Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang • 118th Anniversary • BE2533
Somdej Phra Buddhacharya (To Phrommarangsi) • Commemorative Edition • 22 June 1990
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Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang — 118th Anniversary Edition (BE2533).
Background & Purpose
Produced to honor the 118th birthday of Somdej Phra Buddhacharya (To), this edition united devotional practice with conservation aims — proceeds supported restoration of Wat Rakhang’s sermon hall, a keystone of Thai Buddhist heritage.
Consecration & Ceremony
The rites combined Buddhist and Brahmin elements. The Victory Candle was lit by Somdej Phra Yansangwon (Supreme Patriarch). Over 120 senior monks joined the empowerment, including:
- Luang Por Mee, Wat Maravichai
- Luang Por Uttamu, Wat Wiwek
- Luang Por Tim, Wat Phra Khao
- Luang Por Mian, Wat Pho
- Other masters in the Somdej To lineage
Materials & Craftsmanship
| Matrix | Sacred Nur Phong powders blended with prior Wat Rakhang compositions and relic-linked remnants attributed to Somdej To traditions. |
| Pims (New Molds) | Somdej Prathan • Somdej Prak Bodhi • Somdej Than Sam • Somdej Khanaen • Somdej To portrait. |
| Other Items | Powder and metal amulets, Buddha images, commemorative coins; each batch receiving coordinated chanting cycles. |
Obverse — classic Somdej throne within arch.
Reverse — clean fields; powder stratification along edges.
Side profile — proportion and wall thickness typical of the edition.
Significance in Tradition
Phra Somdej Wat Rakhang is widely called the “King of Amulets”, anchored in the Benjapakee canon. The 118th Anniversary issue is valued for devotional potency, refined molds, and its direct memorial link to Somdej To’s legacy.
Summary
A concise union of devotion, heritage, and conservation: sacred powders, high-order chanting, and a landmark restoration cause. The edition remains compelling to devotees and collectors alike.
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Disclaimer: This article supports cultural and academic appreciation of Thai Buddhist heritage. Authentication notes aid study and collecting; they are not legal or forensic certification.