Phra Phut, Luang Pho Phra Thong
Phra Phut (Luang Pho Phut), the Buddha image of Phuket, is enshrined at Wat Phra Thong, which isWat RatBelonging to the SanghaMaha Nikai Located Thalang District Phuket It is an ancient temple with an ancient Buddha image. Half of the body is protruding from the ground. Therefore, a half-body image was built to cover it. The villagers call it "Phra Phut It is a sacred place that is a center of faith for the people of Phuket and nearby provinces. It is also considered a must-see destination for foreigners visiting Phuket, as it is considered the only unseen Thai place in Phuket that is very famous.
In the past, Phra Phut stood in the middle of a rice field. It is said that when wandering monks came to set up their tents in this area, a temple was built and Phra Phut was invited to be the principal Buddha image in the chapel. It is said that Phra Phut was made of gold, so it was covered with cement as seen today. Locals called the temple variously: Wat Na Nai, Wat Phra Phut, or Wat Phra Lor Kho, depending on the Buddha image's appearance. Later, King Rama VI bestowed the name Wat Phra Thong upon the temple in 1909, when he was still Crown Prince.
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*His Majesty King Rama IX visited Phuket Province for the first time and stopped to pay respects to Luang Pho Phra Phut at Wat Phra Thong on March 11, 1959.
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Legend of Phra Phut
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Thai history tells of... during the reign of King Rama I (Rama I), Burma invaded southern Thailand and captured the city of Thalang. Burmese soldiers attempted to dig up Phra Phut to take it back to Burma, but were unsuccessful. A miracle occurred: many small, itchy ants came up with the excavated soil. Hundreds of Burmese soldiers who were bitten became ill and died. The remaining Burmese burned the ants with fire and tried to dig all the way to Phra Phut's neck. The governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat then led an army to retake the city from the Burmese.
Later, Luang Pho Singh traveled from Sukhothai and set up his tent in Thalang. He persuaded the villagers to build a kuti vihara and an ordination hall. Luang Pho Phra Phut was the principal Buddha image in the ordination hall, but he only built a statue in front of it, making it higher than before, to facilitate the activities of the monks.
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*From that historical event, the Battle of Thalang, there were brave men: Thao Thep Kasattri and Thao Si Sunthon, or Thanpuying Chan and Khun Muk, two sisters whose heroic deeds in fighting the Burmese wars were famous and honorable in the history of the "Thai nation."
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There is a story passed down by the elders about the discovery of Phra Phut. It goes like this: Back then, a boy led his buffalo into the fields, following his parents' orders. He came across a stake, not knowing what it was, but tying his buffalo to it and playing as usual. Returning home in the evening, the boy fell ill and died. The buffalo also died without any known cause. The boy's father dreamed that his son and buffalo had died because his son had tied the buffalo to the Phra Ketumala. The next morning, he went to investigate, and his dream was true. The villagers then informed the governor of the area. The governor of Thalang ordered a dig, but a miraculous event occurred: wasps and hornets began to wreak havoc. The governor then ordered a place of worship, with a roof to protect from the sun and rain. The villagers called it "Phra Phut." Later, a white-skinned nun came to stay in Thalang and learned that a golden Buddha image had appeared in the middle of a rice field. Fearing that thieves might steal it and sell it, he persuaded the villagers to collect shells, burn them, and use lime mixed with sand to cover it.
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On March 27, 1909, King Rama VI, then Crown Prince, visited Phuket Province and viewed the Phra Phut image. He commented, “The construction of this Buddha image wearing a Phra Phut image was made of bricks and mortar, with only the head and half of the body, to make it look like it’s emerging from the ground. The craftsmanship is just that, but we must praise his courage. Few people dare to make a Buddha image that’s only half a body like this. Therefore, we must admit that it is truly worth seeing.” The Crown Prince bestowed the name of this temple “Wat Phra Thong.”
Luang Pho Phra Thong (Phra Phut) is called "Phra Phut" by Thai people in Phuket Province from the legend that the Buddha image emerged as small as the crown of the head, about 1 cubit high. The Chinese call it "Phu Puk" (Phu Hook) because the Chinese believe that Phra Phut came from China. The Chinese in Phuket, Phang Nga, Takua Pa, Thai Mueang, and Krabi all highly revere this Buddha image. When the Chinese New Year festival (the 3rd month) arrives, they come to pay homage, a tradition that continues to this day.
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Due to its sacredness and the strange appearance of only half of its body emerging from the ground, Phra Phut, or Phra Thong, is highly revered by Phuket residents and the general public. Many people often come to pay their respects and make wishes, especially during important festivals.
In addition to the Phra Phut Buddha image, Wat Phra Thong also boasts other interesting features, including the Ubosot (ordination hall) and the Wat Phra Thong Museum, which houses a collection of ancient artifacts and belongings from Phuket's past.
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First edition of Luang Pho Phra Thong coin
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The first edition of the Bodhi leaf coin, Luang Pho Phra Thong (Phra Phut), Wat Phra Thong, Phuket Province, gold-plated material.
Built in 2511, it is said that if anyone has any sorrows and goes to pay respects to him, he will help remove bad things and bring them out of suffering. Pray for Luang Pho Phra Thong and he will help bring about the success of your wishes.
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Thanks for the information and pictures from…
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Th.wikipedia.org
Pinterest.com
FB: The Earth
g-pra.com/
FB: Here in Phuket
palanla.com/
mgronline.com/
pkt.onab.go.th/
FB: Unseen Tour Thailand
FB: Sip iced tea, read history
FB : Newshawk Phuket
