Waning public enthusiasm for Jatukham Rammathep amulets has left many Chiang Mai temples in deep financial trouble.
Sales of the talismans are too small to cover what temples spent to have them made.
Some temples have incurred debts in the millions of baht after they borrowed to produce the amulets, unaware their popularity would slump so soon.
Their predicament prompted the Chiang Mai Buddhism Office to organise a fair just for local temples to sell their amulets and earn money to repay their debts.
The one-week amulet bazaar opened last Friday at Lokmolee Temple in Chiang Mai's Muang district with more than 20 temples putting up stalls.
Abbot of Wat Phratat Doikoeng, Luangpor Boonsri, said his temple borrowed Bt5 million to make 200,000 amulets in August. It has sold just 1,000.
Before joining the amulet fair, the temple sought help from private sellers to market the talismans, he said.
"I have talked to abbots of other temples and they have the same problem. Some of them have debts of up to Bt10 million each," he said.
Phra Narin Khampipanyo of Wat Sanpaliang said it spent Bt2.5 million on making amulets five months ago.
Sales were especially good to start with. "But volume suddenly dropped as many other temples had amulets, too. Now the temple is more than Bt1 million in debt," he said.
Phra Narin said the Jatukham fair did not help boost sales. "We pay Bt4,000 a day to rent a stall but today we have sold five and made Bt500," he said.
The Nation
29 October 2007
Jatukam/Chatukam Amulet
I observed that Chatukam/Jatukam Amulet is a big hit in Malaysia right now. The are many people that have obtain this amulet.
Personally I didn’t have any of this amulet and don’t know much about it, however, here is some information from the web about the Jatukarm:
Once upon a time, many centuries ago (about 1700 years ago), it was a time of war and trouble. There lived a king and his princes. The elder prince named Jatukam and the other named Ramathep. After many years of war, the King finally conquered and managed to secure Sri Lanka into part of his Kingdom. There was a saying that the King possessed a sacred treasure, this was none other than the Holy relics of Lord Buddha. Before the King began his journey to the newly conquered land, he tasked the protection of the Relics to his two princes. And ordered them to guard it with their lives.
Some time later, the princes received information of plan by the enemy to capture the Relics. They immediately informed the King in Sri Lanka. The King instruction was to quickly bring the Relics via sea and head to Sri Lanka. Halfway through the journey, a thunderstorm stroke and their ships were sunken. Except the two princes, the rest of the crews did not survive.
The two princes were washed ashore, but well. Without the sea transport, they could no longer bring the Relics to Sri Lanka. They started praying sincerely to the Relics “Dear Enlighten One! If this land we step upon is a holy piece of land, then please guide us let us live a new life here. With our people, we shall guard and protected your Relics forever.”
Later the two princes built a temple on this holy land and with much hardwork, they also establish a wealthy and strong city. They brought new hope and peace to all the people. In remembrance to the great deeds by the two princes, they named this place Nakon Si Thammarat in their honour. This is now located at Southern of Thailand at present time. The temple that the two princes built for the Relics is Wat Mahathat, as it is known now.
Ever since then, after a few century, many people had travelled to Wat Mahathat to locate the Relics that were buried by the princes. Finally, they found a stone craving and the Relics buried at the Wat. The stories of the two princes were found engraved on this stone.
The two princes had done many great deeds and the greatest is by erecting the temple to house the Relics. And they promised to guard the Relics with their lives. They had earned respect from both the heavenly and earthly beings. Later, the people combined the two princes into one and named Tao Jatukam Ramathep, when praying to him. Tao Jatukam Ramathep becomes one of the most respected and popular deity in the South of Thailand. In olden days, Tao was used to address the noble one. It is believed that those that pray to Tao Jatukam Ramathep will be blessed with fulfilling life and better in all aspects in everyday work.
In Malaysia, there are many place that someone can get the Jatukam amulet. One of the place is the Chetawan Temple . I went there and saw there are some that avaiable… If anyone like to have a look, you may try to go there.
Here is some photo of the Chatukam that I take during the visit:
http://malaysia.mycheaptravelguides.com/jatukamchatukam-amulet/
Personally I didn’t have any of this amulet and don’t know much about it, however, here is some information from the web about the Jatukarm:
Once upon a time, many centuries ago (about 1700 years ago), it was a time of war and trouble. There lived a king and his princes. The elder prince named Jatukam and the other named Ramathep. After many years of war, the King finally conquered and managed to secure Sri Lanka into part of his Kingdom. There was a saying that the King possessed a sacred treasure, this was none other than the Holy relics of Lord Buddha. Before the King began his journey to the newly conquered land, he tasked the protection of the Relics to his two princes. And ordered them to guard it with their lives.
