Temples In Thailand: Ubon Ratchathani - Wat Par Jao Sua

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Ubon Ratchathani - Wat Par Jao Sua - Ya Kru Jun

In a lesser known monastery in northeast Thailand Ubon Ratchathani, there is a master by the name of Ya Kun Joon or Aj Joon (Note: In Northeast Thailand YA KUN is equivalent to the central call Aj).

YKJ is a very low key monk who does not want to be famous. As such, YKJ will refuse to have photos taken when newspaper & magazines reporters and worshippers come to visit the monastery. If you do want to take photos, you could only shoot his back or side.

Ya Kun Joon

YKJ was an unknown/insignificant monk with strong practice in meditation. During one such session, YKJ saw LP Sangthaow (of Wat Kongchin), who is LP Tim’s (of Wat Lahanrai) uncle and mentor and from whom LP Tim inherited the book of Wicha and Akrom. It is from this book in later life (BE2517) that LP Tim found the secret to the making of Phong Prai Guman.

From LP Sangthaow, YKJ learnt the method of making Prai Kanya to create amulets of unexpected strength (Note: Prai Kanya refers to girl's ashes). Prai Kanya is not easy to find as the girl's ashes must be a female adult, plus the day of birth and the day of passing must fall on the same day. The body must be registered and approved by the Buddhist Association before the temple can collect the “raw material”, otherwise it will not be auspicious.

At that time YKJ did not have access to the Prai Kanya or know where to look for the materials to create the amulets. Unexpected event happen and news reach YKJ regarding a family who had lost their daughter in a tragic traffic accident. The girl’s name was NID and she was born on March 7th (Saturday) and passed away on March 7th.

Mae Nid

Image from the editor / owner of Kampee News

The cremation was carried out three days later on a Tuesday (Note: Because YKJ did not specify the girl age and personal details, people have speculated that Mae Nid’s DOB in the Buddhist calendar is March 7th, 2530 and died in the Buddhist calendar March 7th, 2552). YKJ visits Mae Nid’s family, and asked them for permission to use the ashes to make amulets. The family agreed to YKJ request.

In the manufacturing process, the "Prai Kanya" will be joined by 6 other external powders, which include:

1. Holy powders made by YKJ himself such as Phong Prai (holy powder) from LP Sangthaow.

2. Phong Wat Rakhang (using chalks and write Katha on the black board then collect the chalk powders and repeated 7 times) from Somdej Toh of Wat Rakhang.

3. Phong Phra Maha Thera (holy powder) from Somdej Phrawannarat who is teacher of King Naresuan.

4. Phong Samret That Kasin (holy powder) from LP Kob of Wat Khao Salika, which YKJ kept for 20 years.

5. Prai Maha Phut Thongkham.

6. Nok Yoong Thong from LP Mun’s method.

Others ingredients include

1. Takrut Salika Jaturat Saraphat Gun created using LP Khee Hom’s method

2. LP Suang bank notes

3. Wahns, tree which die as a result of lightning strike

According to YKJ, the secret of Prai Kanya is one part mystery and the other part is the creation of the Khun Paen itself. YKJ explained that he has broken the exact code for Phra Khun Paen creation and that exact code is 7-3. This exact code and its special ingredients allow the special creation of Khun Paen Prai Kanya. This creation is based upon the alignment of the Sun, the Moon and the Stars at a specific time frame and this time frame occurred on Monday the 5^th April 2557. This is the sole reason why YKJ refuses to make any other Prai Kanya batches as well as blessing any amulets thereafter.

All KP Prai Kanya are produced using traditional method of hand pressing and from only one mould. As a result, each KP produced had its own uniqueness such as different thickness, different amount of powders, the position of the temple stamps and its takrut.

After the KP Prai Kanya was created, these were given to worshippers who donated to the temple, regardless of the amount. After a short period of time, news spread among rural Thailand that these KP consistently made the wearers feel pretty good and have smooth daily lives. Those with businesses see their business booming and those who are sellers sell more than ever.

After a period of time, other temples seeked YKJ for the powders and continue with the making of KP Prai Kanya. This was to spread merit and at the same time raise funds for the temples. In less than two months, a total of 4,700 KP Prai Kanya were created.

There are 3 blessing ceremonies associated with the KP Prai Kanya, with all 3 days falling on Buddha Day which is considered auspicious:

1. March 30th, 2557 @ 1239h (subsequently placed in a large hall for blessing)

2. April 5, 2557 @ 1449h (subsequently placed in a large hall for blessing)

3. April 19, 2557 @ 1509h (completed after three opening, placed in the temple)

The following is the distribution of this version of the amulets:

1. The fire and water compatible meat / YAMOK PA TI HAN (a total of 17 produced)

2. KAW NOP PA RAD (crystal white and have gems and limited to a total of 20 produced)

3. SI FA SUP WAR JUN NON ROISA (turquoise colour and limited to 30)

4. SI NAK (rose coloured and limited to 36)

5. Angels descend (paradise) meat / TEAWADA LONG SAWAN (a total of 38 produced)

6. PINK GOLDIT TRATAD IT PRAUBOSOT (rose coloured and limited to 40)

7. SI YA NAD (limited to 50)

8. LONG PIM (varieties of colours and limited to 53)

9. PHROM LOK (a total of 58 produced)

10. KUN KHUK (brown coloured and limited to 3,000)

11. WE CHE MAK (limited to 61)

12. THO (green in colour and limited to 47). YKJ made these for committee members.

A total of 4,700 pieces were produced by YJK. However, there are 1,250 extra pieces of which the colours and materials are not confirmed, pending the official announcement, and will be described in detail in the illustrations.

There are also Lok Ohm and Takruts for a total of 2,000.

When the KP Prai Kanya was first released in May BE2557, there was no pricing recorded for Limited Edition but the cost of regular Pim was between 2,000-2,500THB. After 3 months and with many miracles being reported, the price of regular Pim was pushed upwards to 3,000-3,500 THB about mid-September to early October period. With the official announcement of book release detailing the amulets in late December, a further increase was seen in price of the regular Pim which went up to 15,000-18,000THB. From past experience, the market price for particular amulets will go higher after the amulet book release. The speculation is that the price for regular Pim edition will remain high and the special edition Pim may go for between 25,000-200,000THB.

Due to its unprecedented success in such a short time frame, the student of YKJ has followed his master in releasing a second phase of KP Prai Kanya amulets (total of five colours, each colour is limited to 999 pieces, and a regular Pim, a total of 9,990). Luksit of YKJ asked if his master could perform the blessing of the amulets, but because he is a very low-key monk, his master refused the offer. So, as of to-date only one official batch of KP Prai Kanya has been released by Wat Pa Chao Sua. However, the special powder of Prai Kanya was offered to other temples.