Unlucky charms : Temples in debt as craze for Jatukham amulets fades

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

Thailand's frenzy for amulets

By Jonathan Head, BBC News
"Monks are supposed to renounce money. The teachings of the Buddha have been killed by the demonic religion of consumerism" - Sulak Sivaraksa, Buddhist scholar
Bangkok, Thailand -- For advertisers in Thailand, the most spectacular location to promote their products is on the side of the country's tallest building, the Baiyoke Tower in Bangkok.
<< Jatukam Ramathep is depicted on the Baiyoke Tower, Bangkok's tallest skyscraper

But the image that appeared there a few weeks ago was not the usual logo for shampoo or a mobile phone company.

It depicted the statuesque head of a mythical Hindu figure, Jatukam Ramathep - actually a combination of two ancient deities, the guardians of some of Thailand's holiest Buddhist relics.

So what was it doing on a Bangkok skyscraper? The answer is that was selling itself, and doing a whole lot better than the rest of the Thai economy.

Thais have always been keen on amulets. Usually bearing the likeness of the Buddha or other religious figures, they are worn round the neck to bring good fortune.


But no amulet has ever been as popular as the Jatukam Ramathep.

Royal connection

These amulets have been made for about 20 years, and were promoted without much success by Police Major-General Phantarak Rajadej, a police chief in Nakhon Si Thammarat, the town where the relics are thought to be located.

Phantarak Rajadej's death last year changed everything.

A larger-than-life character who was reputed to possess magical powers, his funeral was attended by tens of thousands of people, including Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, the heir to the Thai throne.

Copies of the amulet were given out at the funeral - many of them not authentic, complained his family - and belief in their mystical powers began to spread, pushing up the value of older versions.

On Sunday mornings, crowds build around the main temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Wat Mahathat, one of Thailand's most revered Buddhist temples.

They file between the heavy white-washed walls into a small room, filled floor-to-ceiling with an array of statues depicting giants and mythical animals, all bedecked with flowers.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=52,4803,0,0,1,0

Who is Jatukham Rammathep?

In light of last week's extraordinary scramble for coupons to buy a fervently desired amulet - which saw a woman crushed in a stampede at a temple in the South - many are asking just what is Jatukham Rammathep? And why does it produce such hysteria?

There are many legends about the origins of Jatukham Rammathep, the name used to identify a certain kind of amulet, but it is generally agreed that it goes way back in the mists of time, long before the northern kingdoms emerged.


Perhaps the most credible account is provided by late crime-buster Phantharak Rajjadej, who helped to create the famous amulets, as described in an almanac authored by Seawrite Award winner Jamlong Fangchollajit, a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the history of it is set.


Jatukham 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 Sri Thammasoke realm began to degenerate as a result of their father's absence of 20 years during which he expanded his dominion to as far as eastern India. The brothers founded a new capital at Chang Khom Sirithammarat (present day Nakhon Si Thammarat), and renamed the realm Srivijaya Suvarnabhumi.


Some legends say Jatukham Rammathep was another royal person living in a different era altogether, while others suggest it was a name given to King Jantharaphanu himself.


But all legends - under the influence of Mahayana Buddhism which was widely observed during the period - commonly believe that whatever king or royal person the name belongs to, the right holder of the name is an Avalokitesvara, a future Buddha after numerous rebirths committed to intense self-dedication and intense sacrifice.


Long after their deaths, the two princes continue to be idealised by succeeding generations of residents of Nakhon Si Thammarat and today are remembered by their preferred names of Jatukham and Rammathep as guardian angels.


The Jatukham Rammathep amulets were first produced in 1987 as part of the establishment of the province's Holy Pillar Shrine. The circular amulet, with a 5cm diameter, was priced at Bt39.


Today, the amulets sell for between Bt200 and Bt500 for the basic item, and as much as Bt1,000 for amulets produced in a limited edition. The prices can soar sharply by up to 10 times when their popularity peaks after just a few months. For example, the "Arch-Millionaire" series now trades at around Bt10,000 compared to about Bt150 when it was released in May last year.


