Tuesday, December 24, 2019

FEATURE: Luang Phu Wean, Wat DoiMaePung, Chiang Mai. Rian Rao Suu. B.E 2520 (1977).


Luang Phu Wean, Wat DoiMaePung, Chiang Mai.
Rian Rao Suu. B.E 2520 (1977).

Luang Phu Waen Sujinno was born on the 16th February B.E 2430 (1887) in Tambon Na Pong, Muang District of Loei Province to a blacksmith's family. He studied with several teachers and later ordained as a monk at a temple in Hua Tapam district of Ubon Ratchathani at the age of 21. Amongst the teachers he studied with, one of them was Ajarn Mun Bhuridatta Thera in Udon Thani. Luang Phu travelled widely in the Northeast of Thailand in search of isolated places where he could meditate. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com His travels took him to Bangkok where he met Chao Khun Phra Upali Gunupamacariya of Wat Bovoranives where he spent several years studying and practising the Dhamma. Later, Chao Khun Phra Upali took him to Wat Chedi Luang in Chiangmai where Luang Phu Waen decided to make a switch from the Maha Nikaya sect of the Theravada Buddhism to the stricter Dhammayutika Nikaya sect.


Luang Phor Waen travelled extensively by foot through thick jungles and remote mountains and even ventured into Myanmar and India where he paid homage at several historic sacred Buddhist sites. In the year B.E 2538 (1995), because of a foot injury Luang Phu Waen stayed in Wat Doi Mae Pung permanently. Wat Doi Mae Pung then became the residence of Luang Phor Waen until his passing away in B.E 2528 (1985) at age of 98. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com

As there was no record of this Somdej was made but it was believed that a limited number of Phra Somdel RatSaMee was made as it is not easy to find in the current market.  The material of this amulet is Neua Din mixed with ashes of the burnt Bilan and Neua Din (earth). Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com This amulet was moulded using stone mould from Luang Phu Thim, as the rays are featured with sharp clear edges. The back of the amulet is smooth with Luang Phor Sakorn hand-written Yant Phra Jao Ha Phra Ohng Namo Phuthaya Ma AWu. As we know, during the later years, he hardly had the opportunity to scribe yant on amulets.

This "Phra Somdej Rasami Roon Reak" is rare and was mentioned in the temple publication that a very small unknown numbers being made and consecrated. Collectors should be conscious and aware of the mould details, material content due to aging and lastly Luang Phor’s handwriting. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com
Back in B.E 2516 (1973), Thailand was under constant threat from the border by the raids conducted by Vietnamese due to the on-going Cambodian–Vietnamese War, which was continued from the United States’ Indochina war in Vietnam. Thailand and Vietnam faced off across the Thai-Cambodian border with frequent Vietnamese army incursions and shelling into Thai territory throughout the 1980s in pursuit of Cambodian guerrillas, based within Thai borders, who kept attacking Vietnamese occupation forces.

In early March B.E 2520 (1977), Phra Khru Wibunsilawong (Phra Phrommethi Chamnongthamachari), Phra Khru Ad Paladmethawat (Phra Kru Wimonyanudom Chinthep Chinthevo), Mr. Boonma Phungthong, the  Samphanthawong Association and Mr. Praphat Phunphatthanapreecha went to pay homage to Luang Phu Waen and Phra Ajahn Nu Sujitto, the abbot of Wat Doi Mae Pang. Concerned about the safety of the country and soldier fighting at the borders, Phra Ajahn Nu Sujitto bowed to ask for permission from Luang Phu Waen  to create a batch of Rian for distribution to all soldiers, civilian police officers and people who were fighting for the country. Luang Phu allowed the group to proceed with the project and prepared the necessary so that the soldiers and civilian police officers guarding the country borders could receive the protection from the Rian as soon as possible. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com

Mr. Boonma Phuongthong then discussed with Luang Phor Prasong, abbot of Wat Samphanthawong, to assist in the preparation of the consecration ceremony. Wat Samphanthawong was under Luang Phu Wean’s patron and he had helped to build the temple’s facilities since B.E 2512 (1969) for some years. And in the personal way, Luang Phu Waen and Phra Ajahn Nu were familiar with Luang Phor Prasong  and the temple monks at Wat Samphanthawong as well. Thus Wat Samphanthawong together with the Samphanthawong Association assist in the production of the Rian to be shaped like a statue of Luang Pu Waen to be given to the military, civilian police and those who benefit the country.

It was agreed by the committee to adhere strictly to Luang Phu Wean instruction; the Rian would be created to distribute freely. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com No one can sell them and if they do this, they will encounter various disasters.

Wat Samphanthawong and Samphanthawong Association donated funds to finance the production of  Rian Rao Suu (“We Fight") which cost about 250,000 baht during that time. A further contribution of fund was from Rat Bamrung District, Nong Khaem District, Bangkok, Tri Rattanaram Rayong Province, Wat Khiri Phawaram Rayong province, Thai Danu Bank Co., Ltd. and a group of followers near Chit Kui which contributed another 60,000 baht. As such a total of 315,000 baht was raised in this cause.

