Por Sala Tan

This Somdej Bailan is an old piece, around 60 years of age, preserved first in a custom carpentered wooden frame with aluminium edging and now further secured in a silver casing for protection and presentation. The amulet is crafted from bailan powder, the sacred ash of palm-leaf manuscripts once used to inscribe Buddhist scriptures, a material chosen to embody wisdom, protection, and the enduring weight of the dhamma.

Its history traces back to Suphanburi, where it was given by a monk who lived in a small cave temple near Wat Tham Suea. This monk was known as a quiet practitioner and a great admirer of Somdej Phra Buddhacharn Toh, drawing inspiration from his legacy and creating or keeping such Somdej-style images to pass on to dedicated students. The piece was eventually handed down to one of his students, who later brought it north, where it came into the possession of Por Sala Tan.

For Por Sala Tan, this Somdej Bailan would have held a special role among his collection. Known for working with fierce animist relics and esoteric charms, he also valued amulets like this for their grounding in Buddhist sanctity. The Somdej served as a stabilising presence on his altar—balancing strong occult forces with the calm authority of the dhamma and reinforcing his practice with the merit of Buddhist tradition.

The casing itself marks the care given to this amulet through time. The original wooden-aluminium frame reflects central Thai craftsmanship of the period, while its later preservation in a finely worked silver box ensures both dignity and longevity. What remains is not just an amulet but a vessel of continuity, carrying the faith of the Suphanburi monk, the devotion of his student, and the respect of Por Sala Tan.

Blessings of the Somdej Bailan

This Somdej Bailan carries blessings traditionally associated with Somdej amulets and enhanced by its bailan material and long spiritual history:

• Protection from Danger (Klaew Klaad, Kong Grapan) – shields against accidents, misfortune, and harmful intent.

• Authority and Respect (Maha Amnaj) – grants commanding presence, earning recognition and deference from peers, colleagues, and superiors.

• Merit and Spiritual Weight – wearing or keeping the amulet is akin to carrying the essence of sacred scriptures, bringing merit, stability, and inner calm.

• Wealth and Stability (Maha Lap) – attracts steady fortune and resources, especially when used with mindfulness and moral conduct.

• Support for Meditation and Wisdom – strengthens concentration and contemplation, guiding the keeper toward clear decisions and spiritual growth.

This Somdej Bailan thus stands as a bridge of lineages—rooted in devotion to Somdej Toh, carried north by students of faith, and preserved in the collection of a master. It embodies Buddhist sanctity, animist balance, and the enduring blessings of protection, authority, merit, and wisdom, now secured for the next generation.