The arahant "Phra Upakut" is highly venerated by worshippers in Myanmar, Khmer, and Northern Thailand. Legend has it that Phra Upakut was born 200-or-so years after Buddha entered complete nirvana, and after becoming a monk practiced meditation under the sea.
Ashoka carried on the construction of many stupas for conserving Buddha's relics and helped organize the Third Buddhist council. The construction of stupas would cost many years and might encounter the disturbing by Mara, a devil king who rules over the Sixth Desire Heaven. Most monks and deities dared not to guard the construction work; therefore, the sangha (monk assembly) sent two senior monks into the sea to ask for help of Phra Upakut, who agreed their request and successfully subdued Mara and converted Mara to Buddhism.
In Thailand, Phra Upakut is also known as "Phra Bua Khem" (Thai: พระบัวเข็ม, meaning "Lotus Buddha with needles"). Thai Yuan people in Northern Thailand still believe that Phra Upakut is still alive and on a full-moon Wednesday night would become a novice monk to beg for alms; consequently there is a tradition in some Northern Thai regions that people give alms at night.
The debut of Phra Upakut amulets in Thailand came in the reign of King Rama III (the mid-19 century) that a Mon monk from Khmer brought Phra Upakut amulets to Thailand and presented them to King Rama IV, who then was still a monk.
Phra Upakut amulets are distinguishable in its representation of Phra Upakut practicing Buddhism under the deep sea: lotus leaves covering on his head; images of aquatic animals like fish, crab, shrimp, and shell surrounding the pedestal.
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Images of aquatic animals like fish, crab, shrimp, and shell surrounding the pedestal
At times in some Phra Upakut statues small bumps called "needles" are visible. These bumps might come in the form of 3, 5, 7, or 9 bumps and are believed to be the indication of the place where Buddha or Arahant's relics were hidden.
Phra Upakut statues with small bumps ("needles") on the body
The efficacy of Phra Upakut includes wealth attraction, good fortunes, safety, happiness, and protection.
People could enshrine Phra Upakut by placing the statue into a plate with shallow water and jasmine flowers, which imitates the environment of Phra Upakut's practicing Buddhism under the sea. And the Phra Upakut statue should be placed below a Buddha statue because the rank of Arahant is lower than the Lord Buddha.
Source: http://www.komchadluek.net
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