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#Post#: 309--------------------------------------------------
Phra Pidta
By: Toii Date: October 14, 2018, 7:21 am
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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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