KHUN PAEN AMULET OR PHRA KHUN PAEN
Khun Paen is the name of a legendary Ayuthaya warrior living some 450 years ago. His name later became the name of a kind of votive tablets found at Wat Bankrang, Suphanburi Province, about a century ago. It is amulets collectors of the previous generation who named such the votive tablets "Khun Paen" just because the name was widely known to Thai people as an important legendary figure. There is actually no relation between the votive tablets themselves and Khun Paen. And the figure image appears on the votive tablet is Lord Buddha, not Khun Paen in human being.
Practically and systematically, Thai votive tablets (amulets of Buddha image) of every kind have their own general names. It is amulets collectors of the previous generation named some kind of amulets "Khun Paen" just for easy-to-remember purpose. And it is quite clear that all general names of Thai votive tablets originated after they had been found, not orginated at first-made in the ancient time.
Practically and systematically, Thai votive tablets (amulets of Buddha image) of every kind have their own general names. It is amulets collectors of the previous generation named some kind of amulets "Khun Paen" just for easy-to-remember purpose. And it is quite clear that all general names of Thai votive tablets originated after they had been found, not orginated at first-made in the ancient time.
But anyway it was widely said that such the votive tablets had miraculous effects on self protection, loving kindness and invulnerability. The image of Khun Paen is most appropriate for wearing when having a business negotiation with someone or business joint-venture. Having it will bring unexpected good results in addition to ushering in wealth for the owner, deciphering danger, and improve affinity with others through making difficult people to work with us.
Meanwhile it was rumored that they had lady-attraction effect. This is why most Thai ladies do not want their husbands wearing the amulet Khun Paen, fearing that they may be so attractive to other ladies!!
Please keep in mind that the clever frauds pick out some points of Khun Paen's legend to make fiction-based amulets Khun Paen. They deceive people to gain money!!
PLEASE BE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ALL THOSE STRANGE-LOOK KHUN PAENS ARE JUST NEW ARTS CREATION, NOT AMULETS FOR WEARING!!
We strongly stress here with cautions because so many of my foreign Net readers have been misunderstanding about the amulets Khun Paen. Those strange-look Khun Paens cannot protect the wearers!!
Legend of Khun Paen
Legendary Khun Paen lived between B.E. 2034-2072 (A.D. 1491-1529) He was born in Suphanburi Province (some 70 kms. Northwest of Bangkok) but grew up in the close-bordered Kanchanaburi Province, where the world wide well-known "Bridge over River Kwai" situated. He was a disciple of Acharn Kong, a magic-expert guru monk, for magical studies. Based on old legends, Khun Paen was handsome and very attractive to ladies. It's so he had many wives, and still many ladies fell in love with him. Khun Paen had magical knowledge. He used magic to make himself invulnerable and unseen to enemies, to change the marching track of the enemies to become labyrinthine field, and to change leaves of the tree to become wasps to sting enemies etc.
By Khun Paen's skillful fighting, he was appointed by the king to be Khun or a high-ranking military officer. His biography was far more extended and rather a fictitious story by poetic authors of the early Ratanakosin period or some 180 years ago. His baby-ghost son named Guman Thong, he used magic to create him from a dead baby in the dead Bua Klee's womb. Bua Klee was a Khun Paen's minor wife. As on a legend making Guman Thong is thrilling and has a complicated ritual.
The Origin of Phra Khun Paen
1. In Ayutthaya
In the former capital Ayutthaya Province, votive tablets Khun Paen were also found at these 3 historical sites:
1.1 At Wat Yai Chai Mongkol Temple
Khun Paen Kluab (coating) Gru Wat Yai ChaiMongkol is a top ranked of all Phra KhunPaen’s family. There were created in B.E. 2134 (A.D. 1591) by King Naraesuan. He made war against the Vice King of Myanmar and got the victory over Burmese. After returning to Ayutthaya, Phra Khun Paen was created in the purpose of victory celebration at Wat PahKaew or Wat YaiChaiMongkol. Somdej Phra Ponnarat, the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch, was the president in ceremony.
There are 2 major kinds of votive tablets found here:
A. Khun Paen "Kluab" (glaze) or glazed Khun Paen made from clay mixed with kaolin using Sawankaloke's porcelain techniques on creation.
