up.
The Karmapa arriving at the hotel amidst heavy security. Dozens of plainclothes officers were protecting his holiness. It was verified that he went there on 24.7.2008 to perform a special blessing for the HK celebrity couple. Reports say that Carina Lau spent 3 million HK dollars to invite the Karmapa to do the blessing for them. Other than for official duties, HH the Karmapa very seldom left his monastery in Dharamsala; but it would appear that the couple's 3 million worth of sincerity "moved" his holiness to personally come all the way to Delhi to see these 2 faithful patrons. Some followers say that he was in Delhi for medical check-ups and just happened to drop by. Whatever's the case, it is not good to have Dharma and sincerity linked with large sums of money.
The Karmapa led the blessing puja to fulfill the couple's wish to have a son. This event proves that the rich and famous do enjoy more privileges - including favors from enlightened beings, no less. Or is that really the case? Should we admire Tony and Carina's good karma? Or should we rejoice in his holiness' special compassion for these 2 HK stars?

Carina wears a Mala on her left wrist, a token of appreciation from the Karmapa, whereas Tony sports a holy yellow string on his wrist. In their car also hangs a 5-colored lucky charm. Such good stuff they got! I wonder if I could get the same stuff for 3 million? But I doubt so since I'm a nobody with little money, hehe.. Still, who are Tony and Carina, that the Karmapa needs to go to the hotel personally to see them? They may be famous in Asia, very important to their fans and the news-chasing paparazzi, but they are merely ordinary beings. I think it should be they who must go seek the Karmapa's wisdom, not the other way around.

Spotted in Carina's luggage by reporters - wrapped up gifts of Thangkas, said to be those of Green Tara. The couple flew back to HK on 26.7.2008. Some believe Tara to be the fulfiller of wishes, so in this case it would probably help Carina to pray to her if she wanted a son. In the ideal world all beings are equal in the Dharma, but in the real world, some beings are still more equal than others, just like in Orwell's Animal Farm. I only hope that Tony and Carina will put their "superior equality" to good use, for the benefit of less equal beings. Otherwise it will all come to nothing in the end as that is the nature of all worldy merit.