Author Topic: Phra Pidta  (Read 810 times)

Toii

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Phra Pidta
« on: October 14, 2018, 08:21:46 pm »
Greetings. Just want to share about the sacred Phra Pidta amulet. (Phra=Venerable in Thai language; Pidta=Closing eyes in Thai language)

Phra Pidta is one of the most common form of Thai Buddhist amulet. Despite its common form, many thinks that Phra Pidta is a single deity or monk, but that's not true. Generally, Phra Pidta can be divided into three forms.

The first form of Phra Pidta resembles a holy person kneeling with his hands covering his face and other body openings. This form is actually depicting the sacred Bodhisatta in the mother's womb. This holy form of Phra Pidta is considered as 'Maha Ut' by Thais and it offered great protection against dangers in all forms.

The second form of Phra Pidta is quite famous in amulet market. This form of Phra Pidta resembles a monk meditating and has many hands covering all body openings. This form symbolises a monk that entered Nirodha state (a state that without any greed, lust and ignorance, Nibbana) and the form is generally known as 'Phra Bhagavam'. It is too offered protection against external dangers, especially in terms of Kong Kraban Chatri.

The third form is, perhaps, the most popular form. This form often shows a fat monk, sitting in meditative posture, with two large hands covering his face only. This is the form that is quite loved by everyone. This form of Phra Pidta offered many blessings, such as protection against dangers, Mettamahaniyom, good fortune (Mahalap) and Success in both mundane and supra mundane aspects.

Unlike the first two forms, the third form of Phra Pidta is accompanied with Dhamma teachings and wonderful historical Buddhist stories.

From the aspect of Dhamma, the sacred Phra Pidta that closed his face, symbolises the guarding of the 6 senses without fail in order to gain Nibbanic bliss. By guarding the body doors diligently and not falling into errors (violates the precepts or teachings), one can be assured of many blessings and happiness.

Many people that just entered the topic of Buddhist amulets may not know, that t he third form of Phra Pidta is actually also known as "Phra Gavampati" by Thai Buddhists. The Venerable Gavampati is one of the famous monk in Buddhist legends.

In the Tripitaka scriptures, Phra Gavampati is one of the earliest disciple of the Lord Buddha and achieved the Arahanthood. He is one of the earliest holy person with good Paramis, fortunate enough to be directly invited into Sangha by the Lord Buddha himself by saying "Ehi Bhikkhave". (A normal person, if he wishes to be a monk, he will need to undergo probation. But for Venerable Gavampati thera, this is not necessary as the Lord Buddha foreseen his Paramis). He is one of the rich Setthi friends of the Venerable Yasa thera (both of them together with many other rich Setthi friends, entered the monkhood once listened to the Lord Buddha's Dhamma). Phra Gavampati is the tenth Arahant in this world under the present Buddha - Lord Gotama Buddha.

Phra Gavampati, once attained the Arahanthood, possessed Tevijja (Three Fold Knowledge), various Miraculous Powers (Iddhipada), and mastered all meditation levels. He is once praised by the Lord Buddha himself for his miraculous powers and his good practice as a worthy Bhikkhu. There was one time, Phra Gavampati lived in the Anjanavana at Saketa in ancient India. One day, the Lord Buddha decided to visit the place of Saketa where Phra Gavampati resides. When Lord Buddha, with His large retinue of fellow monks, arrived the Anjanavana, some of the monks accompanying him slept on the sandbanks of the Sarabhu river near the monastery of Phra Gavampati. This is because the monastery where Phra Gavampati resides is not large enough for the retinue of monks.

In the night, the river water level rose tremendously and hence there was great dismay to the monks that slept at the riverside. The Buddha sent Venerable Gavampati to stem and suppress the flooding of river, so that the monks can reside there with peace. Phra Gavampati therefore exercises His Iddhi Power to stop the flowing Sarabhu river. As a result, the water stopped afar off and water mass is building up, looking like a mountain peak. This is the first time that Phra Gavampati amazed the world with his miraculous power.

Later there was a time, the Lord Buddha exercises His Divine Eyes to see Heavens. He saw the Venerable Gavampati resides in Heaven accompanied by a large host of Devas and preaching the Buddha's teachings. The Buddha delighted in His achievement and praised His student - Phra Gavampati for his virtues, kindness, helpfulness to the world with its beings. The Lord Buddha stated a Gatha to praised Phra Gavampati meaning:

"Gavampati, well respected by both Devas and human; the One who subdues the Sarabhu River with Iddhi Power; the One who cut off all defilement and greed; the One with no more worldly wishes; the One who escaped from everything. Indeed he is a Mahamuni, a wise one that arose in the world."

Such is the potent power of Phra Gavampati or Phra Pidta. About the background of his enlightenment, this is the story:

In the time of Lord Sikhi Buddha, he was a hunter and at the time of seeing the Sikhi Buddha, he offered him flowers. Later, he built a parasol and a railing for the pagoda of Konagamana. In the time of Kassapa Buddha, he was reborn as a rich house holder that has many cattle. One day, he saw an Arahant eating his meal under the sun without shade, he built the Arahant a shelter and planted a Sirisa tree in front of it. Due to this meritorious work, he was reborn in the Catummaharajika world after passing away, and his palace was known as Serissaka divine mansion.

Phra Gavampati was the teacher of Mahanaga, son of Madhu Vasettha. It is said that the Serissaka vimana, occupied by Gavampati, remained in the Catummaharajika world even after he had left it in the past life. It is said that Phra Gavampati went there because he found the climate more agreeable. According to the Pali scriptures, it is said that Phra Gavampati just like Pindola bharadvaja, prefer his old place for the stay.

There Gavampati often spent his siesta and held conversations with Payasi Devaputta (who was a donor of Buddhist monks but without faith, due to the lack of faith, he was reborn as a lower rank of Deva who also resides in the Serissaka mansion that once belonged to Phra Gavampati's past life personality).

In the Serissaka mansion, both of them having Dhamma discussion, and the Payasi Devaputta requested Phra Gavampati to tell message to the inhabitants of the earth, that they should profit by the example of him (Payasi Devaputta) and discriminate in the bestowal of their gifts (only donate those who deserved to be donated).

After the Buddha's Parinibbana, when Venerable Maha Kassapa wished to hold a meeting of the chief monks, Venerable Punna was sent as a special messenger to summon Venerable Gavampati, who was then in the Serissaka vimana. But Phra Gavampati did not attend, knowing his final cessation of this final life (Nibbana) being imminent. Instead, he sent his bowl and three robes as a gift to the Sangha. Immediately afterwards he died, and Punna carried out his funeral rites.

Such is the wonderful and mighty Arahant Phra Gavampati - now in the form of Phra Pidta. We are fortunate enough to be able to venerate this Arahant and by taking Buddha Dhamma and Phra Gavampati's legend as our inspiration and guidance, indeed we can gain happiness and protection.
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