Phra Khun Paen Kluab was created the first time at Wat YaiChaiMongkol. All votive tablets were glazed like porcelain technique at front side. At backside, no any coating but there would be only varnish flown to backside. Most of them would have fingerprint pressed at backside.
In all forms of Khun Paen sacred images, depicted by Lord Buddha’s image in the attitude of sub duing mara sitting on top of a lotus throne flanked by 2 pillars on each side with an embroidered rooftop.
- Aura's spectrum Glazed Khun Paen or Khun Paen Kluab Chappannarangsi (King caste)
Aura's spectrum glazed Khun Paen, Wat Yai ChaiMongKol
- Yellowish Glazed Khun Paen (People caste)
There are 2 moulds of Yellowish glazed votive tablets-Khun Paen Kluab, Wat Yai ChaiMongKol
1. Large Chest
1.1 High base
1.2 Low base
2. Khan-On or Small Chest
B. The other was Khun Paen "Bai Phutsa" of both terra-cotta and tin-based alloy.
Yellowish Glazed Khun Paen, Wat Yai ChaiMongkol Large Chest High base
Yellowish Glazed Khun Paen, Khan Oon or small chest, Wat Yai ChaiMongKol
Khun Paen Bai Phutsa, Wat YaiChaiMongKol, Terracotta
Khun Paen Bai Phutsa, Wat YaiChaiMongKol, Tin base alloy
Khun Paen Bai Phutsa, Wat YaiChaiMongKol, Edge cut -Tin based alloy
1.2 At Wat Monthien Temple, called Khun Paen "Bai Sema", terra - cotta.
Khun Paen Bai Sema, Wat Monthien
1.3 At Wat Rajaburana Temple, also called Khun Paen "Bai Phutsa". They are not terra-cotta but a thin tin-based alloy.
1.4 At Wat BanKling Temple, called "Glazed Khun Paen". Khun Paen Wat BanKling was found at Wat BanKling, Bangpa-in in B.E.2550. Glazed Khun Paen Wat BanKling was created by King Naresuan in the same Buddha consecrated ceremonty with glazed Khun Paen Wat YaiChaiMongKol but brought partially to contain at Wat BanKling.
Yellowish Glazed Khun Paen Khan Oon, Wat BanKling
1.5 At MaKhamYong Battle Field was created by King Naresuan in the same era with glazed Khun Paen Wat Yai ChaiMongKol, the special characteristic of Khun Paen TungMaKham Yong is dark surface due to flood all over TungMaKhamYong.
Yellowish Glazed Khun Paen Ok Yai (Large Chest), MaKhamYong Battle Field
All the votive tablets Khun Paen made in Ayutthaya period of between 300-500 years ago. So they are old antique amulets. The most well-known is of Wat Bankrang Temple, but the most expensive is of Wat YaiChaiMongkol Temple. And of the other three kinds are moderately popular and medium-priced. The pictures depict here in this content are amulets Khun Paen from those 5 sites. They are typical and standard amulets Khun Paen accepted by veteran Thai amulets collectors.
2. In Suphanburi
Khun Paen, Wat BanKrang
The most famous of Phra Khun Paen amulets is originated from Wat BarnKrang in Suphanburi Province that is said to be more than 400 years old. It is very difficult to find an ancient piece of BarnKrang origin today so, the price of a genuine piece is too steep for most people to own. For worshippers of this legendary warrior from the Ayutthaya bygone era, Phra Khun Paen that are just as effective in protection, loving kindness, invincibility and attraction.
Wat BanKrang is located at BanKrang District, Sriprachan, Suphanburi province which is the old temple. Wat BanKrang was built in Middle of KrungSri Ayutthaya era since the form of Buddhist architecture was squared-based stupa with indented corners
History of Phra Khun Paen, Wat BanKrang
The creator was Somdej Phra Naresuan, the King of the Ayutthaya Kingdom from B.E.2133 (A.D. 1590) until his death in B.E. 1605 (A.D. 1062). The age of Phra Khun Paen was over 400 years. Somdej Phra Naresuan was one of Siam's most revered monarchs as he was known for his campaigns to free Siam from Burmese rule. During his reign numerous wars were fought against Burma. The age of Phra Khun Paen was about 400-500 years.
The purpose of Phra Khun Paen, Wat BanKrang was to celebrate the victory over the battle with Burmese military after returning from the war against Burma. Another purpose was Buddhism inheritance.
