Wat Suthat (Sangkaraj Yensanwong)

Thao Wessuwan Thanabodi Nawat — Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara and Luang Pu Kahlong, Wat Suthat

• Master / Lineage: Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara (Sangkaraj Yensanwong), 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara; consecrated by Luang Pu Kahlong (Khiao Kaeo), Wat Khao Laem, Sa Kaeo
• Temple: Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok
• Year: B.E. 2551 (2008)
• Materials: Nawat (sacred mixed metal), Wat Suthat
• Size: 1 inch, small and easy to wear
• Casing: Thick Thai Gold frame (80%) (Worth $400)
• Name: Thao Wessuwan Thanabodi B.E. 2551 

Summary

This antique-style cast Thao Wessuwan comes from the Thanabodi batch of Wat Suthat Thepwararam, issued in B.E. 2551 (2008). The great guardian stands upright with his club held before him. The piece is blessed by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the 19th Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, and was consecrated by Luang Pu Kahlong of Wat Khao Laem.

At 1 inch and set in a gold frame, it is a small and practical piece for daily wear, carrying the guardian tradition most closely associated with Wat Suthat.

Historical Background

Thao Wessuwan is the Thai name for Vessavana, one of the Four Great Kings of Buddhist cosmology. He watches over the northern direction, rules the yakshas and other unseen beings, and is honoured as a protector of the Buddha's teaching and as a lord of wealth. The batch name Thanabodi, meaning lord of riches, reflects this role.

Wat Suthat Thepwararam is one of Bangkok's most important royal temples and the home of a celebrated Thao Wessuwan tradition. Temple accounts trace it to around B.E. 2492 (1949), when Phra Mongkhon Ratchamuni (Chao Khun Si Sonthi), a close disciple of Somdet Phra Sangkharaj Phae, made small cast Thao Wessuwan figures for the craftsmen and villagers building an ordination hall at Wat Si Chom Thong in Saraburi. The workers reported that the disturbances troubling them ceased, and the standing, club-bearing Thao Wessuwan became the model for later Wat Suthat pieces. The Thanabodi batch continues this antique cast style.

Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, born Charoen Khotchawat in B.E. 2456 (1913), attained the highest level of Pali studies and served as abbot of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara for more than five decades. He was installed as Supreme Patriarch on 21 April B.E. 2532 (1989) and was widely respected for his scholarship, meditation practice and steadfast adherence to the Dhamma and Vinaya. This piece dates from his years as Supreme Patriarch.

Origins of the Materials

The figure is cast in Nawat, a traditional sacred mixed metal from Wat Suthat. Batch records describe the Thanabodi pieces as cast in the antique manner, following the formula of Chao Khun Si Sonthi's original Wat Suthat Thao Wessuwan. The result is a small, free-standing guardian made to be carried on the body.

Ritual

Batch records state that the Thanabodi pieces were consecrated in the ordination hall of Wat Suthat Thepwararam, with Luang Pu Kahlong (Khiao Kaeo) of Wat Khao Laem, Sa Kaeo, performing the consecration on 14 September B.E. 2551 (2008). One record also notes a consecration by several respected masters in the same ordination hall on the full-moon night of the twelfth lunar month that year.

Blessings and Effects

This piece is blessed by Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, joining the Wat Suthat guardian tradition with the spiritual standing of Thailand's 19th Supreme Patriarch. The Thanabodi batch was dedicated to five blessings: wealth, sacred power, spiritual strength, loving-kindness and prestige.

Devotees traditionally turn to Thao Wessuwan for protection from harm, negative influences and unseen disturbances, and for support with good fortune, prosperity and the safekeeping of property. As king of the guardians, he is also regarded as a source of authority and steadiness.

Modern Application

Its small size makes it easy to wear every day, at work, while travelling or at home. Many devotees choose Thao Wessuwan when running a business, taking on leadership responsibilities or looking for prosperity, protection and confidence during change.

Recommended Pairing

Thao Wessuwan pairs well with a Buddha image