Luang Phor Ngen is among one of the must-know guru monks in Thai Buddhism and occultism. For those who had visited the Kingdom of Thailand would probably have seen posters of His Venerable in many shops and offices. When you ask the Thais about His Venerable you are likely to be overwhelmed by so many stories that you could hardly digest.

In this article, we will provide you with a brief history of His Venerable and the reasons why His Venerable hitherto remains one of the most popular monks within the Thai community. We will also be introducing you to statues and amulets of His Venerable from Wat Bangkhlang, Phitchit province.

A Brief History

Luang Phor Ngen Puttachot was born during the reign of King Rama I, Rattanakosin, on Friday, September 16, Buddhist Year 2348 in Bangkhlang District, Phitchit Province. His father’s name was Wu, a native of Bangkhlang and his mother Fak was from Kampheang Phet Province. He was the fourth child among a family of six children.

In year 2356, when Luang Phor Ngen was eight years old, his uncle and also his teacher by the name of Khuang received permission from Luang Phor Ngen’s parents to bring him to Bangkok to study at Wat Tong Pu, now known as Wat Chana Songkhram, the temple in which later another famous guru monk by the name of Luang Phor Pair was ordained. Three years later in 2359 he was ordained as a novice and became known as Sammak Nen Phuttachot. He observed three Buddhist Lent in Wat Tong Pu where he studied the Dharma and practiced Vipassana meditation. He was subsequently ordained as a full-fledged monk when he became of age.

After achieving a solid foundation in both Dharma and Vipassana, Phra Phuttachot took leave from Wat Tong Pu and travelled to Bangkhumprom District and sought to be a disciple of the top guru monk Somdej Phra Putchantoh Phramarangsri of Wat Rakhang Khositaram. His Venerable Somdej Phra Putchantoh officially took Phra Phuttachot as his disciple and imparted him with his magical skills. Phra Phuttachot learned and practiced well under the guidance of his master and subsequently became the most famous disciple of Somdej Phra Phuttachantoh. He remained in Wat Rakhang until his family wrote to inform him that his grandfather has fallen ill and requested that he come and spend his Buddhist Lent in Wat Kongaram.

Luang Phor Ngen stayed in Wat Kongaram for a year when a famous alchemist, Luang Phor Ho, was the abbot. Later on, he moved to the current Wat Bangkhlang, Phichit Province. Luang Phor Ngen quickly became a pillar of the province where he preached the Dharma and practiced Phra Weth to help villagers. His reputation spread quickly throughout the country and people flocked to Wat Bangkhlang to pay respect and asked for blessings. Holy water and talismans from Luang Phor Ngen became highly sought after items. There were as many monks as there were laypeople who travelled from all parts of the kingdom to Phitchit province to learn from His Venerable and many subsequently also became abbots of various prominent temples. For examples,

1. Luang Phor Pit,Wat Khamang, Mueang Phitchit;

2. Luang Phor Noi,Wat Kongaram, Photharam District, Ratchaburi;

3. Luang Phor Pai, Wat Tha Luang Phon, Photharam District, Ratchaburi;

4. Luang Pu Phu, Wat Tha Lo,  Mueang Phichit District, Phichit;

5. Luang Pho Hom, Wat Luang, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani;

6. Luang Pho Nuan, Wat Hat Mun Krabue, Mueang Phichit District, Phichit;

7. Luang Phor Feung, Wat Paknam Phasi Cheroen, Phasi Cheroen, Bangkok;

8. Luang Phor Kham, Wat Pho Tia, Lan Krabue District, Kamphaeng Phet; and et cetera.

In addition, among his lay disciples was Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the 28th child of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V. Prince Chumphon Khet Udomsak was then also a disciple of Luang Por Suk Wat Pak Khlong Makham Tao, Wat Sing District, Chainat Province.