Some time later, the princes received information of plan by the enemy to capture the Relics. They immediately informed the King in Sri Lanka. The King instruction was to quickly bring the Relics via sea and head to Sri Lanka. Halfway through the journey, a thunderstorm stroke and their ships were sunken. Except the two princes, the rest of the crews did not survive.
The two princes were washed ashore, but well. Without the sea transport, they could no longer bring the Relics to Sri Lanka. They started praying sincerely to the Relics “Dear Enlighten One! If this land we step upon is a holy piece of land, then please guide us let us live a new life here. With our people, we shall guard and protected your Relics forever.”
Later the two princes built a temple on this holy land and with much hardwork, they also establish a wealthy and strong city. They brought new hope and peace to all the people. In remembrance to the great deeds by the two princes, they named this place Nakon Si Thammarat in their honour. This is now located at Southern of Thailand at present time. The temple that the two princes built for the Relics is Wat Mahathat, as it is known now.
Ever since then, after a few century, many people had travelled to Wat Mahathat to locate the Relics that were buried by the princes. Finally, they found a stone craving and the Relics buried at the Wat. The stories of the two princes were found engraved on this stone.
The two princes had done many great deeds and the greatest is by erecting the temple to house the Relics. And they promised to guard the Relics with their lives. They had earned respect from both the heavenly and earthly beings. Later, the people combined the two princes into one and named Tao Jatukam Ramathep, when praying to him. Tao Jatukam Ramathep becomes one of the most respected and popular deity in the South of Thailand. In olden days, Tao was used to address the noble one. It is believed that those that pray to Tao Jatukam Ramathep will be blessed with fulfilling life and better in all aspects in everyday work.
In Malaysia, there are many place that someone can get the Jatukam amulet. One of the place is the Chetawan Temple . I went there and saw there are some that avaiable… If anyone like to have a look, you may try to go there.
Here is some photo of the Chatukam that I take during the visit:
http://malaysia.mycheaptravelguides.com/jatukamchatukam-amulet/
27 October 2007
Jatukam LuakMeung MahaMongkon 2550
This batch is called Jatukam roon Luak Meung MahaMongkon 2550. This is one of the most stunning Jatukam amulets created in year 2550. This is from Wat Pra Boromatat in Narkon SiTamarrat. The creator for this batch is Mr. Nasan Puntarukrachdech son of Khun Phan. The batch of Jatukam had gone thru 16 times of Chanting Ceremony. One of the ingrediant for this batch is the sacred powder from famous Burana LuakMeung 2547. A worth collection.
25 October 2007
The Legend Of Luang Poh To In Thailand
By Jared Lee
The Legend of Luang Poh To is about three images of Buddha. It was said that a thousand years ago three statues appeared floating on the Bang Pakong river. Though the statues were called three brothers, it is believed that they were not made by mere mortals. No one knew the origins of the statues.
The local people tried to stop the statues and get them ashore but they failed in their attempts. The largest of the three statues floated down the river to the sea, where he followed the upper coastline of the Gulf of Siam, finishing his journey in the Mae Klong River at Samut Songkhram. In Samut Songkhram, the local people invited the statue to come ashore and dwell in the temple of Wat Ban Laem. The statue accepted the invitation and came ashore.
The second statue followed a similar path like the first statue but it floated up the Chao Phraya river towards Bangkok. The second brother floated past Bangkok and then along Klong Bang Phli. The first temple along the canal was Wat Nam Daeng, also known as Red Thorn Temple. The local villagers tried to get the statue to enter the temple. They used all possible means of persuasion. They worshipped the second brother and lit joss sticks but the statue did not stop and continued on its way. The villagers were completely powerless to stop the statue.
The second brother then reach Wat Bang Phli Yai, the next temple along the canal. The locals immediately started worshipping him and they used a sacred white thread to draw the statue to the shore. This time the villagers were successful and the second brother was housed in Wat Bang Phli Yai and it is known as Luang Por Tor.
The third statue came to rest on the banks of Bang Pakong river in exactly the same spot where the Wat Sothorn now stands. Legend has it that the locals initially tried to persuade the third brother to come ashore but failed in their attempts. So, they worshiped him and used the sacred thread to pull him ashore. Now, the third brother is housed in Wat Sothorn.
http://www.thailandbuddy.com/
23 October 2007
Blooming with imagination
Armed with her Jatukam amulet, Arianna Caroli travels around the world capturing blossoms and angels on her canvasses. This month, she's sharing them at Central Chidlom 
is no stranger to Thailand, but this time she's not in the Land of Smiles for a vacation.
