Phra Pidta Amulets & Coins in Thailand
Phra Pidta amulets are one of Thailand’s most coveted. The name Phra Pidta (พระปิดตา) translates to the “monk with closed eyes” and refers to a legendary monk who closed all 9 entrances to his body (2 eyes, 2 nostrils, 2 ears, 1 mouth, 1 buttocks, and 1 urethra) in order to achieve deeper levels of Samadhi meditation and enter Nirodha (the end of suffering).
Phra Pidta amulets (which sometimes take the form of sacred coins) are popular with soldiers, business owners, and other Thai people who wear or carry the amulet for its protection.
It’s believed to shield the wearer from harm, danger, and negative energies, as well as bring good fortune, wealth, and success (thus it is a popular choice for those also seeking prosperity in their personal and professional lives).
The making of Phra Pidta amulets are associated with a number of different temples and monks in Thailand, who use the sale of the amulets to raise funds for public works projects and charitable efforts. One notable example is Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto (หลวงปู่ศิลา สิริจันโท).
At Wat Phra That Muen Hin (วัดพระธาตุหมื่นหิน) in Kalasin, you’ll see a seated statue of LP Sila Sirichanto holding prayer beads, below which is a sign showing a Phra Pidta coin and the phrase “jao sap” (เจ้าทรัพย์), which in this context means “Lord of Wealth” and points to the wealth of Buddhist wisdom that Luang Pu Sila Sirichanto holds, as well as the good fortune connected with ownership of the coin.
Other Thai temples and monks who are well-known for producing Phra Pidta coins and amulets are Luang Phor Kaew of Wat Khrueawan (Chon Buri), Luang Pu Lam of Wat Saphan Sung (Nonthaburi), and Luang Pu Jeen of Wat Tha Lat Neua (Chachoengsao). Some Buddhist temples such as Wat Nong Sim in Sakon Nakhon have sculptures of Phra Pidta on display.
While some say Phra Pidta amulets originated during the Ayutthaya period (1350-1767), a time when Thailand saw the flourishing of Buddhist art and the creation of various sacred objects. Others trace the origin to the earlier Khmer civilization that spread across large parts of modern day Thailand.
Over the centuries, the design of the Phra Pidta amulets have evolved, but its core meanings have remained the same. Phra Pidta is typically depicted as a monk seated in a meditation pose while covering his eyes with his hands.
The closed eyes signify a turning away from worldly distractions, embodying the Buddhist principle of detachment from sensory inputs that can lead to desire and attachment. This gesture is not merely about physical sight but represents an inward focus on spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Phra Pidta Seeks Nirodha via Samadhi
The Phra Pidta amulet thus serves as a powerful symbol of inner peace, protection, and spiritual aspiration — while also pointing toward the Buddhist concepts of Nirodha and Samadhi.
Nirodha refers to the cessation of suffering — one of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. It represents a state where all forms of craving and attachment are extinguished, leading to ultimate liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
The act of covering the eyes in the Phra Pidta imagery aligns with this principle, as it signifies the rejection of external temptations and the attainment of a serene, undisturbed inner state. This state of cessation is closely related to deep meditation, where one transcends ordinary experiences and achieves profound peace and insight.
Samadhi, on the other hand, refers to the state of intense concentration and meditative absorption — which are important when following Noble Eightfold Path of right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
In Samadhi the mind becomes fully absorbed in the object of meditation, leading to deeper levels of consciousness and spiritual insight. The Phra Pidta amulet’s depiction of a monk with closed eyes symbolizes this deep state of meditation, representing the focused, undistracted mind required to achieve Samadhi.
Phra Pidta Amulets Banned in Singapore
By wearing, carrying, or venerating the Phra Pidta amulet/coin, Thai Buddhists are reminded to cultivate such concentration and mindfulness in their spiritual practice.
Outside of Thailand, the veneration of Phra Pidta amulets have faced controversy abroad, particularly in Singapore. In the 1970s, the Singaporean government banned the Thai amulet, citing concerns over its association with occult practices and black magic.
Authorities believed that some individuals were misusing the amulet for purposes contrary to Buddhist teachings, leading to a law banning the ownership of one. Today, the official stance of the Singapore government has softened, although the law banning the wearing of the amulet is still on the books.
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