MS06

Phra Leela Satawas

Wat Suthat · Bangkok
B.E. 2500 (1957)
Pim Mee Khem (Niyom)
2 Inches
Mainstream Artifact
Samakom Certification Card (GI07-726C2)

---

Individual Craftsmanship

Although produced as part of a large national commemorative issue, each Phra Leela retains natural differences from the casting and finishing process. Variations can be seen in the metal tone, surface texture, mould definition and ageing of individual pieces, giving every surviving artifact its own character.

---

Personal Experiences Shared by Luksits

The 25th Buddhist Century Phra Leela has remained familiar to generations of Thai collectors because it represents something broader than the work of a single temple or master.

The blessing ceremony brought together respected monks and meditation masters from different parts of Thailand. For many luksits, this gives the artifact a particularly complete character for everyday wearing — covering traditional themes of protection, metta, progress and general auspiciousness.

Traditional accounts associate the series with protection, metta, progress, baramee and smoother movement through difficulties. The Walking Buddha itself reinforces this idea of continuing forward rather than remaining obstructed.

For those who appreciate older mainstream Thai Buddha amulets, it is a piece where historical significance, an important national ceremony and practical everyday wear come together naturally.

---

Summary

The Phra Leela 25th Buddhist Century was created in B.E. 2500 (1957) as part of Thailand's great commemoration of 2,500 years of the Buddhist era.

The project was closely connected with the establishment of Buddhamonthon at Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, and became one of the most recognisable national Buddhist issues of its period.

The amulets underwent two major consecration sessions at the ordination hall of Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan in Bangkok. Historical accounts describe 25 senior monks conducting formal Buddhist chanting and 108 invited masters participating in meditation and consecration. The combined ritual period is traditionally recorded as six days and six nights

The present example is the chin lead-alloy version, depicting the graceful standing Walking Buddha. Published historical accounts record approximately 2,421,250 chin-metal pieces, with another 2,421,250 produced in the clay and sacred-powder series.

---

Historical Background

B.E. 2500 was regarded throughout the Buddhist world as an important historical milestone — the traditional completion of 2,500 years of the Buddhist era.

Thailand marked the occasion with a major national programme of Buddhist activities. Among the most important was the development of Buddhamonthon, a large Buddhist centre at Salaya in Nakhon Pathom.

The Walking Buddha became closely associated with this project. A monumental Phra Leela Buddha image was planned as its central figure, while smaller Phra Leela amulets were created as part of the wider commemorative programme.

On 11 February B.E. 2500, King Bhumibol Adulyadej attended the inaugural ceremony at Wat Suthat in Bangkok. Historical accounts record the ceremonial casting of gold Walking Buddha images and the pressing of the first thirty clay-and-powder amulets during this occasion.

The resulting B.E. 2500 series became popularly known among collectors as the Phra 25 Phutthasattawat — the 25th Buddhist Century amulets.

---

Origins of the Materials

The metallic version is generally described as chin, with lead forming an important part of the alloy rather than the artifact being made simply from pure lead.

Traditional accounts describe a complex mixture incorporating lead, tin, antimony and other metals associated with sacred alloy preparation.

More importantly, inscribed sheets of metal were reportedly contributed by monks and masters from different parts of Thailand. These sheets had been written with sacred characters, yantras and katha before being sent for inclusion in the casting mixture.

Old sacred casting remnants and metal associated with earlier religious ceremonies were also incorporated into the alloy.

The finished metal therefore carried significance beyond its basic composition. Within Thai sacred-metal tradition, the accumulated ritual history of the ingredients was itself considered an important part of the artifact.

---

Ritual

The consecration of the B.E. 2500 series was conducted on an exceptional scale at Wat Suthat Thepwararam in Bangkok.

The amulets underwent 2 major consecration sessions:

1. 8 February B.E. 2500, with the royal foundation ceremony on 11 February
   
2. 2–4 May B.E. 2500

During the royal inaugural ceremony of 11 February B.E. 2500, twenty-five senior monks participated in Buddhist chanting. This was followed by an extensive consecration involving 108 invited monks and meditation masters from throughout Thailand.

The masters represented numerous temples and regional traditions, making the ceremony particularly notable.

After the larger production had been completed, a further major consecration was held before the amulets were distributed. Historical accounts therefore describe more than one important ceremonial stage rather than a single brief blessing.

This broad participation is central to the reputation of the series. The Phra Leela was not dependent upon the wicha of one individual master, but emerged from a national Buddhist ceremony involving many respected practitioners of that generation.

---

Blessings and Effects

The Phra Leela, or Walking Buddha, traditionally carries the symbolism of moving forward with awareness and overcoming the obstacles encountered along one's path.

Within Thai devotional tradition, the B.E. 2500 series has long been associated with metta, protection, klaew klad, baramee and general auspiciousness.

The walking posture also gives the image a natural association with progress. It is commonly regarded as suitable for those seeking smoother advancement in work, livelihood and personal affairs, as well as protection while travelling or moving between places.

For business owners and working professionals, the traditional interpretation can extend towards smoother opportunities, supportive relationships and steady progress rather than sudden fortune alone.

---

Modern Application

The B.E. 2500 Phra Leela remains particularly suitable as an everyday Buddha amulet.

Its slim upright form is comfortable for regular wearing, while its traditional blessings are broad enough to suit business, work, travel and daily life.

It is also historically approachable for newer collectors. Rather than requiring knowledge of a highly localised lineage, the artifact connects directly with a major national Buddhist event and one of the most ambitious consecration programmes of its era.

---

Physical Details

This example is a Phra Leela, or Walking Buddha, from the 25th Buddhist Century commemorative issue of B.E. 2500 (1957), ceremonially associated with Wat Suthat in Bangkok. It is made from the traditional chin lead-based sacred alloy, which has developed the characteristic dark grey to almost charcoal appearance seen on well-aged examples.

The front depicts the Buddha standing gracefully in the Leela posture, surrounded by a tall flame-shaped aureole and standing upon a small tiered base. The reverse carries the traditional sacred yantra composition associated with the issue.

On older chin examples, differences in surface tone, oxidation, casting definition and small imperfections are expected as part of their production and subsequent ageing.

The artifact shown is preserved within a gold-toned decorative inner frame and clear protective casing, allowing both sides of the original amulet to remain visible. It is also accompanied by an authenticity certificate, providing additional documentation for this particular piece.

---

Recommended Pairing

The Phra Leela is already a broad-purpose Buddhist artifact and can comfortably be worn on its own.

For those who prefer pairing, it works naturally with a Phra Somdej for metta and stability, Phra Sivali for livelihood and travelling fortune, or another traditional Buddha image associated with protection.

Its symbolism of forward movement also makes it an appropriate central piece for those entering a new career, developing a business or beginning another important stage of life.

---

Personal Notes

What makes the Phra Leela 25th Buddhist Century interesting to me is that its importance does not rest upon rarity alone.

The amulet creation on that occasion has been recorded as the biggest ever in quantity and a country greatest blessing ceremony by 108 great Guru monks.

More than two million chin examples were produced, yet behind them was a national Buddhist undertaking involving the establishment of Buddhamonthon, royal participation and an unusually large gathering of respected monks and masters.

It is therefore an artifact I view as a surviving piece of modern Thai Buddhist history, rather than simply another old amulet.

For an artifact created almost seventy years ago, it remains remarkably wearable today — simple in form, historically important and connected with one of Thailand's defining Buddhist commemorations of the twentieth century.