Number of Phra Khun Paen creation was 84,000 units by 25 moulds. The word “Phra Khun Paen” was nominated in the later because Buddha’s grace and experience to wearer in effective of high popularity, attractive, free from harms, invincible as Khun Paen.
Natural of Phra Khun Paen, Wat BanKrang, the content of all amulets were terracotta mixed herbs and pollen. There were both fine-grained and coarse – grained content, completely drying and look soft. Most of them are coarse-grained content because of high composition of gravel which appeared on surface. The colors of amulets are brown, red, pale, green, black depending on temperature while burning. Harden soil stain was scarcely found due to embed under pagoda and keep in good condition
There are 25 moulds of Phra Khun Paen, Wat BanKrang accepted by the collectors sorted by popularity in the following:
1. Phra Khun Paen Pim Hah Lieam Ok Yai ( pentagon, big chest)
2. Phra Khun Paen Pim Hah Lieam Ok Lek ( pentagon, small chest)
3. Phra Khun Paen Pim SongPhon Yai ( Empowerment, Big size)
4. Phra Khun Paen Pim SongPhon Yai, ThanBua ( Empowerment, Big size, Lotus base)
5. Phra Khun Paen Pim SongPhon Lek ( Empowerment, small size)
6. Phra Khun Paen Pim TaoWanLoei ( Vine climbing)
7. Phra Khun Paen Pim SoomLuerb
8. Phra Khun Paen Pim BaiMaiRuang (Falling leaves)
9. Phra Khun Paen Pim BaiMaYom
10. Phra Plai Diew Pim PhraPraThan (big size)
11. Phra Plai Diew Pim NahDeva (Deva Face)
12. Phra Plai Diew Pim NahLersi (Hermit Face)
13. Phra Plai Diew Pim KhanOon (Tender arms)
14. Phra Plai Diew Pim SoomPraToo (Door arch)
15. Phra Plai Deaw Pim BaiPutsa
16. Phra Plai Deaw Pim SibEk or Pim KangPla
17. Phra Plai Khu Pim NahYak (Giant face)
18. Phra Plai Khu Pim Ok Krut Siean Toh (Garuda chest, big head)
19. Phra Plai Khu Pim Nah Deva (Deva face)
20. Phra Plai Khu Pim Nah Deva Jumbo (Deva face, big size)
21. Phra Plai Khu Pim Nah Krom (Round face)
22. Phra Plai Khu Pim Nah Lersi (Hermit face)
23. Phra Plai Khu Pim SongPang (2 posture: meditation and Mara Vichaya)
24. Phra Plai Khu Nah MonKol Klang (Fortune Face, Middle size)
25. Phra Plai Khu Nah MongKol Lek (Fortune Face, small size)
3. In Nontaburi
Glazed Khun Paen found in Nontaburi was created by King Naresuan in the same era with glazed Khun Paen Wat YaiChaiMongKol but brought partially to contain in Nontaburi by
3.1 At Wat CherngTai, Nontaburi which was found in B.E.2506
3.2 At Wat Ampawan, Nontaburit which was found in B.E. 2508
NEW-VERSION KHUN PAEN
Good and efficacious new-version Khun Paen made by Gurus are not so many. One among the best I would like to recommend-- is made by the late Luang Phor Aant Wat Phra Yatigaram, Ayuthaya Province. Luang Phor Aant was the closest disciple of Luang Phor Glaan, Wat Phra Yatigaram, which Thai people worship as a greatest Guru monk. Luang Phor Aant made Khun Paen amulets in B.E.2496 in style of the yellowish glazed Khun Paen, Wat YaiChaiMongkol.
Presently, LP Aant's Khun Paen amulet is also a rare-to-find item. Some other Gurus' Khun Paen could well be used so efficaciously, such as LP Puak of Wat King Kaew, LP Thir of Wat Palaelai, LP Kruen of Wat SangKho, LP Boi of Wat Manao, LP Taem of Wat PhraLoi, LP Daeng of Wat Thungkok, LP Thiam of Wat Kasattrathiraj, LP Rian of Wat NongBua, LP Kuay of Wat Kositaram, LP Tae KongThong of Wat SamNgam, LP Pae of Wat PikulThong, LP Chot of Wat Tano, LP Thoop of Wat Kae (Nang Lerng), LP Chaem of Wat Don Yai Hom, LP Dee of Wat Phra Roop, LP Juan of Wat Kaitia, etc.