The New York-based Italian artist will be showing her latest creations at Central department store's Chidlom branch from October 19 to 23 as part of the chain's 60th anniversary celebrations. She'll also be taking part in a live painting show from October 19 to 21, inviting shoppers to watch her canvases come alive with colour.
The Orvieto-born Caroli, who divides her time between New York and Florida, has always been fascinated by the spirit and the art of the East, attracted by its elegance, exoticism, sensuality and mysticism. Long sojourns in Thailand, Bali, Laos, Burma, Cambodia and India, along with periods spent in Europe and the US, have made her a citizen of the world. Her paintings combine eastern mysticism with western expression.
Her work is represented in the public collection of Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts and the Museum of XXI Century Art in St Petersburg, Florida, as well as in private collections of prominent people like Ronald Lauder, Summer Redstone and Ralph Lauren.
But Caroli has worked hard for her success.
"I've been painting since I was 13. I had to fight to make it my career because when I told my family I wanted to be an artist, they said okay … that's a hobby. How can you earn a living?" she recalls.
Caroli compromised, graduated from the University of Rome with a doctorate in Ancient Literature and Archaeology, before completing her art studies at Sotheby's Institute of Art in London, the New York Studio School, the Art Students League of New York and with master iconographer Vladislav Andrejev.
"Everything I've studied has proved to be very important. It makes me to look at things with different eyes.
"Recently, I launched my first book about my life and work entitled 'On the Way - In Cammio'. The book is dedicated to my family and friends. I thought they were making my life difficult, but in fact they forced me to learn about faith, determination and courage and perseverance. I have to thank them."
Though many of Caroli's paintings feature angels, offering movement, colour, light and beauty, it's her depiction of flowers that hold the viewer's attention.
"The reason I paint flowers is because they are between human creations and divine work. They come out of the darkness of the earth and go toward the light. They are nourished by the sun and the earth. It's like black and white, yin and yang.
"A flower itself is a work of art and it's a big challenge to paint one. I also believe that a flower has healing power and amazing energy. So, I try to share and give back that energy through my paintings."
Caroli enjoys sharing her inspiration and imagination with people, especially underprivileged children. Her luggage is always overweight when she travels, as she stuffs her suitcases with canvases, colours and papers, "the materials children need for their imaginations to travel", she explains.
She spends a few months each year on the road and is particularly attracted to the Buddhist nations of Southeast and East Asia. She learned about Buddhism as a 20-year-old while practising yoga.
"The Eastern philosophy opened up a different world to me. As a Catholic, I was raised to think that life is about suffering and you have to be punished. Then you come to the other side of the world and they say life is joy; life is here and now.
"I learned that the past didn't exist anymore, nor did the future. The only thing we have is the here and now ... that nothing is sure and nothing is forever. Everything changes," says Caroli, who has taken to wearing a Jatukam Ramathep amulet that she was given during a Songkran visit to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
She says she was unaware at the time of the supernatural powers associated with the amulet, but later read that a man had credited his survival in an accident to the talisman. She also wears a smaller Somdej Wat Rakhang amulet.
"I believe the amulets will protect me," she smiles.
Tanaporn Tangcharoenmankong
The Nation
is no stranger to Thailand, but this time she's not in the Land of Smiles for a vacation.
The New York-based Italian artist will be showing her latest creations at Central department store's Chidlom branch from October 19 to 23 as part of the chain's 60th anniversary celebrations. She'll also be taking part in a live painting show from October 19 to 21, inviting shoppers to watch her canvases come alive with colour.
The Orvieto-born Caroli, who divides her time between New York and Florida, has always been fascinated by the spirit and the art of the East, attracted by its elegance, exoticism, sensuality and mysticism. Long sojourns in Thailand, Bali, Laos, Burma, Cambodia and India, along with periods spent in Europe and the US, have made her a citizen of the world. Her paintings combine eastern mysticism with western expression.
Her work is represented in the public collection of Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts and the Museum of XXI Century Art in St Petersburg, Florida, as well as in private collections of prominent people like Ronald Lauder, Summer Redstone and Ralph Lauren.
But Caroli has worked hard for her success.
