The origin story of Luang Pho Pan's clay amulets.
Creation and beliefs: Luang Pho Pan made clay amulets to preserve Buddhism by mixing five sacred powders—the powders of the Buddha's virtues, the Dhamma, the Sangha, the Paccekabuddha, and the Tipitaka scriptures—into the amulet, endowing it with high sacred power.
Biography of Luang Pho Pan.
He was born on 16 July 1875, one of seven siblings. His father was Aj Sutthawong and his mother was Im Sutthawong.
They were farmers. His parents named him “Pan” because he had a distinctive birthmark—a red mole on his left little finger from the base to the tip.
He was born in Village 5, Bang Nom Kho subdistrict, Sena district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.
He was ordained at age 21 on 1 April 1895, a Monday, the 7th lunar day of the 5th month of the year of the Goat. His preceptor was Luang Pho Sun of Wat Bang Pla Mo, with Phra Ajarn Joy of Wat Ban Paen as the sermon teacher, Phra Ajarn Un of Wat Suthapoch as the recitation teacher, and he received the monastic name “Sonantho.”
Luang Pho Pan's amulets from Wat Bang Nom Kho, Bang Nom Kho subdistrict, Sena district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province.
These amulets are well known among amulet enthusiasts, especially today.
Although Luang Pho Pan did not specify that each amulet design had different powers,
amulet collectors believe that each design has its own distinct Buddhist virtues.
There is a saying about the virtues of Luang Pho Pan's amulets:
“Birds farm, roosters forage, hedgehogs roam forests, fish trade, Garuda commands, Hanuman serves in government.”
“Birds farm” refers to Luang Pho Pan's bird-shaped amulets, which are believed to bring success in agriculture and farming, suitable for those involved in planting crops.
“Roosters forage” means rooster-shaped amulets, believed to bring charm, luck, and success in professions involving frequent interaction with people.
“Hedgehogs roam forests” means hedgehog-shaped amulets, believed to offer protection against dangers and forest spirits, suitable for those working closely with forests and wild areas.
“Fish trade” means fish-shaped amulets, believed to bring success in commerce, especially water-based trade.
“Garuda commands” means Garuda-shaped amulets, believed to bestow great power and command respect and fear.
“Hanuman serves in government” means Hanuman-shaped amulets, believed to help success in government service or general employment.
Luang Pho Pan of Wat Bang Nom Kho holds significant meaning in the use of every amulet design. Today, this summary is shared for everyone's knowledge.