Kring - Medicine Buddha

[peacock]

Kring

Kring amulets are now made by many temples, but the most famous ones have long been cast and consecrated at the famed Wat Suthat temple in Bangkok, near the Giant Swing. A Kring amulet has a tiny pellet sealed inside the base which reputedly brings the bearer good luck and protection from harm when rattled.

Phra Kring is popularly known as “Ringing Amulet” by many. It was intended that when a Phra Kring is shaken, a ringing sound could be heard due to its metal cast hollow body containing a small ball bearing. In recent years Phra Kring amulet was referred to as “Medicine Buddha” probably due to its healing ability when carried along would cure illnesses.

Another amulet resemblance to Phra Kring is called Phra Chaiyawat. The close similarity between Phra Chaiyawat with Phra Kring is hard to be distinguished from the outlook. The only major difference is Phra Chaiyawat do not produce any ringing sound when shaken. Obviously Phra Chaiyawat does not contain a metal ball bearing inside its hollow metal casted body unlike Phra Kring.

All these varying terminology and differences in appearance does not alter the way that Phra Kring or Phra Chaiyawat bestow its protective energies to the worshipper.

To further explain Phra Kring and Phra Chaiyawat are actually mini statues that represent Lord Buddha’s image for the purpose of carrying anywhere for luck, guardianship and protection. In Cambodia, there has been a long tradition of Phra Kring worship called Kring Pathum that started the trend of “ringing amulet” in Thailand during the Sukhothai era. The worshipping of this iconic small size image containing a metal seed inside its hollow body does not confined in Thailand and Cambodia only but also spread over to China, Japan, Tibet and Vietnam.

Phra Chaiyawat is a Buddha statue (similar like Phra Kring) but without the metal seed concealed inside the metal casting. Therefore, it cannot produce any ringing sounds. A tradition had been passed down for many generations from master makers dictating that Phra Chaiyawat must be crafted first before Phra Kring. What it means is that Phra Chaiyawat must be the firstly crafted prior to Phra Kring in the same batch or edition.

Usually Phra Chaiyawat is smaller in size in comparison to a Phra Kring. An example is shown above in one of the dual piece edition issued by Wat Bowon. In essence, a Phra Chaiyawat smaller in size therefore it's not suitable to insert a ball bearing into the hollow body cast to produce a jingling bell sound when shaken.

Somehow we did notice that Phra Kring is more popular among worshippers and enthusiasts and they are being produced more to satisfy the market demand to serve as a protective talisman and ushring good fortunes and good health. But nevertheless Phra Chaiyawat is also capable to provide the same potent qualities as Phra Kring.

Arcane knowledge with complex ritual process is used in the creation of Phra Chaiyawat and Phra Kring. The process starts from collecting and acquiring organic and non-organic materials believed to have magical potency to be blended into the metal compound. Ritualistic steps are taken all the way using potent incantations and charms right through the finishing touches in order to make this talisman work. What makes these talismans unique is the choosing of an auspicious date and time for the metal casting, and the number of pieces. Method used in the making of such talisman depends on individual makers either by traditional moulding technique or modern casting technology. These high complex rituals and the utmost care taken in craftsmanship limit the production quantity despite high market demand.

The history of making Phra Kring in Thailand dated back to King Naresuan and Phra Somdej Panaret's era during Ayutthaya period. The scriptures for making Phra Kring states that in order to make an effective or "saksit" Phra Kring, the material combination must include 108 types of yantra from Takrut formations. However, the scripture was lost during the chaotic war time and later the secret making of a saksit Phra Kring was inherited by Somdej Sam Ploem a few decades later. The inheritence of this ancient scripture then went to Somdej Pavarit of Wat Bovorn in Bangkok.

However, Phra Kring wasn't popular until sometime in B.E.2520s when Phra Sangharat Pae from Wat Suthat Thepwararam revived the traditional scripture in the study of making effective saksit Phra Kring. The reason for the study and research was because of the astonishing result when an old Phra Kring Pavarit upon submerged into making holy water could miraculously cured His teacher, Somdej Vanarat Daeng from illness. Since then Phra Kring Wat Suthat became famous under Phra Sangharat Pae. The main reason for His success was largely due to Wat Suthat itself because the name Wat Suthat Themwararam is translated as "Temple In Heavens" surrounded by celestial devas and guardian angels. All Phra Kring editions prior B.E.2536 are moulded in front of the temple's main Ubosot because it was deemed a mythical spot full of devine energies to make the Phra Kring very saksit or effective. Today's Wat Suthat Phra Kring generation are no longer moulded at the front temple space as mentioned earlier. Nevertheless they are still popular among worshippers and collectors from all over the world.

One may be thinking what is the significance of shaking a Phra Kring in order to activate its resonating bell sounds. Well, in doing so you are actually activating the divine help from Phra Kring. To give an example for the purpose of activating the bell sounds by shaking the Phra Kring, I recall an explanation given by an old uncle and a collector himself. A perculiar example given was if somebody owes you debt, before you step out from your house to collect the debt, simply shake the Phra Kring and hear its bell resonance. If it rings, then you may proceed. If the Phra Kring doesn't ring at all, do not bother to go because it's telling you that it's not a significant day to collect debt from that person. Likewise, when in a dire situation, activating the bell in the same way may get the divine assistance from your faithful Phra Kring.