Tao Wessuwan Amulet Medal — Champi Pattern, B.E. 2545 (2002)

The Tao Wessuwan medal in the Champi pattern of the Buddhist year B.E. 2545 (2002 CE) — which disciples affectionately call the "Champi Medal" — is a sacred object whose creation was conceived by the abbot Phra Khru Sophitwiriyaphon (Itthi Bhaddacaro) of Wat Chulamanee, and which is held in the highest esteem among disciples both Thai and foreign. It has been spoken of as a "medal of proven experience," owing to its divine power and the beauty of the medal, until it became a legend among the Tao Wessuwan medals of Thailand.

The Champi Medal in Its Various Metals

This edition of the Champi medal was cast in several metals — pure gold, silver with red enamel, pure silver, navaloha alloy, copper, and lead. The following set of images records the beauty of Tao Wessuwan on the medal across these various metals.

Gold

Silver with enamel

Silver

Nawaloha

Copper

Lead

Silver-gilt with enamel (blue enamel)

Silver-gilt with enamel (red enamel)

The Origin of the Tao Wessuwan Image at Wat Chulamanee

Tao Wessuwan, also known as Kubera, is the lord of the yakkhas and one of the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the north. In Buddhism a legend of the protective chants relates that the Four Heavenly Kings composed the "Āṭānāṭiya Sutta" and offered it to the Lord Buddha, so that monks and novices might chant it to guard against spirits, demons, and wrong-viewed deities during their meditation practice. For this reason the masters of old were fond of making charms, carved images, and yantra cloths in the form of Tao Wessuwan, distributing them to lay devotees to ward off dangers.

Mindful of the special virtues of Tao Wessuwan, who sustains Buddhism and protects the faithful, Luang Pho Itthi first created and distributed Tao Wessuwan medals to lay devotees from the Buddhist year B.E. 2532. He also undertook to cast a large likeness of Tao Wessuwan enshrined within the temple, performing the gold-pouring rite on 15 July B.E. 2532, which today is renowned for its sacred power — those who come to make vows have their wishes fulfilled in nearly every case.

The Champi Medal of B.E. 2545

Among all the Tao Wessuwan sacred objects whose creation Luang Pho Itthi conceived, the stamped medal in the Champi shape of the Buddhist year B.E. 2545 is the most beloved edition. He devoted the greatest care to its making — both in the sacred materials of the old consecrated alloy, and in his own long mind-empowerment chanting — until, confident of its potency, he released it for veneration and distribution. One portion was offered for veneration in order to raise funds for the restoration of Wat Chulamanee, while another portion he distributed to those who revered him.

With the experiences of those who took it to venerate, made evident both in good fortune and in deliverance from accidents in case after case, this edition became all the more famous and widely known. Some of the medals also bear sacred yantra script inscribed in Luang Pho's own hand, which he kindly sat and inscribed for those who asked, untiringly, divided into small inscribed script and large inscribed script.

The Method of Creation

Luang Pho Itthi's creation of each edition of sacred objects has always followed a meticulous standard. It begins with gathering sacred alloy and materials from many holy places, including medals and charms of past masters. Once enough sacred materials had been gathered, they were sent to a factory to be rolled into sheets, brought back to undergo "the rite of blessing the alloy" at the temple first, and only then taken back to be stamped into medals. When all the medals had been delivered to the temple, he would calculate the auspicious times to hold the Buddhābhiseka consecration rite at least 5–7 times; some editions were empowered over many years before being released for veneration. Every step was carried out with the utmost refinement, as he always remarked:

Each Buddhābhiseka consecration rite was held on a grand scale, with both the Buddhist rite and the Brahmin rite, inviting guru masters from all directions to join in the empowerment many times over, until — confident of its potency — it was released for veneration.