The reported highest price ever paid for a single amulet is Bt1.2 million - by a mine owner to the original owner of a 1987 charm. An unconfirmed report earlier this year said the owner of a local lingerie store in the province sold a number of the amulets for Bt3.2 million to a buyer based in the United States.


There are more than 150 series of Jatukham Rammathep amulets planned for this year alone. Productions must be approved by the Pillar Shrine committee and the amulets are required to undergo Buddhist and Brahman blessing ceremonies held at the Holy Pillar Shrine or Mahathat Woramaha-wiharn temple in the province.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/17/national/national_30032023.php

Thai Amulet (Jatukam type) Saves Boy in Accident

A Thai boy had almost unbelievable good fortune, Thai people attribute to the amulet he wore on his neck. The amulet was a round, Jatukam type Thai amulet that was encased in a 18K gold case and worn around his neck religiously.

The boy was riding in a vehicle with his family when there was a horrible accident. Everyone sustained very serious injuries except this boy that came away completely unscathed. The photo is of the boy displaying his magic Thai amulet...

Buddha amulets, revered monk amulets, and even amulets with rulers of the province a Thai person lives in are all considered to have special protection powers. There are countless examples of Thai amulets saving the person that was wearing it.

Right now there is a country-wide craze about the Jatukam amulets that many Thais (most) believe are very powerful. These are recently made amulets and are going for very high prices in Thailand. The starting price for a real, sacred, Thai amulet of this type (Jatukam) is around $300 USD. I don not sell these on my site because frankly Americans and Europeans don't quite get it yet. Foreigners value the old Thai amulets, the antiques. These new Jatukam amulets are more of a Thai thing and probably will last a few more years. The jury is out on how long, but EVERYONE is wearing their new Thai Jatukam amulet (pendant).
http://thaibuddhaamulets.blogspot.com/

Jatukam Ramathep Nakhon Si Thammarat

Jatukam Ramathep Nakhon Si Thammarat

This jatukam amulet is made in Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. It was mass-chanted by 68 monks during a Holy ceremony. Nowadays, Jatukam amulet is very popular in Thailand. The price and value of jatukam amulets has increase non-stop over the years. This amulet is also popular in many foreign countries too. This is because of supernatural power and miracle from JaTuKam RaMaThep. Jatukam RaMaThep is a holy god who protects Phra BaRomMaThat at Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

According to historians, old Nakhon Si Thammarat was a part of Srivijaya, a coastal kingdom incorporating Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, mainland Indochina and western Borneo that flourished from around 500 CE until the late 11th century.
History also tells us that the Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism held sway in Srivijaya, and that its ruler considered himself a bodhisattva.
Legend has it that King Chandrabhanu, who was also known as Pangpagan, was a black-skinned warrior who courageously battled evil. This is why amulets of Pangpagan and Rahu (a black deity who inspires terror) are included in the group of Jatukam talismans.

The classic Jatukam is depicted seated, with his right leg slightly lifted; JaTuKam RaMaThep means soul of former king of Sri Vichai Kingdom. He is full of prestige and popularity. Moreover, he is full of ten virtues.


People believe that JaTuKam RaMaThep was a former king of Sri Vichai Kingdom who protects Phra BaRomMa That and Nakorn Sri ThammaRat City. JaTuKam RaMaThep is a symbol of Bodhisattva.


This amulet feature jatukam, sitting on top of pra rahu. People say pra rahu will eat away all the bad luck and evil and jatukam will give you all the good luck and success. This amulet is made of many old holy powder and material.




Suitable for people


1) Who wants success in life

2) Able to ask for any wish to be fulfilled

3) Protection and best of luck everyday

4) Overcome obstacles and hardship in life.

5) Business to boom

6) Sales to boosts up

7) Well-liked and respect by all

8) Get rid of bad luck, evil, bad influences and increase personal luck.

9) Fortune fetching and attract wealth from all four personal direction of life.

10) Power, authority and confidence to carry out any difficult task.


