Tao Wessuwan of Wat Chulamanee — Journey's End for the Faithful
The journey of this whole book ends at Wat Chulamanee in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram — a temple over three hundred years old, where the vision of Luang Pho Itth became the renowned Tao Wessuwan that has kindled faith across the land. The closing chapter of this book.
Our long journey is about to come to its close, here at this place.
We began from the fierce face seen everywhere, traveled back to Kubera of ancient belief, ascended to Mount Sumeru and the Cāturmahārājika heaven, came into the presence of the Buddha on the night of the Āṭānāṭiya Sutta, roamed the Buddhist world across cultures, and learned the right way to venerate him. Now we have returned to the place where everything began in the present age — Wat Chulamanee.
An Ancient Temple Beside the Amphawa Canal
Wat Chulamanee stands in Bang Chang Subdistrict, Amphawa District, Samut Songkhram Province. It is an ancient temple more than three hundred years old, set amid the shaded, tranquil atmosphere of the canals of Amphawa — a land renowned for its waterside way of life and its serene beauty.
Before the temple's name resounded far and wide because of Tao Wessuwan, Wat Chulamanee was already a temple of importance and long history, a center of spiritual life for the people of Amphawa for many generations.
The Atmosphere of Amphawa
One of the charms of visiting Wat Chulamanee is the atmosphere of the town of Amphawa that surrounds it — the floating market, the way of life along the canal, and the cool, peaceful quiet. To come and pay homage to Tao Wessuwan here is therefore more than asking for blessings; it is also to drink in the air of a beautiful old town.
The Vision of Luang Pho Itth
The heart of the story of Tao Wessuwan of Wat Chulamanee lies in the vision of the abbot — Luang Pho Itth, or Phra Khru Sophitwiriyaphon.
As it has been told from one to another, Luang Pho Itth once had a vision in which Tao Wessuwan appeared and led him on a journey to behold the realm of Yama. After that vision, Luang Pho made a solemn resolve that, when he returned to the human world, he would raise an image of Tao Wessuwan at Wat Chulamanee, so that people might come to pay homage and venerate it, and so that it might serve as a reminder to persevere with diligence in doing good and in following an honest livelihood.
From that solemn resolve there arose the beautiful image of Tao Wessuwan, which in time became renowned and a center of faith for people throughout the country.
A Profound Meaning
Notice that Luang Pho Itth's intention in raising the image was not merely so that people might come to ask for fortune, but so that it might "serve as a reminder for people to do good and to work diligently and honestly." This accords, in a marvelous way, with the essence of right veneration that we have recounted throughout this whole book.
Kindling Faith Across the Land
Tao Wessuwan of Wat Chulamanee became an important starting point for the wave of devotion to Tao Wessuwan in the present age.
Through belief in his sanctity, accounts of prayers fulfilled, and word passed on through social media, people came flowing to pay homage at Wat Chulamanee in an unbroken stream. From an ancient temple beside the Amphawa canal, it became a landmark of faith known to the whole country.
And it was from this very Wat Chulamanee that the wave of popularity spread outward, until images of Tao Wessuwan came to be raised and venerated at temples and places throughout the country, as we see today.
Coming to Pay Homage
For those who wish to come and pay homage to Tao Wessuwan of Wat Chulamanee in person, the veneration follows the way we set out in the part on veneration.
It is customary to prepare 9 incense sticks and 9 roses (red or white), or a marigold garland; to settle the mind in calm, recall the Triple Gem, recite the Namo three times, and then chant the verse for venerating Tao Wessuwan in the Wat Chulamanee form, as given in Chapter 14. After that, set the mind to make a wish and pour water to dedicate the merit.
Before You Travel
Since opening and closing hours, travel routes, and various details may change, those who wish to visit should check the temple's latest information before setting out, for the convenience of coming to pay homage.
A Destination That Is a Beginning
And this is the journey's end of this book.
But in truth, this end turns out to be a "beginning" of something — for once we understand Tao Wessuwan deeply, from his roots in the name Kubera, his station in the cosmos, his role as protector of the Dhamma, all the way to right veneration, our way of paying homage from this point on is bound to change forever.
We will no longer pay homage merely to a fierce-faced statue from whom to ask for fortune, but will pay homage with an understanding of his great and beautiful nature — the King of Yakshas who upholds the Dhamma, the god of wealth who is a model of giving, and the guardian of Buddhism filled with faith.
A Closing Word
May all readers who have traveled to the end of this book receive both knowledge and a right understanding of Tao Wessuwan, and take his virtues — devotion to the Dhamma, the spirit of giving, and steadfastness in goodness — as a guiding light in life.
May the majestic power of Tao Wessuwan, the great Heavenly King, protect and keep you, the reader, that you may meet only with happiness, prosperity, and safety, forever.
The End