The Sacred Alloy and Materials

The first batch of alloy for the Champi medal came from the gold-pouring rite for the likeness of Luang Pho Nuang (Kowitho), the famed "Red Holy Water" edition of Wat Chulamanee. Later, at the gold-pouring rite for the likeness of Luang Pho Nuang, the "Holding the Rosary" edition of the Buddhist year B.E. 2529, guru masters joined the Buddhābhiseka, namely:

• Luang Pho Phrom, Wat Khanon Nuea

• Luang Pu Du, Wat Sakae

• Luang Pho Huan, Wat Phutthaisawan

• Luang Pho Mi, Wat Marawichai

• Luang Pho Choen, Wat Khok Thong

• Luang Pho Mian, Wat Pho Kop Chao

• Luang Pu Thim, Wat Phra Khao

• Luang Pho Phoem, Wat Pom Kaeo

• Luang Pho Chaloem, Wat Phra Yat

• Luang Pho Phin, Wat Ko Kaeo

• Luang Pu Chuen, Wat Yan Sen

In this rite Luang Pho Itthi brought rolled copper sheets and copper wire to join the rite, as Luang Pho Nuang had instructed be kept for making alloy. He also brought 50 kilograms of pure granular copper into the rite, and cut copper bars into pieces for the guru masters to anoint and inscribe as alloy, with the guru masters joining in blessing the alloy as follows:

• Luang Pho Chuen, Wat Yan Sen

• Luang Pu Chop

• Luang Pho Di, Wat Phra Rup

• Luang Pho Khom, Wat Phai Rong Wua

• Luang Pho Uttama, Wat Wang Wiwekaram

• Luang Pho Lamyai, Wat Thung Lat Ya

• Luang Pho Yueang, Wat Thung Lom

• Luang Pho Nu, Wat Wang Sala

• Luang Pu Phaeo Pavaro

• Luang Pu Liu, Wat Rai Taeng Thong

• Luang Pu Yaem, Wat Sam Ngam

• Luang Pho Poen, Wat Bang Phra

• Luang Pho Chaem, Wat Don Yai Hom

In addition, he gathered the 108 yantra sheets from Ajarn Thep Sarikabut, 10 sets (which were exceedingly hard to obtain in those days), together with 14 other yantra sheets, and alloy from the gold-pouring of the Phra Kring Thewabodi (B.E. 2535) and the Phra Kring Weluwan, his legendary votive bell-images, into which had been gathered and fused the alloy of a great many medals of renowned masters.

Alloy from Masters' Medals (Copper Material)

• Alloy of the Phra Kring Yanawitthayakhom, Luang Pho Khun, Wat Ban Rai

• Alloy of the Phra Kring Chinabanchon

• Alloy of the Phra Kring Suchinno, Luang Pu Waen

• Phra Kring of Luang Pu To

• Medals of Luang Pu To, "Lo Maek" edition (2 medals)

• Medal of Luang Pu To, with the Tri yantra on the reverse

• Phra Kring Kitthewo, Luang Pho Phrom, Wat Khanon Nuea

• Phra Kring of Luang Pho Thong Yu Suthathikari

• Kaiser medal of the Supreme Patriarch

• Medal of Luang Pho Khong, Wat Bang Kaphom, B.E. 2484

• Medal of Luang Pho Khong, Wat Bang Kaphom, "Pat Tan" edition (2 medals)

• First-edition medal of Luang Pu Chai, Wat Sadet (3 medals)

• Medal of Luang Pho Chui, Wat Khongkha

• First-edition medal of Luang Pho Khun, Wat Ban Rai

• First-edition medal of Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Khao Bandai It

• Medal of Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Khao Bandai It, "Maethap" edition, gold material

• Medal of Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Khao Bandai It, "Maethap" edition, silver material

• Medal of Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Khao Bandai It, "Maethap" edition, copper material

• Medal of Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Khao Bandai It, "Bot Lan" edition

• Medal of Luang Pho Sut, Wat Kalong, "Suea Phen" edition

• First-edition medal of Luang Pho Phoem, Wat Klang Bang Kaeo

• Medal of Phra Khru Panyachotiwat (3 medals)

• Medal of Luang Pho Pha, Khon Kaen

• Medal of Luang Pho Phae

• Medal of Luang Pho Chuan

• Medal of Luang Pho Huat

• Medal of Luang Pho Choi, Wat Si Uthumphon

• Medal of Luang Pho Doem, "Kon Maeng Sap" (cockroach base)

