Luk Om-The Facts

LUK OM (Pong Praai) – Pra Khru Paowana Pirat (Thim Issariko)

THE FACTS – PART 1

The ‘ghost foetus powder’ or Pong Praai that Luang Pu Thim had used in making Luk Om was discussed in the book ‘History of Honours and Buddhist Amulets of Luang Pu Thim Issariko (Pra Khru Paowana Pirat of Wat Lahanrai, Rayong):

‘Mr Sai Kaewsawang, residing at Tambon Lahanrai, Amphoe Ban Khai, Rayong, is related in that, besides being a warden of Wat Lahanrai, he also is Luang Pu Thim’s grandson. Mr Sai said that one day Luang Pu had called upon him and other two to three disciples and asked whether they had ever come across a corpse of a pregnant woman.

Based on ancient texts, it had to be a corpse of the woman who died on Saturday and whose cremation ceremony was set on Tuesday. The foetus’ cremated skull had to be removed to make the ghost foetus powder.

Mr Sai Kaewsawang searched and found that such a cremation was to take place at Wat Lahanrai’s graveyard. Mr Sai said that he had had to go to the graveyard by himself, performing a ceremony to force down spirits at the base of the funeral pyre whilst removing the foetus skull.

He was advised that after the removal he was to never look back until out of the graveyard area. After removing the foetus skull, he gave it to Luang Pu Thim so that he could recite spells for 7 nights to force down spirits

The skull was then handed to Mr Sai to pound into powder. Mr Sai recounted that he had purchased a large stone mortar for this purpose and that whilst pounding fire flared up from the mortar, a shock to both himself and the other disciples He went on to say that he had no fear being an adept at magic.

He continued to pound the mortar and after a further three strikes the mortar itself broke in two. Again allk present were shocked and sought Luang Phor Tim for help and advice.

He immediately ordered that joss sticks be lighted and prayers be offered asking the foetus for forgiveness before continuing.

Mr Sai and company followed the order and the skull was pounded into powder without further event. When completed, Luang Phor Tim brought numerous other sacred powders including Itthi Pathamang powder, Prawai powder, wishing crystal powder, powder from 108 hems and many others, to combine with the skull powder.’

This ghost foetus powder was used by Luang Pu Thim to make both Pra Khun Paen and Luk Om.

There are many inaccurate accounts of the creation of this powder which can be found all over the internet and indeed in many books.

This unfortunately is a result of an interview given by Ajahn Sackorn, principle disciple of Luang Phor Tim. When asked how did Luang Phor Tim make the “Ghost foetus Powder” he replied:

”It originated from a temple warden planning to make Khun Paen amulets. He consulted with Luang Pu Tim but was given no advice. As a result the warden created a number of template pims and again asked which should he make. The purpose of creation was to raise funds as the temple at that time was surrounded by Jungle and required urgent repair.”

He was asked again if Luang Pu Thim was the one who had suggested the use of the ‘ghost foetus powder’ in making these pims? Ajahn Sackorn replied;

 “No, it was the disciples. Luang Pu Thim was consulted as to whether it could be done. He said yes, if they were able to supply the powder, he could make it for them. His disciples, therefore, acquired the powder.” He further added that “Mr Poon, the temple’s undertaker at that time, was the one who supplied the ghost foetus powder made from the ‘tongue’ and the ‘hair’, no skull was used”

He was also asked whether the disciples were the ones who had manipulated the creation? He replied;

 “They were, Luang Pu Tim gave no assistance. They acquired it by resuming the body from the ground, clipping the hair, and cutting the tongue. After roasting the powder was created by potent magic incantation”

He stated that the addition of foetus powder was unnecessary and it was only added for marketing purposes. The Luk Om and Khun Paen pims created by Luang Pu Thim were tested by firing a gun at them. It is said that the Khun Paen amulets could not be hit and the gun would not even fire at the Luk Om