Luang Phor Ngen diligently served the Sangha and people throughout his entire life until he entered nirvana on September 19, 2462 at the age of 114 leaving behind too many miracles to be recalled. Handwritten records by His Venerable pertaining to the treatment of diseases and evils are well preserved and vigilantly kept in Wat Bangkhlang. Up until today, amulets of His Venerable are highly sought after within Thai Buddhist circle. It is believed that they bring great wealth and popularity to worshippers.

After the passing over of Luang Phor Ngen, His Venerable’s statues and amulets have been created for many generations at Wat Bangkhlang and other temples, including government agencies, but the most famous and sought after remain those made and consecrated by Phrakru Phibun Thammawet or more popularly known as Luang Por Preang of Wat Bangkhlang.

Luang Phor Ngen Statues and Amulets

According to old records, Luang Phor Ngen has only made and consecrated five batches of amulets. The first batch of amulets made and consecrated by Luang Phor Ngen were pendants of an illustrative monk with a convex chest and a built-in loop. About 3,000 – 4,000 pieces were made. The second casting was the circular statues which the Phitchit people called “Bok Ta” or “eye mould” also known as the first batch of “roop” (mini statues) cast with brass. The finishing was rough and uneven. The number created was reported to be about 2000 pieces. Luang Phor Ngen made those amulets available to believers at a meagre price of 1 baht each, yes, you heard it correctly, only 1 baht!

These century-old Luang Phor Ngen’s amulets currently cost as high as 29 million baht each depending on condition of the amulets. Even for the fifth batch, also known as the last batch, a bargain price for a not-so-well preserved unit is approximately between 4-6 million baht.

To be honest, albeit being more than two decades in this trade, besides seeing those amulets in collection books and magazines, we have never seen a genuine physical copy before and, thus, we are not in the position to delve too much into those amulets. Moreover, prices for those Luang Phor Ngen amulets are as steep as those Somdej amulets made and consecrated by His Venerable Somdej Phra Phuttachantoh which are beyond the reach for most of us. This has also led to many counterfeit items catering to the enthusiasm of treasure hunters.

Therefore, we will only be introducing you to genuine but more affordable models of Luang Phor Ngen amulets made and consecrated by subsequent abbots of Wat Bangkhlang. Let us begin with those made and consecrated by Luang Phor Preang beginning from the year 2535.

Amulets Made and Consecrated by Luang Phor Preang

It has to be noted that the first batch of Luang Phor Ngen amulets made and consecrated by Luang Phor Preang were those in the year 2515 sponsored by Pol. Maj. Gen. Sanga Kittikachon, Minister of Foreign Affairs at that time, and Mr. Phadet Jiraporn, chairman of the Phichit Provincial Council. The 2515 batch was made and consecrated for the purpose of restoring the old Wat Bangkhlang, now renamed Wat Hiranyaram, built by Luang Phor Ngen to remember the first Buddhist Lent His Venerable spent there. The consecration ceremony was led by Somdej Phra Wanrat of Wat Phra Chetuphon and Phra Wisut Wongsachan of Wat Suthat.

Nonetheless, we will also not be touching on this batch of amulets due to scarcity and price factors. The Phim Niyom 2515 has already broken the five hundred thousand baht mark and the medal or alternatively known as Spade Coin 2515 has also surpassed a hundred thousand baht. Therefore, in this article we will commence with amulets made from year 2535 to 2553 by Luang Phor Preang and Luang Phor Sirlit in lieu.

Luang Phor Ngen 2535 Loon Phrathampitaka

Luang Phor Ngen 2535 is known as Loon Phrathampitaka which used the mould from the 2515 batch that was made and consecrated under a joint effort between Wat Bangkhlang and Wat Sutthat. Similarly, the 2535 batch of Luang Phor Ngen was again a joint effort between those two temples. The consecration ceremony was jointly led by Somdej Phra Dharmadilok, abbot of Wat Suthat and Phrakru Phibunthammawet (Luang Por Preang), abbot of Wat Bangkhlang, thus, making both the 2515 and 2535 batches to have high value.