• Medal of Luang Pho Kan, "Sian Tong" pattern

• Medal of Phra Mongkhon Bophit, with the numeral 1 yantra on the reverse

• Medal of Phra Mongkhon Bophit, B.E. 2495

• Medal of Wat Phanan Choeng

• Medal of Luang Pho Chong, Wat Natang Nok, large-face pattern

• Medal of Luang Pho Pan, Wat Bang Nom Kho

• Medals of Luang Pho Mian, Wat Pho Kop Chao, all editions

• Medal of Luang Pho Phrom, Wat Khanon Nuea, "Kro Phet" (diamond armor) yantra

• Medal of Luang Pho Khammi, Wat Tham Khuha Sawan, B.E. (year) 17

• Medal of Luang Pho Phring, Wat Kong Thanu (2 medals)

• First-edition medal of Luang Pho Ngoen, Wat Don Yai Hom

• Medal of Luang Pho Noi, Wat Thammasala

• Medal of Luang Pho Nak, "Military Academy" edition

• Medal of Luang Pu Du, "Poet Lok" edition

• Medal of Luang Pu Si, Wat Sakae

• Medal of Luang Pho Chaem, Wat Pa Mok

• Medal of Luang Pho Sai, Wat Thong Khung

• Medal of Luang Pho Klan, Wat Inthrawat

• Medal of Luang Pho Kham, Wat Pho Pan

• Medal of Luang Pho Rung, Wat Pang Chak

• Medal of Luang Pho Di, Wat Phra Rup

• Medal of Luang Pho Khom, Wat Phai Rong Wua

• Sema medal of Luang Pho Mui, Wat Don Rai

• Medal of Luang Pho Daeng, Wat Thung Khaya

• Medal of Luang Pho Lamyai, "5 Keji" edition

• Medal of the Reclining Buddha, Phra Thaen Dong Rang

• Medal of Luang Pho Sai, Wat Tha Khanun

• "Nak Kiao" medal, Wat Tri Chinda (400 medals)

• "Four Noble Truths" medal of Luang Pho Chai, Wat Sadet

• Medal of Luang Pho Suea, Wat Bang Waek, B.E. 2519

• Medal of B.E. (year) 15, Wat Rakhang Khositaram

• Medal of Luang Pho Chaem, Wat Chalong

• Medal of Luang Pho Thip, Buri Ram

• Medal of King Naresuan, B.E. (year) 15

• Medal of King Naresuan, 2nd edition

• Somdej Nang Phaya, nawaloha material (3 images)

• Medals of Luang Pu Ti, Wat Luang, nearly all editions

• Medal of the Maha Chakkraphat rite, Phitsanulok (400 medals)

• Medal of Luang Pho Suea, Wat Bang Waek

• Medal of Luang Pho Seng, Wat Kanlayanamit

• Medal of Luang Pho Kluai, Wat Mu Dut

• Medal of Luang Pho Khong, Wat Wang Sapparot

• Medal of Luang Pu Thim, Wat Lahan Rai, "Charoen Phon Bon" edition

• Medal of Luang Pu Thim, Wat Lahan Rai, "Charoen Phon Lang" edition

• Medal of Luang Pu Plian, Wat Tai

• Medal of Luang Pho Yathan Suan

• Medal of Luang Pu Wan

• Medal of Luang Pu Khao, Wat Tham Klong Phen

• First-edition medal of Luang Pho Chop

• Medal of Luang Pu Fan

• Medals of the Supreme Patriarch (Yu) (2 medals)

• Medal of Luang Pho Thammachak, Wat Bang Lam Mun

• Medal of Luang Pho Kasem Khemako, "Taeng Mo" (watermelon) edition

• Medal of Luang Pho Kasem Khemako, "Sum Rakhang, Sitting Holding the Alms Bowl" edition

• Medal of Luang Pho Kasem Khemako, "Sitting with Raised Knee" edition, B.E. (year) 17 (200 medals)

• Medal of Luang Pho Ki, Wat Hu Chang

• Medal of Luang Pu Soi Thammaroso, Wat Liap Rat Bamrung

• Medal of Luang Pho Suang

• Medal of Luang Pho Rian, Wat Bang Rahong

• Medal of Luang Pho Ophasi

• Medals of Wat Phra Kaeo, 1st edition and 2nd edition

• Phra Kring Ayothaya

• Phra Poet Lok

• Medals from every temple in Samut Songkhram Province, both silver and copper material (including gold material weighing 85 baht)

