Pra Kong Kuang, Roon 4, B.E 2514 (1971)
Needless to introduce,
Wat Paknam amulets are one of the most proven, popular and evergreen amulets
that almost all collectors will keep one in his box. As of current year, B.E
2562 (2019), the temple has issued the batch Roon 9 already.
In the year B.E 2493
(1950) Luang Phor Sodh started creating amulets as gifts for donors who assist
in contribution of the building of a large Dhamma school in Wat Paknam. One who
donated 25 Baht during that time would receive an amulet as gift from his
hand. It was widely recorded that Luang Phor Sodh (B.E 2427 (1884) to B.E
2502 (1959), chanted and concreted Roon Reak to Roon 3 of Pra Kong Kuang (the
Present Buddha) amulets. One of the material Luang Phor Sodh gathered for
making these amulets was chalk powder from his good friend Luang Phor Peung
from Wat Sawang Arom Rat, Suphan Buri.
It was believed that 10
different moulds had been used for the entire production for each batch of
amulets. A total of about 84,000 pieces were made which has a very special
meaning in Theravada Buddhism; "84,000 Dhammakkhandha" (Dhamma
teachings) which is the traditional Theravada description of the complete
Buddha's Teaching. Of course, in the commentaries (atthakatha) it is explained
in this way:
-
Sutta pitaka consists of 21,000 Dhammakkhandhas
-
Vinaya pitaka consists of 21,000 Dhammakkhandhas
&
-
Abhidhamma pitaka consists of 42,000 Dhammakkhandhas
Roon Reak was released
from B.E 2493 (1950). During that era where moulding technique was not perfect and
made by hand, this batch was not consistence in appearance, and some were
“out-of-shape”. The
first batch in B.E 2493, about 40% of the amulets were brushed with lacquer and
60% were unfinished; the second batch in B.E.2494, the same molds as the 1st
batch, all amulets brushed with lacquer; and the third batch were made in B.E 2499
(1955), using both old and new moulds. Because it’s very difficult to
differentiate the lacquer-brushed amulets between the 1st and 2nd batches, so
all lacquer-brushed amulets are assumed as the 1st batch, Roon Reak.
The 4th Batch
or Roon 4 was called the Roon Tummakan Roon See and created by Luang Por Sodh's
disciple Pra Tummatirarah Mahah Munee, the then abbot of Wat Paknam after Luang
Por Sod passed away. Roon 4 was chanted for one rain retreat or Khao Phansa which
is 3 months in B.E 2514 (1971). The amulets were distributed to lay people on
23th October B.E 2515 (1972). By B.E 2527 (1984), this batch of amulets were completely
distributed to devotees after 10 years. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com
The 4th Batch
or Roon 4, is more appealing to collectors due to a few reasons although the
price factor is the primarily consideration.
Other than the basic similar ingredients from previous batches, Roon 4 consisted
of mixed broken or rejected pieces of the Roon 1, 2 and 3. Roon 4 was also
designed to be larger in size compared to earlier Roon 3 where the dimensions
were perfect for daily wearing. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com. Also, another reason was that a significant
advanced in perfecting the mould, after 3 batches, resulted in better detailed forming
in pressing and texture of the final products. All these factors proved to be a
popular choice for both wearers and collectors.
It was also widely believed
by most Thais that earlier batch of Roon 4 released in B.E 2514 (1971) was the
last batch that were blessed and chanted by Luang Phor Sodh. There were later
batch also known as Roon 4 that was released after B.E 2514 (1971).
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