"I've been painting since I was 13. I had to fight to make it my career because when I told my family I wanted to be an artist, they said okay … that's a hobby. How can you earn a living?" she recalls.
Caroli compromised, graduated from the University of Rome with a doctorate in Ancient Literature and Archaeology, before completing her art studies at Sotheby's Institute of Art in London, the New York Studio School, the Art Students League of New York and with master iconographer Vladislav Andrejev.
"Everything I've studied has proved to be very important. It makes me to look at things with different eyes.
"Recently, I launched my first book about my life and work entitled 'On the Way - In Cammio'. The book is dedicated to my family and friends. I thought they were making my life difficult, but in fact they forced me to learn about faith, determination and courage and perseverance. I have to thank them."
Though many of Caroli's paintings feature angels, offering movement, colour, light and beauty, it's her depiction of flowers that hold the viewer's attention.
"The reason I paint flowers is because they are between human creations and divine work. They come out of the darkness of the earth and go toward the light. They are nourished by the sun and the earth. It's like black and white, yin and yang.
"A flower itself is a work of art and it's a big challenge to paint one. I also believe that a flower has healing power and amazing energy. So, I try to share and give back that energy through my paintings."
Caroli enjoys sharing her inspiration and imagination with people, especially underprivileged children. Her luggage is always overweight when she travels, as she stuffs her suitcases with canvases, colours and papers, "the materials children need for their imaginations to travel", she explains.
She spends a few months each year on the road and is particularly attracted to the Buddhist nations of Southeast and East Asia. She learned about Buddhism as a 20-year-old while practising yoga.
"The Eastern philosophy opened up a different world to me. As a Catholic, I was raised to think that life is about suffering and you have to be punished. Then you come to the other side of the world and they say life is joy; life is here and now.
"I learned that the past didn't exist anymore, nor did the future. The only thing we have is the here and now ... that nothing is sure and nothing is forever. Everything changes," says Caroli, who has taken to wearing a Jatukam Ramathep amulet that she was given during a Songkran visit to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
She says she was unaware at the time of the supernatural powers associated with the amulet, but later read that a man had credited his survival in an accident to the talisman. She also wears a smaller Somdej Wat Rakhang amulet.
"I believe the amulets will protect me," she smiles.
Tanaporn Tangcharoenmankong
The Nation
14 October 2007
Jatukham Ramathep: Buddhist Amulets?
All over Thailand there’s a craze going on surrounding amulets called Jatukham Ramathep (one is pictured above). These lucky charms are rather large, cumbersome looking objects seen dangling in front of the wearer’s chest, apparently as some kind of display of the protective power that these things are believed to posses. At the school in which I work here in Ubon Ratchathani, both pupils and teachers exhibit their Jatukham Ramathep talismans over their uniforms for all to see. I’m sure that if you live in Thailand and mix with Thais on a daily basis, you’ll have seen these amulets – I even know Westerners that wear them: perhaps you’re wearing one as you read this!
But what are the origins of these extremely popular idols? Well, the original Jatukham Ramathep amulets were made back in 1987 by a Thai policeman who believed that the spirit of the same name had assisted him in solving a difficult case he was investigating. In 2006, after the policeman’s death, the amulets began to become wildly popular amongst Thais who believed that they granted good fortune and solved the wearer’s problems. Today, the amulets will generally sell for anything between 200 Baht for a basic version to 1, 000 Baht for limited editions, but the highest price paid for one has been reported at 1.2 million Baht!
So, who or what is this Jatukham Ramathep that allegedly bestows such magical power? Well, nobody’s exactly sure! Two theories are that Jatukham Ramathep is a fusion of the names of two ancient princes from Southern Thailand, or that it’s an alternative name of the Mahayana Buddhist deity Avalokiteshvara. (The significance of the latter is that Thai Buddhism is of the Theravada school, not part of the Mahayana movement, and therefore does not recognize Avalokiteshvara.)
Whatever the genesis of these amulets, the fact remains that they are very popular nowadays: so popular that there was a stampede when some people attempted to reserve talismans in the South of the country where they are produced and blessed, killing one woman. (She obviously wasn’t on Jatukham Ramathep’s friendship list!) A similar story in the news related to a driver of a Mercedes that thought he might be invincible due to the supposed protection of the Jatukham Ramathep talisman that he was wearing. Apparently, he tried to get across a level crossing while a train approached, but the magical power of the train must have been stronger – the guy was crushed to death!
