The legend "Luang Pu Thuat steps on seawater to make it fresh" tells of a miracle by Somdej Chao Phang Pakal (Luang Pu Thuat) during a boat trip to Ayutthaya when fresh water ran out. He displayed his supernatural power by stepping on seawater, turning it into fresh water. This is the origin of his nickname and the enduring legend of protection from harm, summarized as "Wearing Luang Pu Thuat means you won't die suddenly."
"Luang Pu Thuat, Large Iron Back mold, Wat Chang Hai, 1962."
This Luang Pu Thuat edition was patronized by Prince Chalermpol Tikampon, who based the design on the 1954 Luang Pu Thuat amulet made of herbal material but created this version in metal. Prince Chalermpol Tikampon instructed Ajarn Sawat to cast Luang Pu Thuat metal iron back amulets in three types:
Large iron back mold.
Medium and small iron back molds. Additionally, some were stamped on the back with inscriptions, divided into large mold with "Tor" character and plain, and small mold with "Tor" character and plain.
When the large iron back amulets were cast, some had imperfect impressions, so new molds were made and the imperfect amulets were restamped, creating the large iron back restamped amulets. Most medium molds were poorly cast, requiring new molds and almost all were restamped. Thus, medium iron back amulets are mostly restamped, with a few well-impressed ordinary medium molds, which are rare and called ordinary medium iron back amulets.
The Luang Pu Thuat book back amulets were all stamped in Bangkok. Once completed, they were gradually sent to Ajarn Tim for consecration at Wat Chang Hai. The 1962 edition is made of mixed metal; some amulets have a reddish tone, others yellowish, with a few made from ore and Mekapat material.
The consecration ceremony was a major event at that time, preceded by a three-day celebration from 17 to 19 May 1962. After the ceremony on the morning of the 19th, devotees flocked in such numbers that amulets had to be handed out through windows. Besides the iron back and book back Luang Pu Thuat amulets, the ceremony included the herbal material Pinaiyam edition, the 4th edition coins, and some herbal amulets from Wat Muang, Yala.
Today, the Wat Chang Hai Luang Pu Thuat iron back amulets are highly sought after by collectors for protection and auspiciousness. Prices are very high for all molds, especially the Navaloha metal type, which was produced in the smallest quantity and can reach seven figures or more.
Chant Namo three times.
Namo Bodhipanyo Mahalarop Parimitta.
Namo Bodhisatto Akantimaya Itipakava.