Alloy from Buried Amulets and Takrut (Lead Material)

• Alloy of the Phra Tha Kradan, Si Sawat crypt, Kanchanaburi

• Alloy of the Wat Thewa Sangkharam crypt amulets, Kanchanaburi

• Alloy of the lead Phra Ruang, Wat Phra Thaen Dong Rang crypt, Kanchanaburi

• Alloy of the Phra Tha Kradan, Wat Si Loha, Kanchanaburi

• Phra Pidta of Luang Pu Rian, Wat Nong Bua

• Crypt amulets, Wat Dong Sak, Kanchanaburi

• Phra Kamphaeng Sok, Luang Pho Khom, Wat Phai Rong Wua, Suphan Buri

• First-edition Phra Kamphaeng Sok, Luang Pu Di, Wat Phra Rup

• Phra Rao Thian, Wat Intharam, Talat Phlu, Bangkok

• Lead alloy, the Phra Pru Nang pattern, the Ngop Nam Oi pattern, and the Phra Khong pattern, Luang Pho Niam, Wat Noi, Suphan Buri

• Lead Maha Rangap takrut, Luang Pu Iam, Wat Pak Lat, Samut Songkhram

• Phra Kamphaeng Sok and Phra Yot Tho, Wat Phra Si Mahathat crypt, Suphan Buri

• Lead Phra Pidta, Wat Hin Laem, Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi

• Lead Nom and Phra Tha Kradan, Luang Pho Lamyai, Wat Thung Lat Ya, Kanchanaburi

• Maha Prap takrut, Luang Pho Nuang, Wat Chulamanee, Samut Songkhram

• Takrut of Luang Pho Khong, Wat Bang Kaphom, Samut Songkhram

• Lead amulets of Luang Pho Thaen, Wat Thamma Sen, Ratchaburi

• Takrut of Luang Pho Phit, Wat Khamang, Phichit

• Phra Tha Kradan Noi, Wat San Chao crypt, Ratchaburi

• Phra Praphamonthon, Luang Pu Suk, Wat Hua Hat, Chai Nat

• Phra Ruang, Wat Luang crypt, Bang Phae, Ratchaburi

• Lead amulets of Luang Pho Choi, Wat Bang Chang Nuea, Nakhon Pathom

• Phra Rot, Wat Nong Mon, Lop Buri

• Phra Yot Khun Phon, Sema Sam Chan crypt, Phetchaburi

• Lead Phra Ruang, Lop Buri

• Phra Somdej Lead "Tham Cha," Luang Pu To, Wat Pradu Chimphli, Bangkok

• Medal of Luang Pho Sa-nga, Wat Nong Muang, Photharam, Ratchaburi

• Lead amulets of Luang Pho Charun, Wat Chaloem At, Ratchaburi

With these rare alloys and sacred materials, combined with hundreds of grand Buddhābhiseka consecration rites, arose the "medal of proven experience" that has been spoken of until it became a legend of supreme sacred power.

The Number Produced

• Pure gold material — 80 medals

• Silver with red enamel — 500 medals

• Pure silver material — 500 medals

• Nawaloha material — 500 medals

• Copper material — 150,000 medals

• Lead material — 150,000 medals

• Sacred-powder material — 150,000 medals

The Yantra on the Reverse — the Tao Wessuwanno Seal Yantra (3-7-9)

Many wonder what the yantra on the reverse of the Tao Wessuwanno medal of B.E. 2545 from Wat Chulamanee is. This yantra is called the "layered-Buddha yantra," the Tao Wessuwanno seal, and within it is concealed a most auspicious meaning. The numerals 3, 7, 9 that appear at the center of the yantra carry these meanings:

The Numeral 3 — the Triple Gem

The numeral 3 refers to the Triple Gem, the Three Jewels, namely: the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

The Numeral 7 — the Seven Factors of Enlightenment

The numeral 7 refers to the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Satta Bojjhaṅga), the qualities that are factors of enlightenment, the practices that bring knowledge and liberation to fulfillment, reaching the utmost end of suffering. There are seven, supporting one another in sequence, as follows:

1. Sati-sambojjhaṅga (Mindfulness) — recollectedness, keeping mindfulness present in body, feelings, mind, and dhammas, without lapse (developed from the Four Foundations of Mindfulness).

