Phra Phawana Kosol Thera, known as Chaokhun Tao or Luang Pu Iam of Wat Nang, was a revered monk highly respected by King Rama V. The King once visited the temple and personally took a photograph of Luang Pu Iam.
Luang Pu Iam created various sacred objects, including takrut scrolls, medallions, Phra Chaiwat statues, and wooden-carved Phra Pidta amulets with metal Phra Pidta. Among these, the “Mak Tuy” amulet from Wat Nang is the most famous talisman.
Luang Pu Iam was born in 1832. He was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Nang at age 19 and was fully ordained as a monk at Wat Ratchaworot in 1854. He later moved to Wat Nangnong to study under Luang Pu Rod of Wat Nangnong.
During the reign of King Rama IV, he relocated to Wat Khon On with Luang Pu Rod. After Luang Pu Rod passed away (around 1867 to 1870), he became the abbot of Wat Khon On, succeeding him.
In 1898, King Chulalongkorn ordered him to move to Wat Nang, where he stayed for about 28 years. He was granted the highest ecclesiastical title “Phra Phawana Kosol” and received the royal award of the “Fan made of woven ivory,” a fan given only to monks expert in Vipassana meditation. Luang Pu Iam passed away on 26 April 1926 at age 94, having been ordained for 72 years. The making of the Mak Tuy is quite intricate, especially sourcing the naturally dried betel nuts (standing dead trees), so fewer were made compared to other amulets. The size of Mak Tuy varies but is generally small due to the shrunken nuts. Some nuts are shriveled. After completion, owners often braid a cord and lacquer it for durability to hang on themselves. There are also bare Mak Tuy without braiding or lacquer, where the age of the sapwood used to fill is a sign of authenticity.
The process and steps to create the Mak Tuy are similar to those for making sacred amulets, so it holds the same spiritual power as Luang Pu Iam’s other amulets and talismans. It is a valuable item to carry because it is lightweight, easy to carry, and not prone to breaking if dropped. Whoever carries one is considered very auspicious.