Starting from the full moon day of the 12th lunar month, that was, November 21, 2534, the casting ceremony was commenced inside the temple compound so as to invoke Yant 108 and Napathamang 14 according to the auspicious occasion. The sacred objects were then transported to Wat Suthat where the Maha Phuttapisek ceremony was held in the Ubosot of Wat Suthat on 25-27 January 2535. Those sacred objects remained in Wat Suthat for 3 months where various guru monks came to perform blessings before they were being transported back to Wat Bangkhlang where another Maha Phuttapisek ceremony was being conducted in April the same year.

Luang Phor Ngen Loon Chotibharamee 2537

In year 2537, Luang Phor Preang made and consecrated another batch of Luang Phor Ngen amulets to raise fund for the construction of the parish building and the Hall of King Rama V Hospital, Taphan Hin Sub-district, Phichit Province. This batch of amulets is known as Luang Phor Ngen Loon Chotibharamee.

Because of the altruistic purpose, an extraordinarily grand Phuttapisek ceremony was being conducted for days and nights from 23-25 November, 2537 without interruption. Prominent guru masters from all over the Kingdom of Thailand invited to participate in the ceremony include:

Luang Pu Tim, Wat Phra Khao

Luang Phor Pair, Wat Phikulthong

Luang Phor Pern, Wat Bangplad

Luang Pu Put, Wat Klang Bangplad

Kruba Duangdi, Wat Tha Champi

Luang Phor Yen, Wat Sam Ngam

Luang Pu Yik, Wat Nong Chor

Luang Phor Mi, Wat Mawichai

Luang Phor Uttma, Wat Wang Kawi Wegaram

Luang Phor Phut, Wat Pa Salawan

Luang Phor Yod, Wat Kaew Charoen

Luang Phor Dee, Wat Phra Ru

Luang Phor Lamyai, Wat Thung Lat Ya

Luang Phor Yam, Wat Takhian

Luang Phor Kae, Wat Maenam

Luang Phor Mian, Wat Pho Kob Chao

Luang Phor Prathuang, Wat Nong Yang Toi

Luang Phor Foolon, Wat Phra Phutthabat Khao Ruak

Luang Phor Sawat, Wat Bueng Baworn Sathit

Luang Phor Jek, Wat Ranam

Luang Phor Charoen, Wat Thanyawari

Luang Phor Huat, Wat Don Pho Thong

Phra Ajahn Ita, Wat Chulamanee

Kruba Soi, Wat Mongkhon Khiri Khet

Luang Phor Naem, Wat Khao No

Luang Phor Ket, Wat Koh Lak

Luang Pu Luang, Wat Pa Samran Niwat

Luang Pu Waen, Wat Tham Phra Sabai

Luang Phor Hom, Wat Khuha Suwan

Luang Pho Chalerm, Wat Phra Kanthikaram

Luang Phor Phim, Wat Nong Ta Ngu

Luang Phor Samran, Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao

Luang Phor Phol, Wat Dudkhon

Luang Phor Huol, Wat Phutthathai Sawan

Luang Phor Yot, Wat Sangkhositaram

Kruba Kasem, Wat Pa Tung

Ajarn Puan, Wat Nong Bua Thong

Luang Phor Sai, Wat Khanon Tai

Phra Maha Thongchai, Wat Trimikon Wittayaram

Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Burapharam and et cetera.

Because of that special Phuttapisek ceremony and the participation of prominent guru monks, this batch of amulets becomes collectible and highly sought after.

Luang Phor Preang Loon Phra Buddha Nimit 2538 (Loon Sukthai)

In the year 2538, for the first time , Luang Phor Preang made and consecrated a batch of his own amulets and invoked the charm of high compassion and benevolence in consecrating his final batch of amulets which became known as Loon Phra Buddha Nimit. Subsequently, this batch of amulets became known as Loon Sukthai or the last batch of Luang Phor Preang’s creations as his Venerable entered nirvana the following year 2539.

