THAI AMULET
TARAD PRA SOMDEJ
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR CONCERN,
EMAIL j_thongyam@yahoo.com
EMAIL tjayt@ymail.com
SomDej Wat RaKung, (By SomDej Toh)
(Black Colored / Large Pim)
This particular edition is extremely rare among SomDej amulet family. I have spoken with many of a more senior collectors and have an understanding that very few people have ever seen one. I can honestly say that most collector perceive of its existence as a merely a myth. After extensive research, I found that this is not so because a certain facts tells me that SomDej Toh made several colored amulets, mostly white, some off-yellow, some off-green, and black as well, (black material referred as Phunk-Bhai-Larn).
The black material were called Phunk-Bhai-Larn and made from a mixture of burned charcoal from blessed scrolls. SomDej Toh also used this material to make other amulets for another temple as well. Such amulets were Phra-Philun, (as an example).
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LP Klund, (Pim Ni-Yhom) / Wat PhraYhart
(Only 12 was made for this material, the Gold and Silver background)
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BELOW ARE PHRA SOMDEJ
PIM YHAI FROM WAT RAKANG BY PHRA PHUTDHACHARN TOH
By Somdej Toh, (B.E. 2331-2415); This amulet was made around B.E. 2400.
Thailand current year 2554, (US-2011)
SomDej Phra Putthachan Toh Promarungsri
To better understand Somdej amulet I should first introduce to you a certain facts. The origin of the name Somdej came from a Sir name. Any person with a blood line descendent fom loyalty carried with it a prefix Sir name Somdej. Example, Somdej Toh simply imply that is name is Toh and he had descendent from loyalty. In the older day, monks were not entitle to create Somdej amulets unless they have such bloodline or a special commission from the king.
Somdej Toh (1788-1872; B.E. 2331-2415), known formally as Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi, was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period.
Somdej Toh was born in Kamphaeng Phet Province, possibly the son of King Rama I. He studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pali Canon with several Buddhist masters. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince Mongkut, who become a monk, and later King Rama IV. During Rama IV's reign Somdej Toh was given the ceremonial name Phra Buddhacharn Toh Phomarangsi.
He was noted for the skill of his preaching and his use of Thai poetry to reflect the beauty of Buddhism, and for making amulets called Somdej. The amulets were blessed by himself and other respected monks in Thailand.
It was said, that at the age of 20 the king gave Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh an official title of Narkluang (Someone who is in a process of being ordained as a Budhist priest). This was during the time when he was still at Wat Ta Krai in Pitsanulok. Eventually, Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh became an abbot of Wat Rakang Kositaram and was promoted to the title of Somdej Pra Bhuddha Jarn. Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh was highly intellectual and great in performing sermons. He is considered to be the most well known, respected, and beloved monk of the Thai people. He passed away in B.E. 2415 at the age of 85.
Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh left with us his lasting legacy and his blessing to the people of
During his time, Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh would give a Phra Somdej to the Thai people everytime he was invited to important events, to bless a new home, or during a simple lunch invitation. Before giving out one of his Somdej, Somdej Phra Bhuddha Jarn Toh often give his blessing and tell the person accepting the Phra Somdej that this amulet would bless them with happiness and prosperity. It is known that the material for making a Pra Somdejs is comprised of powdered sea shells, powdered limestones, gold dust, Phong Vises ( holy powder), burned blessed scrolls, assorted flowers from a shrine, his left over rice from meals, lotus, bananas, ashes from celemonial incense, honey, tang oil, etc.
