Wat Phra Yatikaram

Wat Phra Yatikaram (วัดพระญาติการาม), commonly known as Wat Phra Yat, was originally called *Wat Phop Yat* (“Monastery of Meeting Relatives”). It is an ancient temple dating back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom period, located in Phai Ling Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Wat Phra Yatikaram is widely known because many famous monks resided here, such as Luang Pho Klan, Luang Pho Un, and Luang Pho Phao. The temple’s sacred object is a sandstone Buddha image in the Mara Vichaya posture enshrined in the ordination hall (ubosot) built during the Ayutthaya era.^[1] The temple also houses an image of the Goddess Guanyin in her blissful form.

Wat Phra Yatikaram was formerly called Wat Phop Yat (“Temple of Meeting Relatives”). According to legend, there was once a village where all the young women were known for their beauty. When the king heard of this, he came to the village and requested one of the girls to be brought to court. When she left for the palace, her relatives came to bid farewell. Later, after she became a royal consort, she returned to visit her family and ordered a temple to be built on the site where her relatives had gathered to see her off. The temple was thus called “Wat Phop Yat,” later changed to “Wat Phra Yatikaram.”^[2]

Luang Phor Klan Thammachoti (Thai: หลวงพ่อกลั่น ธมฺมโชติ) was a revered monk renowned for his spiritual power and deep knowledge of Buddhist magic. His monastic name Thammachoti means “one who prospers in the Dhamma.” He was highly respected by monks, disciples, and laypeople alike. His consecrated amulets are considered powerful and sacred, and his first amulet series from 1926 CE (B.E. 2469) remains one of the most sought-after and valuable in Thailand.

He was born in 1847 CE (B.E. 2390), Year of the Goat, in Aranyik Subdistrict, Nakhon Luang District, Ayutthaya Province, to a poor family as the eldest of three children. His parents were Mr. In and Mrs. Chan. His childhood was marked by hardship, which made him resilient and determined.

At age 27 (around 1874 CE / B.E. 2417), he was ordained at Wat Pradu Songtham, with Phra Yantrai Lok (Sa-ard), Chief Monk of Ayutthaya, as his preceptor, Phra Khru Kuson Thammathada of Wat Khun Yuan, and Phra Athikan Chuen of Wat Phra Yat as his teachers. He studied Buddhist scriptures and various traditional sciences. Wat Pradu Songtham was an ancient monastic learning center, preserving vast knowledge and esoteric texts that many central Thai masters had studied from.

After mastering these teachings, Luang Pho Klan practiced meditation in the wilderness (thudong) to cultivate mindfulness and inner strength. One evening, upon returning from his journey, he arrived near Wat Phra Yatikaram and found it to be a peaceful place suitable for practice. Local villagers, impressed by his virtuous conduct, invited him to stay as resident abbot, where he remained until his death.

Luang Pho Klan was known for his simplicity, humility, and compassion toward all beings. He died on 21 July 1934 CE (B.E. 2477) at the age of 87, after 60 rains retreats (vassa).^[3]

Between 1921–1922 CE (B.E. 2464–2465), Luang Pho Klan saw that the old ordination hall was deteriorating and too small, so he had it rebuilt. However, the new structure soon cracked and subsided. Luang Pho Un, the next abbot, discussed with the monks about raising funds for repairs and proposed minting a commemorative coin to give donors. Luang Pho Klan initially declined but later consented.

The first generation of Luang Pho Klan’s amulet medallions was created in 1926 CE (B.E. 2469) to raise funds for the temple restoration. Today, these amulets are among the most popular and valuable in Thai Buddhist circles, considered part of the “Benjapakee” (Five Grand Amulet Medals).

The 1926 medallion varieties included:

• Silver with gold face – approx. 12 pieces
• Silver with copper face – approx. 25 pieces
• Silver – approx. 100 pieces
• Gilded copper and plain copper – approx. 3,000 pieces

Donation amounts at that time:

• Silver with gold face – 15 baht per piece
• Silver with copper face – 10 baht per piece
• Silver – 5 baht per piece
• Copper – 1 baht per piece

All proceeds were used for temple restoration. Records of production and distribution were kept by the next abbot, Luang Pho Un, who supervised the minting while Luang Pho Klan performed the consecration ceremony.^[4]

• Luang Pho Klan’s 1926 medallion, “Fishing Hook” design, silver with gold face
• Luang Pho Klan’s 1926 medallion, “Fishing Hook” design, gilded copper
• Luang Pho Klan’s 1926 medallion, “Fishing Hook” design, copper