Wat Chulamanee
Tao Wessuwan, First Edition, Wat Chulamanee, B.E. 2532 (1989)

Sacred amulets

Past edition

Tao Wessuwan, First Edition, Wat Chulamanee, B.E. 2532 (1989)

B.E. 2532

The first-edition Tao Wessuwan sacred objects of Wat Chulamanee, created by Luang Pho Itthi in B.E. 2532. The casting rite was held on 29 December B.E. 2531 and the consecration rite on 15 July B.E. 2532, with nine guru masters joining in the empowerment.

The first edition of Tao Wessuwan of Wat Chulamanee is the very first Tao Wessuwan sacred object that the abbot Luang Pho Phra Khru Sophitwiriyaphon (Itthi Bhaddacaro) resolved to create, in the Buddhist year B.E. 2532 — the same year in which he undertook to cast the great likeness of Tao Wessuwan enshrined within the temple. It marks the beginning of the renowned legend of the Tao Wessuwan sacred objects of Wat Chulamanee that has been handed down ever since.

Origin and Rites

  • The gold-pouring (casting) rite — 29 December B.E. 2531

  • The Buddhābhiseka consecration rite — 15 July B.E. 2532

  • Purpose — to raise funds for building the monks' living quarters (kuti) at Wat Daowadueng, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province

Guru Masters Who Joined in the Empowerment

  • Luang Pho Sutham, Wat Khao Phra (presiding master of the casting)

  • Luang Pho Phaeo, Wat Tanot Luang

  • Luang Pho Chaem, Wat Don Yai Hom

  • Luang Pho Lamyai, Wat Thung Lat Ya

  • Luang Pho Uttama, Wat Wang Wiwekaram

  • Luang Pho Yot, Wat Kaeo Charoen

  • Luang Pho Ke, Wat Maenam

  • Luang Pho Wilai, Wat Pho Ngam

  • Luang Pho Udom, Wat Pathum

The Sacred Objects Created

Veneration size — the Tao Wessuwan image, 18 inches tall, with the deva countenance

Free-standing (loi ong) figure

  • Consecrated alloy cast in the rite, straight-knee pattern

  • Gold material, bent-knee pattern (by reservation)

  • Gold material, straight-knee pattern (by reservation)

  • Silver material, bent-knee pattern — 1,000 figures

  • Silver material, straight-knee pattern — 1,000 figures

  • Alloy material, bent-knee pattern — 10,000 figures

  • Alloy material, straight-knee pattern — 10,000 figures

  • Thong thip (celestial gold) alloy, bent-knee pattern — 1,000 figures

Tao Wessuwan medal (seated-on-lotus pattern)

  • Gold material

  • Silver material

  • Bronze (thong) material — 1,000 medals

  • Alpaca material — 20,000 medals

Tao Wessuwan medal, tamarind-leaf pattern, raised yantra reverse, first edition (made in B.E. 2533, released in B.E. 2536)

  • Gold material

  • Silver material — 1,000 medals

  • Copper material — 100,000 medals

Examining the Bent-Knee Free-Standing Figure (How to Spot a Fake)

The first-edition free-standing Tao Wessuwan figure in the bent-knee pattern of B.E. 2532 became so popular that counterfeits appeared, so it should be examined with care.

Comparison of the bent-knee free-standing figure — the genuine (left) is larger than the fake (right)
Comparison of the bent-knee free-standing figure — the genuine (left) is larger than the fake (right)

The principal point to observe is the size of the figure — the genuine is noticeably larger than the fake, and anyone who has handled a genuine piece will notice the difference at once. For the surface texture and other details of the casting, compare against the accompanying images.

Comparison of the side profile and base — the fake (top) and the genuine (bottom)
Comparison of the side profile and base — the fake (top) and the genuine (bottom)

A word of caution

These observations are offered for educational purposes only. Please always exercise your own careful judgement when examining any sacred object.

Note: This content has been compiled from an article recording the history of the creation of the sacred objects of Wat Chulamanee, in order to record the history of this edition. It is in no way intended for any purpose of buying or selling.