As you might have guessed by now, I’m pretty skeptical about the efficacy of these things: you’re right! It’s not just my cynical Western upbringing that’s to blame for this lack of faith, nor such (amusing?!) stories as the two cited above. It’s the fact that as a Theravada Buddhist, I know that the Buddha taught against the superstitious use of such objects. I also know that roughly 95% of all Thais are said to be Buddhist, but that doesn’t seem to translate into all of them following the guidance of the Awakened One. (Most Thais that I know drink alcohol for instance, despite the fact that the fifth precept that Buddhists undertake is to refrain from drink and drugs.)
In the upasakadhamma, a set of five qualities that all Buddhists should aspire to, the use of amulets and lucky charms is discouraged, with the belief in (and comprehension of) kamma (action) and the results of action being encouraged instead. Buddhism, despite what one might think observing popular religion in Thailand, is not superstitious or fanciful in nature. But the use of Jatukham Rammathep amulets and their like distract their users away from the true teachings of the Buddha, and lead to an increase in worldly delusion rather than its ending as promoted in the Buddha Dhamma (Buddhist Teachings).
http://forestwisdom.thaipulse.com/2007/07/buddhist-amulets.html
10 October 2007
Thailand’s Jatukam Rammathep amulet craze
Fads are everywhere in Thailand. Remember Mr Bun and Roti Boy? (Does anybody still eat at those places?) You’d be forgiven for thinking that Thailand was a country full of people wearing replica Olympic medals. Everybody seems to have these great big medallions – a sort of combination between Mr T and Derek Trotter. These medallions are, of course, Thailand’s bizarrely popular Jatukam Rammathep amulets.
The idea is that these things bring you luck. They come in different flavours: money, work, love – whatever you want, there’s a Jatukam out there for it. I’m always keen to try new things, so I bought my own Jatukam Amulet. Actually, I got a friend of a friend to buy me one.
The cost for eternal good fortune? A mere 500 baht, which I’m told is cheap for Jatukam Amulets. I decided against wearing my Jatukam as a medallion and instead keep it in its little plastic container. Although it wasn’t my choice, my amulet will apparently bring me great wealth. I’ve been putting it to the test and carrying the Jatukam with me everywhere I go. So far, no good luck.
Jatukam Rammathep amulets are sold across Thailand. The story goes that a Thai policeman received some guidance from Jatukam Rammathep in solving a murder case 20 years ago. When the policeman died last year, the Jatukam craze began.
The amulet originate from Nakhon Sri Thammarat, which is where mine comes from, although now you can buy them almost anywhere now. The Jatukam I have was blessed three times by monks. If I don’t get rich by the end of the year then those monks will have some explaining to do.
You may be wondering who Jatukam Rammathep is. According to The Nation, it’s actually two people:
Jatukam Rammathep is two people, not one. The names are the aliases of brother princes Inthara Sairen and Inthara Khao Kheo, sons of King Jantharaphanu, who ruled the Sri Thammasoke realm, the capital of the Krung Srivijaya Kingdom (757-1257) in southern Thailand, after his father who founded it.
The first Jatukam amulets cost just 39 baht. How times have changed, with some amulets fetching more than a million baht now. It’s such a strange trend because it really has nothing to do with religion; it’s entirely superstitious. It’s not even Buddhist, and yet these amulets are sold by Buddhist monks. Jatukam Rammathep is a Hindu character.
Most of the people wearing these amulets are not Hindu. Having an amulet is like owning a rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover. I never had a lucky charm as a child except for a compass that I broke and then lost.
Time to make up for lost time.
http://whatismatt.com/thailands-jatukam-rammathep-amulet-craze/
Jatukam Ramathep Amulets
A man uses a magnifying glass to inspect a plasticine "Jatukam Ramathep" amulet at a Bangkok market June 28, 2007. A craze for plasticine amulets that promise to make their owners "Super Rich" or "Rich without Reason" is sweeping across Thailand to the dismay of traditionalists in the predominantly Buddhist nation. Picture taken June 28, 2007. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND)
A Thai monk uses a magnifying glass to inspect a plasticine 'Jatukam Ramathep' amulet at a Bangkok market June 28, 2007. (Sukree Sukplang/Reuters)
http://www.thaiphotoblogs.com/index.php?blog=5&title=jatukam_ramathep_amulets&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
05 October 2007
Jatukam 2530 (จตุคาม 2530)
Jatukam Rama Thep (year 2530)
Photo from: Mr. AAR (somsap@hutch.co.th)
http://www.212cafe.com/freewebboard/view.php?user=banphra2&id=326
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