Three rules to keep while making a wish from jatukam,


1. Possible wishing that not contrary with morals


2. After successful wishing needs to act of keeping one’s promise


3. Make merit and good deed dedicate to JaTuKam


There are many more testimonial and different effect, but only when you wear this amulet then you will be able to experience the true power and blessing of jatukam ramathep.

miracle-thaiamulet.com

How to pray

Some voice of whom praying them
- 'I worship the Jatukam deity in the way I worship the Lord Buddha and Arahants'
-' The Jatukam deity is always gives my blessings and protects me followers from danger'
-'It’s a miracle.I knew that the amulet was created for me'
-“The Jatukam deity won’t help bad people. His worshippers have to at least practise the five Buddhist precepts. And the deity won’t help us if we ask for things that we can’t afford or things that aren’t moral. I hope to buy a small house for my family and I believe the Jatukam deity will help me,”
More information
The talismans are made in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Ayutthaya by laymen and Buddhist monks.
According to historians, old Nakhon Si Thammarat was a part of Srivijaya, a coastal kingdom incorporating Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, mainland Indochina and western Borneo that flourished from around 500 CE until the late 11th century.
History also tells us that the Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhism held sway in Srivijaya, and that its ruler considered himself a bodhisattva.
Legend has it that King Chandrabhanu, who was also known as Pangpagan, was a black-skinned warrior who courageously battled evil. This is why amulets of Pangpagan and Rahu (a black deity who inspires terror) are included in the group of Jatukam talismans.
The classic Jatukam is depicted seated, with his right leg slightly lifted; sometimes he has a seven-headed serpent behind him.
The black Pangpagan is shown seated cross-legged with his hands raised to cover his eyes, and flanked by serpents. Rahu can be recognised as a demon’s head.
Other symbols on Jatukam talismans include the sun and the moon, the animal signs representing the 12-year cycle and symbols of old Nakhon Si Thammarat’s 12 cities.
Not everyone agrees, however, that the Jatukam deity’s true identity is the Chandrabhanu bodhisattava. Some locals believe that the Jatukam is the guardian of the Maha That (the remains of Lord Buddha) in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Maha That Temple, built around 854 CE.
According to ancient beliefs, Maha That was the sacred centre of both the city and the universe.
Two statues of the deity, with names engraved at their bases, stand at the entrance of the Maha That pagoda: Tao Jatukam at the west gate and Tao Ramathep at the east gate, while the head of Jatukam decorates the top of the new city pole.

Rules fail to cool Jatukam fever

Marketing gurus said earlier this year that those involved with the making of Jatukam Ramathep should be honoured for their excellent job.

The market value of this talisman has skyrocketed despite the absence of any evidence that supports the existence of the Hindu god.


Creativity thrives as the market gets saturated. A research study found out that the talisman started to experience a drop in market value in June when it was estimated that nearly 1,000 editions had been produced.


TITV last weekend aired some scenes at temples where new editions of Jatukam were being produced. Each edition needs a new marketing scheme to make sure that the public knows of its supernatural power and will scramble for one of the amulets.


The more they know of the power, the higher the success of the new edition. At one temple, the abbot sliced a blade on the back of a half-naked man, as if to show he could be saved from harm via the power of Jatukam.


More interesting was an interview with an official from the Religious Affairs Department. Asked whether the department would do anything with the temples or abbots involved in such horrible marketing schemes, the official was reluctant to make an outright statement. He simply said the department would look into monks' discipline to see if they violated any rules.


In conclusion, it would take time to see what they can do with monks involved in crazy marketing campaigns.


Bolder was the Consumer Protection Board. Daily News reported on Monday that the board had received more than 100 complaints about Jatukam in the past few months. Initially, the board set out to protect consumers with a regulation that bans the words "luck", "rich" and "invulnerable" in advertisements, as these claims could not be proven. Without those words, the talisman may not attract buyers.


Failing to follow the rules, the makers are liable to fines of Bt30,000 or six-months' imprisonment, or both. Meanwhile, media that run such ads would be subject to half the penalty.


On the same day, when the Buddhist Lent started, many newspapers ran Jatukam ads. Two editions are "Ruay Jing" (Really Rich) and "Mee Tae Ruay" (Richness Only). Needless to say, they violate the consumer board's rule.


The fine may be too low or the makers may not yet be informed of the fine. Whatever, if the rule is really enforced, the board would only become richer and richer.

achara_d@nationgroup.com
The Nation