Amulets Made and Consecrated by Luang Phor Sirlit

Luang Phor Preang was succeeded by Phrakru Visitsilapon, alternatively known as Luang Phor Sirlit.

Luang Phor Ngen 2540 

Upon taking over as abbot of Wat Bangkhlang in 2540, Luang Phor Sirlit made and consecrated Luang Phor Ngen and Luang Phor Preang amulets to mark reverence for the previous two prominent abbots. These amulets portrayed the exact human look of the respective Luang Phor.

Luang Phor Ngen 2541 Loon Yon

During the end of year 2540, Luang Phor Sirlit also made and consecrated a batch of Luang Phor Ngen Loon Yon which literally means retro edition. However, there were two models, one mimicking the original of Luang Phor Ngen’s and the other resembles those of Luang Phor Preang’s. The consecration ceremony went on until March 4, 2541when the Maha Phutthaphisek Ceremony finally took place.

This batch reintroduced the original unrefined styles used during Luang Phor Ngen’s time.

Therefore, among one of the 2541 batch, there is one model where the number “40” is casted on the rear of the amulet.

Luang Phor Ngen Loon Banboonhun Kansiksa 2545 

Year 2545 batch of Luang Phor Ngen Loon Banboonhun Kansiksa was deliberately made and consecrated for the purpose to share merit and support for education. The consecration ceremony on April 25, 2545 took the tone of altruism and wisdom led by eight senior guru monks including:

1. Luang Pu Ruay Pasatiko, Wat Tako

2. Luang Phor Phrathep Molee, Wat Ratchaphatikaram

3. Luang Phor Wimonmuni, Wat Machimawat

4. Luang Phor Thuam, Wat Si Suwan

5. Luang Phor Un, Wat Tan Kong

6. Luang Pu Ki, Wat Sri Lamyong

7. Luang Pho Sarit Wat Bangkhlang

8. Luang Phor Sophon Kittayaporn, Assistant Abbot of Wat Suthat.

The blessing ceremony lasted six months up-to October 5, 2545 when the Maha Phutthaphisek ceremony was conducted in the Ubosot at Wat Bangkhlang with Somdej Phra Putthachan Keo Uppaseno presiding over the candle lit ritual on the 3rd day and Phra Thep Moli of Wat Ratchaphatikaram extinguished a candle on the 5th day. Therefore, this batch of amulets is said to bestow on believers the morality of altruism and wisdom leading to the achievement of both material and spiritual quality.

Luang Phor Ngen Phim Niyom Loon Sang Vihan 2550 

In year 2550, Luang Phor Sirlit made and consecrated a batch of Luang Phor Ngen Phim Niyom for the purpose of raising fund to build a Vihan or shelter for monks in Wat Tai Nam in Phitchit province. Wat Tai Nam is a temple where Luang Phor Ngen has spent a Buddhist Lent there and which honours Luang Phor Ngen with the largest statue measuring lap width 10 meters and height 12 meters.

This batch of Luang Phor Ngen amulets, although not the smallest ever made, is nonetheless categorised as miniatures with a lap width of 10mm and height 15mm. They come in two tones, one is high polished brass and the other unpolished but are both beautifully refined with the number “50” printed behind.

Participation in the building of a Vihan or any donation towards the purpose brings forth providence, a manifestation of divine care and guidance.

Luang Phor Ngen Phim Niyom Loon Mongkol Maharap 2551 

In celebrating His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 81^st birthday, Luang Phor Sirlit made and consecrated a batch of Luang Phor Ngen amulets to help build a meditation centre in Wat Chaya Langkarn, Pa Pong Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province in honour of His Majesty the King. This batch is called Luang Phor Ngen Phim Niyom Loon Mongkol Maharap which literally means “Auspicious Great Luck.”

