Guman Thong Chaloensuk

Guman Thong are known to bring good luck to both home and business, and is a very popular talsiman in Thai society.

The legend of Guman Thong first appeared during the reign of King Ramathipbodhi 2 around BE 1491-1529 (Ayuttaya period) in the classic Thai literature, Kun Chang Kun Pan, based on a true story.

Kun Pan or Phra Surineeuchi, commander in chief and disciple of Ajahn Kong, Wat Kea , was the protagonist of the story. He discovered that Boa Klee, one of his wive's, planned to poison him. He therefore, murdered her, took a dead foetus from his wife's womb and decided to make his son, Guman Thong. Kun Pan cremated the body, covered it with gold leaves, and wrapped him up.

Besides Fafeun sword and SiMohk horse, Guman Thong was one of the most sacred possessions that Kun Pan had endeavored to find all his life. Guman Thong was very significant, because he was also his son. Morover Guman Thong was a baby spirit that could travel with him anywhere, unlike the other sacred possessions he owned.

A man with knowledge of magic would know exacatly how to raise an army and encourage soldiers to fight courageously.

Guman Thong have been classified as a sacred talisman since the Ayuttaya period, and still has the same reputation to this very day.

The magic to create Guman Thong has been vividly narrated in poem in the book Khun Chang Kun Pan

Then he carried the baby from the belly

Guman Thong please come with me

He gently grabbed the bag

Covered his son and took him away

He walked out and closed the door

Harshly reached, stepped accross the back

Of the temple. He closed the door of the hall

And locked it from inside

Kun Pan uncovered his bag

Lighted fire and burning red hot iron

Brought out holy wood and set it

As tripod to support the baby

Narai cabalistic writing put on his head

Raja mystic symbol placed on the floor

Using his dagger to tear the cabalistic writing

And place the Mother of the Earth on the ground

He set four stick in four directions

Then spun the white string around

Placed another mystic writing on the ceiling

And everything set and ready

The old traditional ways of creating Guman Thong are no longer performed. Other then the classic literature it is also recorded in other historical litearture. The monks would bring the magic dagger and recite ancient incantations whilst delivering the Guman from the mothers womb '' Sitti deacho sitti jittung maha pooto mason tanung'' , when delivered the monk would talk to him, ''My boy I love you, come with me, I want you to be my son''.

The foetus had to be cremated in the area of the temple, and just like the classic literature, the monk would cover the ceiling with a white sheet, set lacquered stiocks in four directions, place holy white string, seven rounds and place cabalistic writing, Mongkul Praputtachao on the ceiling. A three legged stand tripod and a beam to put the baby were made of wood from trees called cassia nodosa. The monk had to be careful not to burn the body and complete the ceremony before dawn.. The following incantion was recited:

Suwanno Piyagumaro mahapooto mahittigo suppatisasu wattigo suppakamaesu kowaro suppachananung hateuyya mahatecho pawattigo ratanataya nupawaena ratanataya tedsa taewanung ittipalaena gumaro jamahittigo''

Translated, '' Guman Thong, with great power, you can travel to any place, into houses, our minds. You travel with the power of the three gems and the power of the gods. Finally the monk would close the ceremony with further incantations, and lacquer the body.

This process has nowadays been modified considerably, and most importantly no corpses are used in this process, the monk invites the spirit of Guman Thong to take up residence in the idol.

Today, Ajahn Yaem is one of only a few monks who possesses sufficiently strong mind power (and completed Nippansutra) capabale of creating efficacous Guman Thong. Ajahn Yaem, Wat Sam Ngam, Don Tum, is the disciple of Luang Phor Tae. It is said that his Guman Thong are equally as powerful as his mentors.

Ajahn Yaem meditates whilst creating Guman Thong asking that the King of death (Paya Mutijuraj) for permission to bring good spirits into his idols.

His guman are made from soil collcted from seven graveyarads, and Prai Guman Dust (childs bone dust) These are the most powerful Guman, using the inherent power of the spirit world, different to prai guman that simply use the power of the masters spell.

It is customary for all Guman issued by this temple to be named individually, this little boy is known as Caloensuk and has recetly been reblessed at wat sam Ngam where LP yaem tied the guman with Sai Sin