Description
There has been a significant amount of confusion and controversy surrounding these amulets but that scholarly debate does little to detract from the unique beauty and desirability. If you are looking for a special Somdej amulet, trust me, you cannot go far wrong with this pim.
In the early years some experts even claimed that they were not somdej amulets because nothing quite like them had ever been seen before.
Public records tell us that Wat Chalermpragiat was built by King Rama III in dedication to HRH Princess Srisulalai, his mother on October 22, B.E.2390.
On March 4th, B.E.2393, Luang Phor Kes or formerly known as Pra Preechachalerm was invited to become first abbot of the temple.
Between the years B.E. 2401-2410, during the reign of King Rama IV, many sacred ceremonies were organized at the temple such as Chaired Buddha Image’s gold-covering ceremony, relic-situation ceremony, sacred-chedi construction ceremony, and so on.
These amulets were created and blessed during that same time frame by Luang Phor Kes, a very senior monk of his era, born BE 2348 and passed away in BE 2429, aged 81. I think you probably know by now where this is leading, and why the controversy.
The amulets themselves are made primarily from ground shells and cement, in fact an almost identical component mixture to those created by Somdej Pra Buddhachan Toh Promrangsi, the monk attributed with the creation of the first Somdej amulet. Initially the only reason that these amulets were disputed as Somdej pims was because of the design of the Buddha image which was totally unique to say the least.
Unique Design
Somdej Wat Chalermpragiat amulets, are in general almost identical in design to those created by Somdej Toh except for one unique and extreme difference. That is the Buddha images were enhanced by the addition of detail such as hair and facial features. In fact it is these very details now that make the identification of these amulets particularly easy, as no other Somdej amulet from any other temple were designed in a such a way.
Controversy
The biggest controversy surrounding these amulets today is inevitably whether Pra Somdej Buddhachan Toh blessed them. Most experts conclude that given the facts that this indeed would be highly probable, but no absolute proof exists as such.
Whether they were or not it is certainly indisputable that these are highly sacred amulets and unlike other pims that fall into a similar category these amulets are recognized in their own right due to the historical records. As such these amulets can be expensive with prices averaging about 400.00 – 2,000.00 USD.
The facts – What is known
1. They were created at a time that Somdej Toh was himself very active in creating and blessing amulets.
2. Both Somdej Toh and LP Kes were close friends
3. These amulets are made of an almost identical composition to those created by Somdej Toh.
4. Many sacred monks were in attendance at the blessing ceremony for these amulets but the exact names of those present is not known. However as t
Broken Kru
During the year B.E.2487-2488, thieves entered Wat Chalermpragiat, Nonthaburi Province, where they broke into the sacred chedi containing these Pra somdej pim. Many different designs of pim were contained within the chedi and the example above is Pim 5 chan GropGaew, or Buddha in meditation sitting on five-level base with frame
Other pims include
-Pim 3 Chan Yant Ha , or Buddha in meditation sitting on three-level base with sacred spell named Yant Ha
-Pim 3 Chan Yunt Ha(5) Niyom (or Pim Popular), Buddha in meditation sitting on three-level base with sacred spell named Yant Ha
-Pim 5 Chan Soom Dok Bua Si Dok, or Buddha in meditation sitting on five-level base surrounded by four lotus
-Pim 5 Chan Soom Krobgaew, or Buddha in meditation sitting on five-level base and surrounded by sacred frame
-Pim 5 Chan Yant Wa, or Buddha in meditation sitting on five-level base with sacred spell named Yant Ha
-Pim 7 Chan Yunt Wa, or Buddha in Meditatiion sitting on seven-level base with sacred spell called “Yant Wa”
-Pim 7 Chan Soom Krobgaew, or Buddha in meditation sitting on seven-level base and surrounded by sacred frame
-Pim Pra Buddhachinarach
-Pim 7 Chan Sair Yid, or Buddha in meditation sitting on seven-level base with sacred special spell