The official ritual commenced on October 13, 2551 with Princess Soamsawali leading the casting ceremony on October 23. The ritual lasted five months with the Maha Phuttapisek ceremony conducted on February 20, 2552 with Princess Soamsawali joining Luang Pu Fu, Wat Bang Samak, Luang Pu Ruay, Wat Tako, Luang Phor Sirlit, Wat Bangkhlang Luang Por Peeradej, Wat Bowon and other prominent monks to bring the event to a closing. A total of 12,551 pieces of amulets were released to the public.

Luang Phor Ngen Loon Sirlokanat 2552

“Sirlokanat ” means “most respected”. This batch of Luang Phor Ngen Loon Sirlokanat 2552 comes in both statues and amulets. Therefore, it connotes anyone who has a sacred Luang Phor Ngern Loon Sirlokanat 2552 statue or amulet will be most respected, thus, receive peace, happiness, and prosperity of the world permanently throughout this life-time on earth.

The amulets depict Luang Phor Ngen’s human features, seated in the Siddhasana style of meditation or what is commonly called a half-lotus posture. The posture itself connotes stability and when combined with Luang Phor Ngern Loon Sirlokanat, it signifies stability of peace, happiness, and prosperity as imprinted on the “sangkathi.”

The statues come in two sizes, 5 and 9 inches lap width with Luang Phor Ngen seated in a meditating posture. There are two Phayod or monk’s rank fan by his sides. The one on his right bears the Phra Maha Pichai, the Thai king’s crown whilst the one on his left has his name “Ngen” written on it. On the front of the seat is imprinted “Luang Phor Ngen (Puttachot)” and on the rear “Wat Bangkhlang Pole Thale, Phitchit Province.”

Luang Phor Ngen Phim Niyom Loon Kontun 2553 

There are two purposes leading to the construction and consecration of LuangPhor Ngen Phim Niyom Loon Kontun 2553 and they are, firstly, setting up a mutual fund for aged and sick monks; and secondly, setting up an education fund for Pali education for monks and novices. Therefore, the term “Kontun” which means “fund kept as inheritance and benefit for” has been used.

Luang Phor Sirlit has placed great importance to this batch of amulets that he even used sacred materials left down by Luang Phor Ngen and preserved by the temple for this batch of amulets. Furthermore, his venerable insisted in invoking traditional rituals including having the entire casting ceremony to be fully conducted in Wat Bangkhlang making it an event not seen for the past several decades.

Owing to the scale of the rituals and ceremony, Phra Dharmaratanadilok, Wat Suthatthepwararam, and Phrakru Vachiraphuttanukun, Wat Tha Luang were invited to assume the positions of advisor and chairman for the project and jointly preside over all rituals together with Luang Phor Sirlit. The casting ceremony was led and overseen by Phrakru Suwithan Sasanakit (Phra Arjahn Pailin), Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Chinaraj Temple), Phitsanulok Province. Several models were casted comprising retro-models to the more contemporary and refined models.

Finally, on August 19, 2553, a congregation of 108 guru monks from all over the kingdom assembled in Ubosot at Wat Bangkhlang to perform the Phuttapisek ceremony.

In this batch, there are the coded and non-coded models. Even for the coded models, some are coded with Thai numerals and others with Arabic numerals. A common mistake is to price coded models over non-coded models because the materials used in the respective models vary vastly.

The Charm

There is a charm Luang Phor Preang taught us many years ago when we visited his Venerable. It is a charm of communication with Luang Phor Ngen to seek help and blessings. Since there is no restriction imposed on us pertaining to this charm, we will like to share it with believers who honour and worship Luang Phor Ngen as follows:

Recite:

Namo Tassa Pakawatoh Arahatoh Samma Samput Tassa (X3)

Then:

Ar ka ar ṭhi ar ṭhi ar ka ṭhi ae ka ae wan tha mi ar ja ri yang ja he ran ya na ma kang thi rang sit ṭhi tan tang maha teh chang e-ṭhi mang tang wa sa tha rang

Say your prayers.