Knowing Phra Pidta - definition of Phra Pidta

Knowing Phra Pidta - definition of Phra Pidta
In fact there is no “Phra Pidta” this noun. It is just a posture of this statue covering its face. 
And in Thailand, people would call it Phra Pidta as “pidta” means the posture of 
covering eyes. In the long run, people called this statue as “Phra Pidta”

Phra Pidta is always seen with posture of two hands covering its face, which means 
that covering the six roots of sensations: eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and desire to
 free from human desire & passion.  

Phra pidta made by Achan Jek from Wat Khao Daeng Tawan Tok


3 types of Phra Pidta
1.Maha Ut (squatting) means unborn fetus posture of Buddha. 
The squatting posture is to close the 9 orifices of body.

2. Phra Pakawan (meditating): refers to Niort Buddha in meditating posture. 
The word "Pakawan" in Thai dictionary means to describe the posture 
of Buddha bowing his head to obscure the 9 orifices. There was also a
phorism of "bowing head like Phra Pakawan" which refers to the little 
girl that loves to act unreasonably.

The 9 orifices: 
Eyes(2), ears (2), nostrils (2), mouth, urethra and anus.

3. Phra Pakhawambodi (meditate with both hands position): refers to 
Pidta in meditation position with both hands covering face. It is used to
 enhance relationship with others & wealth.

The three types of Phra Pidta are divided into the civil & martial types, 
with different functions. However, many people mistaken that all Phra Pidtas 
are the same. In the following context, we will tell the differences 
among these Phra Pidtas.


1. Maha Ut
Typically materials contain lead and mercury.

Eg. Phra Pidta made by Luang Phor Dam from Wat Kuti are in squatting posture, 
and look like a 3-month fetus form. (Picture 1).
   Luang Phor Chui from Wat Tha Phra (Picture 2); Achan Jek from 
Wat Khao Daeng Tawan Tok (Picture 3), and Luang Phor Ban from 
Wat Bang Hei also made Phra Pidta in "puk pao" edition. 

(Picture 1) LP Dam’s Phra Pidta            

(Picture 2) LP Chui’s Phra Pidta Kunbon

Achan Jek’s "puk pao" edition Phra pidta 

 

2. Phra Pakawan
Another type of Phra pidta is resembling the Niort Buddha in meditation posture. 
What is different from Maha Ut is that Phra Pakawan does not have to obscure all the 9 orifices  
The nostrils (breath), mouth (drink), urethra and anus (toileting) could be uncovered. 
The meditation of Niort Buddha is not the static type of meditation but dynamic 
meditation which includes walking, standing, sitting and lying, in contemplative way
 without closing the eyes and able to see through world’s greed, discontentment & 
fascination. It could aware of the surrounding changes with clear & focus mind.

If one meditates with eyes closing, it is known as the "Micha" meditation, which is 
different from the general type of meditation. This type of meditation wouldn't discriminate
 other religions and would absorb all the energy no matter it is .from decent or dark faction.  

In Ceylon, there was a monk named Buddhagosa. In his book "Visuddhimagga", 
there were many postures of "micha" meditation recorded, which were meditate in 
eyes closing postures, and up to 40 types above.

Luang Phor Klun’s Phra pidta, Wat Khao Hor (Phra Pakawan)

Niort Buddha’s meditation style was originated from Buddha’s 16 stages in 
Anapanasati form of meditation, which means to feel the sensations caused by 
the movements of the breath in the body, as is practiced in the context of mindfulness.
The meditation could be in walking, standing, sitting or lying down postures. 
For lying meditation posture, the correct way is lying to the right side of body.

Phra Paang Tawai Netr meditation posture


Buddha's meditation form

At the beginning, Buddha learnt practice from 2 yogis. Both the yogis had already 
been practiced till the state of nirvana in the four dhyanas and eight samadhis. 
Therefore, their souls could be out of body and even some could fly in the sky. 
However, they did not have the knowledge to practice Buddhahood.

