Stories

Temple Stories

Anecdotes, legends, and remembrances of Wat Chulamanee that don't fit neatly into any one section.

• A Senior Teacher's Tale — The Traisaranakhom Yantra in a Dream, and the Prophecy of the Ninth Novice›A tale about Luang Pho Itthi of Wat Chulamanee — a senior teacher who first met him in a dream, in which he was shown how to inscribe the Traisaranakhom (Triple Refuge) yantra, and the prophecy that Luang Pho Yai (Chun Abhinando) of Wat Tham Khuha Sawan made concerning the ninth novice.
• Clearing Up the Doubts — Luang Pho Nueang's First-Edition Medal of B.E. 2511 (1968) and Ecclesiastical-Rank-Promotion Medal of B.E. 2517 (1974), Wat Chulamanee›Setting the record straight on two medals of Luang Pho Nueang Kovito — the first-edition medal of B.E. 2511 (1968) (the "no nu" code above the head, the "na" code on the saṅghāṭi robe, and the "no nu" code beside the ear that Luang Pho Itthi stamped on his master's orders before his passing) and the ecclesiastical-rank-promotion medal of B.E. 2517 (1974) (full ta kai and flat ta kai dies), together with the miracle of the yantra plate that would not melt.
• Talking at Length about Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem — Legend of the Mae Klong Waters (EP.1)›The history and legend of Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem, a standing Buddha image in the alms-bowl posture, one of the five sibling Buddhas of the waters, the guardian Buddha of Mae Klong, enshrined at Wat Phet Samut Worawihan, Samut Songkhram Province
• Chatting About Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem — The Legend of the Mae Klong River (EP.2)›The legend of the mantra "นะ มะ ระ อะ นะ เท วะ อะ" that Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem granted to subdue the cholera epidemic of B.E. 2416 (1873), leading to the making of the Champi-form medallion of Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem with Tao Wessuwan on the reverse, for the affairs of the Sangha of Samut Songkhram Province.
• A Chat About the Champi Medallion of the Kathin 9 Aram Edition›The Champi-form Tao Wessuwan medallion, "Kathin 9 Aram" edition (B.E. 2563 / 2020), created at the wish of Luang Pho Itthi to fund the Kathina offering to nine monasteries in Mae Klong, bearing the Maha Solot Mongkhon Trinisinghe yantra as the edition's signature mark.
• A Chat About the Sacred Alloy of "Charoen Suk 63"›Answering questions about the old sacred alloy blended into the "Charoen Suk 63" retro-style, straight-knee and bent-knee Tao Wessuwan cast statue of Wat Chulamanee — which editions it is composed of, and why the alpaka-alloy version was made in such small numbers.
• A Leisurely Talk on Tua Pae and Yi Pae — When You Cannot Ask a Boon from Above, Come Ask Us (EP.1)›A leisurely talk on Tua Pae and Yi Pae (the White Emissary and the Black Emissary of Yama) 黑白無常, the attendants of Phaya Yommarat — their origins, characters, and the legend of the filial piety and fidelity of Chia Pi-an and Fan Wujiu.
• A Chat About the Tua Pae Yi Pae — Decoding the Secret Meanings on the Medallion (EP.2)›Decoding the secret meanings of the Chinese characters and auspicious symbols on the Tua Pae Yi Pae medallion, which Luang Pho Itthi of Wat Chulamanee designed for the Sappharachen Foundation — the bat clutching coins, the White & Black Emissaries of Yama, and the Ariyasacca talisman-charm of Luang Pho Bao-oeng.
• A Chat About Tua Pae Yi Pae — When You Cannot Ask Blessings from the Powers Above, Come Ask Us (EP.3)›Unpacking the saying "When you cannot ask blessings from the powers above, come ask us" through the law of kamma and idappaccayatā, the dharma teaching of Somdet Phra Phutthachan (To), and the way to venerate Tua Pae Yi Pae — the Sappharachen Foundation edition
• A Fireside Chat — Why Phra Phuttha Chinnarat?›A fireside chat on why Phra Phuttha Chinnarat is the most-replicated Buddha image — from the time King Rama V had a copy cast for Wat Benchamabophit, to the reason Luang Pho Itthi chose to cast a replica of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat at Wat Chulamanee.
• A Fireside Chat — The Three Superlatives of Wat Chulamanee›A fireside chat on the three superlatives of Wat Chulamanee — the most-venerated Tao Wessuwan in Thailand, the most popular "Champi"-form medallion, and the largest cast-metal replica of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat in Samut Songkhram province.
• The Master Craftsmen Who Sculpted and Restored the Thewasuwan Phrommasutithep›A record of the origins of the Thewasuwan Phrommasutithep Thada, the first such image at Wat Chulamanee — sculpted in Phetchaburi stucco in B.E. 2532 (1989) by Master Thongruang Em-ot, and restored in B.E. 2564 (2021) by Master Thawan Chanhom.
• The Consecration of the Champi '45 Medal — A Miraculous Night in the Ordination Hall›A fireside tale of the great Buddhābhiṣeka and deva-consecration of the first-edition Champi medal, B.E. 2545 (2002) — the auspicious timing, the propitiation rite, the roll of 26 master monks, and the marvel of Luang Pho Khaek Pabhaso.
• The Thewabodi Medal — Nine Divine Heads over the Great Emperor Yantra›A fireside tale of the Thewabodi medal (the "nine-head medal") of Wat Chulamanee, B.E. 2542 (1999) — the nine great teacher-deities, the Great Emperor (Maha Chakraphat) yantra, its consecration, and Luang Pho Itthi's compassion for his disciples.
• The Divine Weapons of Legend — From the Spirit Dagger to the Five-Weapon Yantra›A fireside tale of the five divine weapons (the Panca-mahā-thepāvudh that vanquish all foes), Luang Pho Doem's "divine weapons" incantation, and how it became the five-weapon yantra on the reverse of the "Charoen Sap 2564" champi medal.
• Twenty Years of the Champi Tao Wessuwan Medal›A fireside tale of how the "Champi '45" medal of Wat Chulamanee came to be — the origin of its shape, its double-Buddha yantra, and the great consecration rite of B.E. 2545 (2002).