The committee also announced the purpose of creating Rian Rao Suu (“We Fight") as:
  • To distribute to the Army, Naval, Air Force and Civilian Police who perform duties at all border operations.
  • To unite all Thais together to preserve the country, religion and monarchy forever.
  • As a reminder for Thais to hold on to their belief of the nation’s Independence and to constantly support their soldiers, police, civilians and people guarding and fighting at the border for the country sovereignty .
  • To be mindful and ready to defend and fight any enemy that threaten the Thai Kingdom, the Nation, the Religion and HM the King. And thus, the Thai script appeared on the back of the Rian "We fight, fight here, fight here"
Phra Kru Wibunsinwong (Phra Phrommethi Jumnongthamchari) designed the Rian. Created as a round medal, the front of the Rian featured the portrait of Luang Phu Wean facing to the left with the temple name. Also featuring a 5 lotus petals and 5 inverted petals with the Buddha script at the top. At the other side of the Rian, at the top is the Royal Thai Crown representing the HM King of Thailand presiding over the three branches of the arm forces. The Thai army represented with the round emblem seal, the Thai Navy represented with the anchor emblem seal, the Thai Air Force represented with the wing emblem seal, the Thai Police represented with the shield emblem seal and at the center the Garuda representing the protector of the Thai nation. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com

In the middle of the Rian was the number 2520 in thai text and the Royal Emblem of King Rama IX radiating like a sun guiding the three branches of the arm forces. The rays were shaped intertwined all around with heart shape representing unity and solidarity of the army, military, police and civilian to protect the monarchy.

The inscription พระพุทธคุณธรรมคุณ Phra BuddhaThammakhun and สังฆคุณ Sangkhakun พุทโธอรหัธมโมอรหัด้า ล่างจารึก Phutthorahamorah including “เราสู้ สู้ตรงนี้ สู้ที่นี้ "We fight, fight here, fight here" indicated that all Thais who in possession of this Rian shall be Ready to fight the dangers The Kingdom(Institution of the Nation, Religion & Monarch)  is facing.

Upon approval from the organizing committee, the Rian was contracted to Phutthamonthon Mongkol factory for moulding. Phra Khru Wibun Sinwong (Phra Phrommethee Jumnongthammachari), Phra Khru Palad Methawat (Provost Wimolyanudom Chinthep Chinthevo) and Mr. Papas Phunphatthanaphonpricha were tasked to oversee the mass production and ensure the quality control for this batch of Rian. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com

On 1st July B.E 2520 (1977), General Kriangsak Chamanan (then prime minister of Thailand from 1977 to 1980) and his military corps brought the Rian to Luang Phu Waen for the consecration ceremony at Wat Doi Mae Pang. Choosen as the auspicious hour, at 08:00am, Luang Phu Waen arrived at the temple to initiate the commencement of the ceremony with General Kriangsak Chamanan, Deputy Commander in Chief of the Army at that time, presided over the candle lighting ritual with 20 monks participating in the chanting.

At 9:40pm, Luang Pho Waen was invited to ascend to the main ceremonial seat for a 12 minutes prayer and the ceremony was completed with the sprinkled of nam-mon (holy blessed water) over this batch of Rian Rao Suu together with some other holy objections that were also blessed at the same time.

It was known that about 19,9480 numbers of Rian Rao Suu were produced in this batch. The following were the distribution records for this batch of rian:
  1. 22,000 numbers of Rian (~11%) were offered to His Majesty the King;
  2. 60,000 numbers of Rian (~30%) were distributed to the Army, Navy, Air Force and other military branches including the Police and the public under the royal service;
  3. 30,000 numbers of Rian (~15%) were offered to Deputy Commander in Chief (General Kriangsak Chamanan) for distribution to those who benefit the nation as it deems appropriate;
  4. 5,000 numbers of Rian (~3%) were offered to the Joint Director of Supreme Military Command of Royal Thailand Arm Forces;
  5. 5,000 numbers of Rian (~3%) were offered to the Central Administrative Bureau of the Supreme Commander (Central Office) for distribution to all provincial development units officers;
  6. 20,000 numbers of Rian (~10%) were offered to Mr Samak Sundaravej, Deputy Interior Minister (was Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008) for distribution to the Ministry of Interior;
  7. 10,000 numbers of Rian (~5%) were offered to Wat Doi Mae Pang, Chiangmai;
  8. 10,000 numbers of Rian (~5%) were offered to Wat Samphanthawong Temple, Bangkok;
The remaining 37,480 numbers of Rian (~18%) were distributed to individuals that had benefit  to the nation as consented by the Committee. As Luang Phu Wean instructed, all the Rian shall not be sold but to distribute freely to all in needs. Copyright ZapMonster Amulet Tale zapmonster.blogspot.com



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