2. Dhammavicaya-sambojjhaṅga (Investigation of Dhamma) — the examining, selecting, and considering of dhammas with wisdom (wise attention), giving rise to true knowledge and understanding.

3. Viriya-sambojjhaṅga (Energy/Effort) — diligence, the firm perseverance in practice and in considering dhammas, without discouragement or despondency.

4. Pīti-sambojjhaṅga (Rapture) — the joy and refreshment of mind, free of worldly enticement, arising from considering dhammas with effort.

5. Passaddhi-sambojjhaṅga (Tranquility) — the calm of body and mind, the easing that arises when rapture subsides.

6. Samādhi-sambojjhaṅga (Concentration) — the steadiness of mind, undistracted and unscattered, right concentration for the sake of insight.

7. Upekkhā-sambojjhaṅga (Equanimity) — placing the mind in balance, knowing things as they are and then letting go, clinging neither to good nor to bad, by the strength of mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom.

Whoever cultivates these seven qualities abundantly brings knowledge and liberation to fulfillment, reaching the utmost end of suffering.

The Numeral 9 — the Nine Virtues of the Sangha

The numeral 9 refers to the Nine Virtues of the Sangha, the virtues of the monks who are of good conduct and right practice (referring to the four pairs, the eight kinds of noble ones). The first four virtues are for one's own benefit, while the latter five are for the benefit of others. There are nine, as follows:

1. Supaṭipanno — of good practice (according to the Middle Way).

2. Ujupaṭipanno — of upright practice, not deceiving the world.

3. Ñāyapaṭipanno — of right and proper practice, in accord with the Dhamma.

4. Sāmīcipaṭipanno — of practice fitting to be honored.

5. Āhuneyyo — worthy of homage and of offerings.

6. Pāhuneyyo — worthy of hospitality.

7. Dakkhiṇeyyo — worthy of gifts (dakkhiṇā).

8. Añjalikaraṇīyo — worthy of reverential salutation.

9. Anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassa — the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

The Language of the Yantra

The yantra script surrounding the seal signifies protection by the deities in three respects, namely:

1. Protection by Indra (Indra protects).

2. Protection by Brahma (Brahma protects).

3. Protection by Kubera (Tao Wessuwan protects).

Examining the Genuine Lead Champi Medal (How to Spot a Fake)

Owing to the popularity of the lead Champi medal, counterfeits have appeared in two blocks. The first block bears no code mark — if no code is found, it can be judged not genuine at once — while the second block comes closer to the original and even includes a code. The points to observe are as follows:

1. The eyes — on the right eye of Tao Wessuwan, the genuine is finely shaped, while the fake bulges

2. The surface — the genuine has a taut, even surface; the fake's surface is not taut

3. The reverse yantra — on the genuine the lines are crisp and the surface taut; on the fake the lines are blurred and the surface is not taut

4. The rim — the genuine is trimmed cleanly almost to the very edge; the fake is trimmed from both sides, meeting in the middle

5. The lead metal — the genuine is soft and can be bent by hand; the fake is hard and difficult to bend

Engraved Marks (Roi Jan) on the Lead Medal

Beyond the points above, some lead Champi medals were also inscribed by hand with sacred characters (roi jan) by Luang Pho Itthi himself — a distinctive feature that aids authentication. Because this edition grew popular, forged engravings later appeared on genuine medals. The set of images below was taken from a medal inscribed directly by Luang Pho Itthi, for comparing the true character of the engraved lines and the weight of the master's hand.

Note: This content has been compiled from an article on the history of the creation (gathered in March B.E. 2559) and an article explaining the Tao Wessuwanno seal yantra (gathered in September B.E. 2562), in order to record the history and the auspicious meaning of this edition of the medal. It is in no way intended for any purpose of buying or selling.