Phra Somdej Toh (Archan Toh), known formally as Phra Buddhachan Toh Phromarangsi, was one of the most famous Buddhist monks during Thailand's Rattanakosin Period and continues to be the most widely known monk in Thailand. He is widely revered in Thailand as a monk who said he possessed magical powers, and his amulets are widely sought. Archan Toh is addressed among all devotees. He was named "Toh" before his monkhood and then "Phromarangsi" as his ordination name. At 12, he was ordained as a novice monk at Wat Intharawihan temple in Bangkok.
Archan Toh studied the Buddhist scriptures of the Pāli Canon with several Buddhist masters at Chao Khun Arunyik Institute. Later, he moved to Wat Rakang temple to further his studies of topics in Buddhist philosophies. After becoming a well-known monk, he became the preceptor for Prince Mongkut; when Prince Mongkut became a monk, he later became the King of Rama IV. During Rama IV's reign, the King gave Archan Toh the ceremonial name Somdej Phra Buddhacarya, and he used to be one of his trusted advisers. One day, when Archan Toh was reading his holy book, a mysterious Sanskrit scripture textbook fell before him; he picked up the book and randomly read it.
He immediately felt a large beam of divine light flashing around him and was blissful. Due to this response, Archan Toh decided to have the text translated into the Pali language, with his specialization in the scripture text. He then compiled the Chinabanchorn scriptures; the book consolidated the divine powers of the Buddha, the Arahants, and the Immortals from Heaven to protect those who recite the text of the scriptures. From that time, Archan Toh became famous in Thailand as a monk who possessed magical powers, meditated on Chinabanchorn scriptures, and prayed to create the amulets called Phra Somdej. Most Phra Somdej amulets generally do not have eyes, noses, and mouths.
The Buddha image in Phra Somdej seated on the three-level throne represents Heaven, people, and Earth. However, the Phra Somdej amulet later appeared with five, seven, nine, and ten-level thrones, as well as thirteen, but the concept of the throne is still the same. Heaven, people, and Earth are meant to remind one to be humble, and God's nature planned everything. Thai People believed that amulets created in Phra Somdej's image or either the creator Archan Toh's master hold excellent protection against negative energy and danger, enhance people's relationships, enhance marriage relationships, improve health, free and save from evil forces, block disasters, and strengthen our career by adjusting the human aura field. Most importantly, it can bring peace to different walks of life.
Phra Somdej amulet was made from five sacred powders: Pattamung powder, Itthijae powder, Maharaj powder, Buddhakhun powder, and Trinisinghae powder. These five sacred ingredients were added to the substance with incantations of holy scripture, the writing of sutras, and sacred symbols. The dusting powder gathered thus signifies the spiritual power of the ritual, mixed with holy water and made by pressing the pure dust powder into an amulet mold and putting it sun-dried. Phra Somdej amulets can also be made of temple soils, pollen, monk's hair, the holy robe worn by the monk, etc.
