The figure of Sangajayana, the monk of great fortune who lived in the Lord Buddha time around 2,500years ago, has been made in two transformed forms. The first one is Phra Kawampati (Pali Pronuncation) or Phra Kawambodi (Thai Pronuncation), which means the monk who does not look like Lord Buddha. After Sangajayana had magically transformed his body, he was called Kawampati. The word 'Kawam' means Lord Buddha while 'Pati' is a denial suffix and the other form of sangajayana is Phra Pit Thawan. Both figures have popularly been made by magic expert monks in small size as hanging amulets.
Practically, Thai amulet users call Phra Kawambodi in the plain word as 'Phra Pitta' which means the monk lifting his hands covering his eyes. Phra Kawambodi is made of various materials and is aimed at 3 main purposes.
The first which is for self attractiveness and fortune, the amulets are made from white holy powder plaster. The second is which is for self protection and fortune effects, the amulets are made from holy powder plaster mixed with black lacquer. The third which is for impenetrability or invulnerability, the amulets are made of various metals. In the past, other materials such as ivory tusk or even wood were also used to make amulets.
The figure of Phra Kawambodi is easy to remember for he has a round naked head with or without big potbelly, but his both hands are lifting up to cover his eyes.
For the figure of Phra Pit Thawan, it has a more magnificent form. Normally, Phra Pit Thawan has more than two hand, it is frequently made 3-4pairs of hands. The first pair covers his both eyes. The second pair covers his both ears while the third pair moves downward and bends to cover his anus. and, there may be the fourth pair to cover the navel.
What does each posture mean?
The answer is that the primary gate of all sufferings of human is caused by our sensory perception organs, that is eyes,ears,nose,tongue,trunk,and mind. Phra Pit Thawan ( In Thai, Phra means a monk figure, Pit means to close or to cover, Thawan means vents or outlets ) is hinting at controling those organs by covering them to prevent all sufferings to enter. Is that like the ostrich putting its long head into a sand hole to preceive nothing all around? NO!, it is absolutely not like that. He is hinting at a profound meaning of advanced dharma ( Buddha's teachings ), that is seeing is just seeing,touching is just touching, and knowing is just knowing. You realize all things that are happening with full consciousness but neutralized mind.
The good guality mind of this state will develop the inner body higher. You are not sensitive to all things shaking around, you have no extreme feelings of both great sorrow and delightfulness. But the most important thing is that you have peacefulness in your mind, and you can strongly stand up to every kind of sufferings. Many people practise this this great way and the miracle of mind automatically occurs. They have ESP, precognition, capability of out of body and healing powers. But most important thing is that one can use this clean mind to focus on dharma to reach the state of nirvana or nibbhan, that is the self enlighthenment.
The posture of Phra Pit Thawan teaches us to be alert on our own sensory perception organs by not allowing them to go freely but mastering them instead. The alert and full realization on all sensory perception organs is called by Thai Buddhistsn'Inciya Sangworn'. The Inciya Sangworn postures of both Phra Kawambodi and Phra Pit Thawan hint at the same meaning of dharma. But the Thai magic gurus of 'Saiya Vej' preferably interpreted the posture of Phra Pit Thawan as the good omen for 'Kong Kra Phan Chatri' the impenetrability or invulnerability. Why? It is because they believe that Phra Pit Thawan closes all its 'windows', so all kinds of sufferings and dangers cannot enter or even come close. Thai people call this 'Klaew Klad' the state of being well protected from all dangers.
Phra Pit Thawan is an old name, now popularly cslled 'Phra Pitta Maha Ut' which means the monk of great impenetrability with his hands covering both eyes. But practically, Thai amulet users also call Phra Pitta Maha Ut,in short as 'Phra Pitta', just the same as Phra Kawambodi. We must not confuse by their same short name because the old Phra Pitta of each temple has their own specific form. Among Thai amulet collectors, the word 'Phra Pitta' that is followed by the name of the temple of origin is clear enough for them to identify which Phra Pitta it is referred to.
Phra Pitta Maha Ut has also popularly been made in small amulet forms from silver based alloy, iron based alloy and bronze based alloy. Making Phra Pitta Maha Ut has more complicated religious ritual than Phra Kawambodi and with their superb designs, Phra Pitta Maha Ut always bears the ancient magic script for impenetrability or invulnerability purpose.
The script is as follows:
"The Earths four Essential Elements 'Na Ma Pa Tha' (earth, water, wind, and fire), the name of the five Buddhas 'Na Mo Bhut Tha Ya', The essence of the Three Diamonds 'A Oo Ma', or even a single universal magic character of 'Na' or 'Oo'.
Some gurus have created a high relief magic script of Phra Pitta Maha Ut, of which Thai amulet veterans call 'Yantra Sen Kha Nom Chine' which means the spaghetti liked script. Some old Phra Pitta Maha Ut are very expensive and each can cost more than USD$20,000.00 per piece in Thailand with its weight not over 50grams. It is the world most expensive ordinary metal piece. Remember that all Thai Amulet of every piece and every kind must be blessed, without exception, through the consecration rituals performed by meditative gurus, otherwise they are fake or ineffective amulet for wearing. It is just like when you pick up a piece of rock or metal on the street and wear it on your neck.
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