When Buddha left the 2 yogis, he continued to practice until he became Buddha. 
He looked at east with eyes opened continuosly for 7 days and nights This posture 
of Buddha was later known as Phra Paang Tawai Netr.

If you have doubt on how the monks meditate, you can search and will see that Buddhas
 in walking, sitting, standing, or lyding down postures meditate with eyes open. 
Those with eyes closing are meditation form of the 4 dhyanas & 8 samadhis.
On the other hand, the eyes which open are from the 16 stages in Anapanasati meditation form.

Some masters do not follow the original image of Maha Ut during the making 
of Phra Pidta’s amulet. Therefore, there are some Maha Ut’s posture different
 from the Pidta’s, and using both palms to cover the face (Picture 4). 
For example, such as Phra Hu Yan (Lop Buri).

Picture 4  Luang Pu Nark’s Phra Pidta

Many people thought that Phra Pidta could not help in wealth gaining. But if you 
had worshiped Phra Pidta from Luang Phor Thap in Wat Thong (Wat Suwannaram) 
and Luang Phor Iam in Wat Nang, you do not have to get too many, around 20 pieces 
each would be fine, and you will discover that you don’t have to worry about money
for the rest of your life by owning this type of Phra Pidta.

   

Luang Phor Tab(หลวงพ่อทับ)Pidta Wat Anongkaram

Some masters might want to make Maha Ut, but the outcome seemed to be in Niort Buddha posture.
 In this case you call this type of phra pidta as "Phra Pakawan".

There are Phra pidta made from metals materials, such as Phra pidta by Luang Phor Tab in 
Wat Anongkaram, Luang Pu Nak from Wat Huay Jorake & etc.

  

Luang Pu To’s Phra Pidta Rune Plod Ni batch


3.Phra Pakhawambodi

Phra Pakhawambodi is with both hands covering face posture, mainly to help in 
enhance relations with others, attract wealth, and avoid disasters. It belongs to the 
civil type of Phra Pidta while Maha Ut and Phra Pakawan belong to the martial type. 
Both Maha Ut & Phra Pakawan are to enhance self-protection and avoid the evils. 
The materials to make these two types of Phra Pidta are different too. 
The martial type is made from metal composites while the other is the mainly 
made from mixture of scripture ash & holy soil.

 

Phra Pakhawambodi is mentioned in Buddha’s story. He was one of the earliest 
disciples of Buddha. He was from a wealthy family. He ordained as monk with his 
another friend and was later became an Arahan. Phra Pakhawambodi used to stop 
the flooding & his great deeds was praised by the immortals & human world. 
Therefore, people made & worship Phra Pakhawambodi by referring to its 
clean & pure six roots of sensations, and to protect from harm & be safe.    

  

  

Por Than Mui’s Phra Pidta, Wat Pa Rakam Nuea 

There is another saying of Phra pidta as the incarnation of Phra Sankachai. Phra Sankachai’s 
body shape is similar with Buddha. Many people or even deities would mistaken it as 
Buddha when seeing Phra Sankachai coming in from far. Phra Sankachai looks blissful
 and is very pleasing. Therefore, there were also people called it as "Kwambodi" 
(meaning similar body shape with Buddha) 

Por Than Kling’s Phra Pidta, Wat Thalung Thong


In short, there are 3 types of Phra Pidta:
1.Maha Ut‧Phra Pidta: closing the 9 orifices, with posture of unborn fetus in womb
2.Phra Pakawan‧Phra Pidta: Niort Buddha in meditation posture.
3.Phra Pakhawambodi‧Phra Pidta: both hands covering face meditation posture, 
can enhance relations with others & attract wealth


Although Phra Pidta are divided into the above mentioned types, but 
every Phra Pidta’s main effects are still depending on the master who 
made it and the purposes it serves.


Source : 

http://www.tumsrivichai.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=538710568&Ntype=52

http://www.taradpra.com/itemDetail.aspx?itemNo=784332&storeNo=6439

http://www.wisonin.com/index.php/section-table/webmaster5/188-2012-02-11-11-33-00

More articles available in http://www.luckybobi.com/info/