Rian Phaya Tao Lor Trimas Phra Sankajai • BE 2525
Luang Pu Liew Wajasit — Wat Rai Taeng Thong (Nakhon Pathom) • Sanam Chandra Palace Restoration Edition
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Struck in BE 2525 (1982 CE) under Luang Pu Liew Wajasit at Wat Rai Taeng Thong, this medallion exemplifies a refined iconography: Phra Sankajai seated upon Phaya Tao Lor (sacred turtle). Issued to support the restoration of Sanam Chandra Palace, its production reflects a careful ritual chronology and the temple’s commitment to conserving royal and Buddhist heritage through sacred craft.
Contextual Insight: In Thai material culture, Tao (turtle) motifs symbolize ayuyuen (longevity), shelter, and steady wealth, while Phra Sankajai embodies wise contentment and auspicious fortune. The Trimas (three-month) blessing cycle — often aligned with a Buddhist rains-retreat period — enhances devotional value by sustaining continuous chants and meditative empowerment across lunar phases.
Wat Rai Taeng Thong cultivated a precise discipline in wicha Tao (turtle-related sacred knowledge), for which Luang Pu Liew became widely respected. The medallion’s iconography fuses the turtle’s protective, wealth-nurturing symbolism with Phra Sankajai’s serene wisdom — a blend that devotees interpret as steady prosperity guided by clarity and restraint.
| Main Material | Nur Thong Phasom (mixed sacred brass), with devotee-offered metals and yantra plates |
| Casting Method | Lost-wax process; crisp relief; period-correct file lines along rim and loop |
| Ritual Chronology | Trimas empowerment (3 months), sustained chanting and meditation; aligned with lunar phases |
| Dimensions / Weight | 7.0 × 3.5 × 2.0 cm • 127.90 g (large format) |
| Purpose / Benefaction | Proceeds dedicated to Sanam Chandra Palace restoration |
| Notable Feature | Issued with waterproof casing for devotional wear |
According to Thai Buddhist belief, the pairing of Phaya Tao Lor and Phra Sankajai supports metta mahaniyom (social goodwill), chok-laap (good fortune), klaew-klaad (danger aversion), and ayuyuen (longevity). Devotees wear this rian for steady progress in livelihood and calm protection in travel and business.
Traditionally viewed as a balanced wealth-and-wisdom amulet: the turtle grounds one’s pace and stability; Phra Sankajai refines judgment and contentment. The Trimas empowerment is said to preserve these qualities with enduring effect in daily practice.
Within the Phaya Tao genre, the BE 2525 Sanam Chandra Palace edition is recognized as collector-grade when preserved with clear relief and period patina. Its documented charitable purpose, large format, and Trimas ritual lineage give it long-term cultural and study value.
This medallion exemplifies a sacred composition where iconography, metallurgy, and consecration align. For students of Thai Buddhist material culture, it offers a concise case study in how provenance and ritual chronology shape both devotional meaning and collectability.
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Disclaimer: The information presented in this write-up is intended strictly for educational and reference purposes. It has been compiled in alignment with academic approaches to the study of Thai Buddhist material culture, incorporating traditional beliefs, historical context, and widely accepted collector insights. While details about authentication and provenance are provided to support scholarly exploration and personal appreciation, they must not be construed as definitive proof of authenticity or used for any legal, commercial, or forensic validation.